Winter is perfect for bird watching - spot owls, finches and unusual ducks enjoying the chill winter air!



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The Wild Times: Winter 2024
Snowshoe hare sits on a bed of snow.

This quarterly newsletter will give you updates on the great work going on for wildlife conservation across the state and some tips on how to get involved.


* Featured species: Bufflehead [ #link_1 ]
* Christmas Bird Count begins Dec. 14 [ #link_3 ]
* Working for wildlife [ #link_4 ]
* Meet the staff: Lake, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford counties [ #link_6 ]
* Winter finch frenzy [ #link_10 ]
* 50 Years of Michigan’s endangered species law [ #link_9 ]
* Iconic owls on the 'Wildtalk' podcast [ #link_7 ]
* The do’s and don’ts of winter bird feeding [ #link_8 ]
* Events/Volunteer [ #link_17 ]
* Grants/Jobs [ #link_5 ]
* Support/NRC [ #link_2 ]

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Featured species: Bufflehead
A male and female bufflehead swim.

The bufflehead [ [link removed] ], one of our smallest ducks, is a lively and energetic diver, often seen in pairs or small groups during the winter. These ducks prefer sheltered bays, lakes, ponds and slow-moving rivers, where they dive for small invertebrates. Males are easily identified by their unique, puffy-shaped "buffalo head," which gives the species its name, and their striking iridescent plumage. Females, though lacking the iridescence, have large, rounded heads and a distinctive oval, white cheek patch.

Buffleheads are quick to take flight with rapid wingbeats, making them a fun species to observe. Their energetic feeding habits and social behavior make them a favorite among birdwatchers. They are most commonly seen in winter, diving for food and occasionally calling to each other during the breeding season. With their charming appearance and dynamic behavior, buffleheads are a delight to spot in their natural habitat.

Get ready - more weird ducks are coming soon

Winter is coming, which marks the return of our "weird" and wonderful winter ducks. From the bufflehead to the colorful northern shoveler and the quirky American wigeon, Michigan's wetlands will be filled with their special quirks (and quacks).  Learn more about these winter visitors and how to identify some of our favorite species. ► [ [link removed] ]

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Christmas Bird Count begins Dec. 14
Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Audubon invites volunteers to participate in the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. For more than a century, bird enthusiasts have participated in the world's longest-running bird census to spend time with their communities and provide information that helps scientists protect birds and the places they need. This winter, join tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers and participate in a Michigan count! Get more information, find a count near you, and sign up today for the Christmas Bird Count [ [link removed] ].

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Working for wildlife

The fall is a bustling season for Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division staff as we tackle a variety of projects across the state! From hunting season operations to invasive species treatments, our team is hard at work. Take a look at some of the activities that have kept us busy this season.

Wildlife Division employees, Colter Lubben and Joe Sage, check in a ten-point white-tailed buck.

Wildlife biologist *Joe Sage* (left) and wildlife technician *Colter Lubben* check in a 10-point buck at the DNR Deer Weight Contest hosted in partnership with U.P. Whitetails Association - Menominee River Chapter at Kuber's Feed Mill in Menominee.

Wildlife technician, Rachel Kanaziz, treats hemlock trees for hemlock woolly adelgid.

Wildlife technician *Rachel Kanaziz* treats hemlock trees for hemlock woolly adelgid at Pentwater State Game Area. To learn more about this invasive species, visit the hemlock woolly adelgid webpage [ [link removed] ] and tune into the December "Wildtalk" podcast [ #link_7 ].

Wildlife biologist, Angela Kujawa, registers and elk during the fall elk season.

Wildlife biologist *Angela Kujawa* registers an elk during the first hunt period of the 2024 elk hunting season. 

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Meet the staff: Lake, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford counties

Wildlife biologist, Vern Richardson.

*Vern Richardson* has been a wildlife biologist with the DNR Wildlife Division since 2010. Based out of the Cadillac Customer Service Center, Vern oversees wildlife management in Lake, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford counties. When asked about his favorite part of working for the Wildlife Division, Vern shared his passion for helping people address challenges with wildlife by better understanding of the species involved.



Wildlife technician, Angela Herban.

*Angela Herban* has been a wildlife technician with the DNR since April 2016, bringing over 8.5 years of experience to her role. Based at the Baldwin Field Office, Angela oversees wildlife management in Lake, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford counties. Her favorite part of working for the Wildlife Division is conducting wildlife surveys and waterfowl banding, with spring bird surveys for grouse and woodcock among her favorites. Angela appreciates the crisp early mornings when the woods awaken and the spring evenings that offer lots of opportunities to catch sight or sounds of different species such as whip-poor-wills and owls.



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Winter finch frenzy
Evening grosbeak sits on a snow covered branch.

As winter begins across the Great Lakes region, bird watchers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of winter finches. It’s not every year that winter finches leave their breeding grounds in the boreal forests, but this year we’re expecting an irruption of some species, like the purple finch, redpoll and evening grosbeak. These finches depend on berries and tree cones of the boreal forest for food each winter. When there is not enough food, or when crops get depleted through the winter, these birds will migrate (or irrupt!) outside of their usual wintering grounds and into the Great Lakes region, including Michigan. Learn how to identify, find and attract some of these winter gems. [ [link removed] ]► [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

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50 Years of Michigan’s endangered species law
Karner Blue butterfly video thumbnail. [ [link removed] ]

This September marked the 50th anniversary of Michigan’s Endangered Species Act [ [link removed] ] being signed into law, a milestone that highlights the state’s commitment to protecting its rarest plants and animals. 

One of those species is the Karner blue, one of North America's rarest butterflies. The Karner blue is federally endangered and threatened in Michigan. With ongoing threats to this and other species' survival, this anniversary serves as a reminder of our commitment to conserving the state’s natural heritage.

To learn more about the Karner blue's journey, the challenges it faces and the vital work being done to protect it, click the thumbnail photo above. 

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Iconic owls on the 'Wildtalk' podcast

Wildtalk Podcast mugs

The "Wildtalk" podcast is back with its final episode of 2024! In this December episode, we talk to wildlife biologist Pete Kailing about all things habitat in the southwest Lower Peninsula, fly away with great horned owls as we talk all things feathers and discuss the color-changing short-tailed weasel in our “all things fur” segment. 

Don’t forget to submit your answer to our “Mug Me” trivia question for your chance to win a "Wildtalk" podcast camp mug! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. [ [link removed] ]

If you enjoy learning about the great horned owl – check out these winter visitors, too!

Winter is the perfect time to spot some of Michigan’s most elusive and fascinating visitors – owls from the boreal forests and Arctic tundra! From the mighty great gray owl to the stealthy snowy owl, our state welcomes a variety of northern owl species that thrive in the colder months. Want to know which owls to expect and where to find them? Check out MI Birds' guide to winter owls. [ [link removed] ]► [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

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The do’s and don’ts of winter bird feeding
A blue jay sits on a bird feeder during a snow storm.

Blue jays, red-breasted nuthatches and northern cardinals are just a few of the many winter birds that provide a burst of color and activity across Michigan’s stark winter landscape. Bird feeders can help attract birds to your space during the winter, when natural food sources might be buried beneath snow or limited in supply. Here are some tips on how best to feed birds safely this winter. [ [link removed] ]► [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]

For residents in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, most black bears should be tucked away in their winter dens, and it is unlikely they will visit your bird feeder. However, on sunny days bears may emerge temporarily. If you find a bear has visited your bird feeder, consider taking the feeder down to prevent reoccurring visits from the bear through the winter and early spring.

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Events/Volunteer

*Jan. 11:* Join us for a habitat stewardship day at Gourdneck State Game Area in Kalamazoo County. This MUCC On the Ground event is held in partnership with the DNR and City of Portage Parks and Recreation. *Register by Jan. 10. [ [link removed] ]*




Grants/Jobs

DNR jobs [ [link removed] ]

DNR grants [ [link removed] ]

More ways to get involved with the DNR [ [link removed] ]

 




Support/NRC

Purchase a Kirtland's warbler wildlife habitat license plate [ [link removed] ] or donate directly to the Nongame Fund [ [link removed] ] to help protect Michigan’s most vulnerable species.





"Learn more: Michigan.gov/Wildlife [ [link removed] ]"


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