May 23 (Friday), Pre-Northwestern Minnesota MBW trip planning

Drive time from Minneapolis to Thief River Falls: 5 hours 49 minutes with no stops.

Trip Goals: A selection of distractions as I race toward retirement and new meaningful activities:

- Add MOU “dots” to my map.

- Bird State Parks for my scratch off poster

- Hike a State Park Hiking Club Trail for my Hiking Club prize

- Increase my Four Corner County Rank on MOU

- Add to my Minnesota eBird Life List

- Remain useful to Kim and Craig, and others on the MBW

- Get outside

- Spend time with “my people” to borrow Frank’s term

- Learn more about Minnesota

Cass County (MOU dot already w/16 birds)

The temptations of spring birding are myriad. Two Sandhill Cranes feeding at the edge of Hwy 64 was too much to just drive by. I took the next right and parked the car. A Ruffed Grouse drummed in the distance, Sedge and Marsh Wrens and a Yellow-throated Vireo were all present. I watched the Bobolinks flutter over the field before forcing myself back to the goals I had laid out for myself. Kim has said the hardest job he has as leader is being a timekeeper. I get that.

1st stop: Beltrami County

eBird species: 0

State Park: Lake Bemidji State Park (3 hours 44 minutes)

“This impressive landscape, protected as a park in 1923, is the result of the last stage of glaciation in Minnesota. Many of the swamps and bogs formed when chunks of ice separated from the receding glacier and left depressions that later filled with water.”

Bog Walk Trail (Hiking Club Trail) Flat • Gravel • Boardwalk Follow a winding boardwalk through a spruce/tamarack bog to view pitcher plants, sundews, orchids, and other plants all without disturbing the fragile bog. 1.25 miles one way.”

I stopped to visit my friend, Scott, near Bemidji (Beltrami County), who while not yet an avid birder, has sent me pictures of birds at his feeders. He and his partner, Nim, welcomed me to their beautiful lake home conveniently located near the state park. We walked around the property seeing and hearing American Redstart, Ovenbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and several other species. I met Scott’s son, Jake, who related that his professor at St. John’s University, in Collegeville, MN (Kim’s alma mater) required them to learn all the bird calls. I also learned that his friend, Tim Mitchell, is the DNR Loon Program Coordinator. Many family candidates as future birders. Nim made such a delicious lunch that I knew I needed a nap or hike before driving to Thief River Falls. Thankfully, Lake Bemidji State Park was minutes away. At the end of the bog walk is Big Bog Lake created by lakefill and peat separating it from Lake Bemidji. Here I witnessed a Common Loon exhibiting strange behavior. Diving, thrashing, rolling, wing flapping and bill preening went on for several minutes. I learned later, from Tim, this is normal preening behavior. I ticked off the Hiking Club password and enjoyed my walk back to the truck passing pitcher plants and other typical bog flora. Close looks at Pine Warbler was a great FOY bird. I picked up a Pileated Woodpecker and Eastern Bluebird to get to 35 species before entering Clearwater County.

2nd Stop: Clearwater County

eBird species: 0

No State Parks

By 5PM I was starting to weary of driving and I thinking about getting to TRF before dark. I defaulted to Kim’s book and headed to Clearbrook and the WTP ponds. The Black-billed Magpie was a fun bird to add to the list and I added 15 species, including Lesser Yellowlegs, and White-crowned Sparrow at the sewage ponds.

I decided that Pine Lake would be my last stop before getting to Red Lake County ensuring I could “add the dot” in three counties. I missed the turn and rerouted to the North Access. Boats on trailers were already present with more arriving, so I stood at the edge and added Common Loon and Forester’s Tern before quickly departing.

It was then that I received a call from Kim. “I cried wolf over a Stilt Sandpiper in SW Minnesota, but this is a breeding plumage bird. This is the real deal. Hold on just a second.” Talking to someone else: “You mean we have to leave now? OK.” Back to me. “Gotta go, they allowed us to enter the casino ponds but now his boss says we have to leave immediately. I’ll talk to you later.”

I immediately changed my plans and set my GPS to Seven Clans Casino. In Pennington County. Perhaps they would change their minds or maybe I would have to sneak in without telling Kim and Craig. A knotty problem knowing it might jeopardize my JTL status.

3rd Stop: Red Lake County

eBird species: 0

I could have ticked off a couple of birds at 60MPH but decided I would come back to the county at a later date. No time to waste when a rare bird is on your way.

Northwestern Minnesota MBW – Sat-Sun-Mon, May 24-25-26, 2025

COMFIRMED PARTICIPANTS (20)

Joel, Mariann, Ron, Frank, Charlie & Bonnie, Fran, Allison & Jeff, Doug, Bill & Esther, Yasushi & Naoko, Joann, Michelle, John, Howard, George, and Roy

LEADERS

Kim Eckert

Craig Mandel

(JTL Report Warning. This report is all over the map. Literally and figuratively.)

Possible Counties from TRF:

Pennington (TRF is in Pennington)

Red Lake (South)

Polk (West)

Marshall (North)

Clearwater (East)

Beltrami (East)

Kittson (North 1 hr.)

Koochiching County (Northeast only 2 hr. 20 min.) Ok, technically not Northwest.

Day 1 (Saturday, May 24): Pennington and Marshall Counties – What’s in a name?  

At 6:15AM sharp Kim introduced participants and worked through hard to pronounce names like MaryAnn, Mary Ann, or is it Marian (like the librarian?). Anyway, Mariann has participated in a multitude of Kim’s trips and provided a myriad of magnificent pictures while marrying her love of birding with photography. When you see her, or is it Cyr photographs, no introduction is required. Marvelous to have her along. Yasushi & Naoko, as first time MBW participants, would ride with Joel. Your JTL, married to the job, was reassigned to ride with Howard, Doug, and George. I’ve learned to remain merry and grateful in more challenging circumstances.

Bonnie and Charlie were introduced and recognized for joining the “Birding Club", a precursor to MBW’s, more than 40 years ago. Later I learned that Doug and Howard have participated since 1991 and 40-50 MBW’s. I wonder who holds the attendance record? Ron?

If you have not read my previous posts, you underestimate the complexity of the knotty issues our trip leaders deal with. Is the rare bird report a red herring (1) or is it not? First Kim and Craig were allowed into the Seven Clans Casino WTP, then they were not, then the fine print was read or not. If you had not read the text messages or received a phone call from the night before you would not understand. Several tied themselves in knots upon learning it was in breeding plumage. We would return to Seven Clans Casino WTP. Our bird was there, not concerned about a flock of scopes and cameras. Stunning in breeding plumage. Roy even got a picture published on the MOU website. You read it here, what’s not to like about a Red Knot.

Frankly speaking, Frank and I had seen it the night before along with Red-necked Phalaropes. We stood on the berm admiring the sunset and listening to the 20+ Bobolinks singing in the surrounding meadows. That was before the Merlin flew over. Magical.

Kim, would not rest however, reminding me that a leader is also a task master and a timekeeper. We had places to be. County lists to satisfy.

We made quick stop at Northland Trails in TRF adding Philadelphia Vireo to the trip list but warblers where in short supply.

Lake Agassiz (2) would play a significant role in our birding trip. It plays an outsized role in Minnesota history. Lake Agassiz was named after Louis Agassiz (3) by Warren Upham (4) another American geologist who moved to Minnesota in 1879. Spending some time on the geography of the former lake would likely increase my birding acumen.

We arrived at Agassiz NWR (5)– Farmes Pool (6) about 9:00AM. The NWR lies entirely in Marshall County. Exiting the cars, I decided to walk up the road to look for the LeConte’s Sparrow, possibly heard on the way in. I missed the Palm Warbler that I needed for the year. Life involves choices. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (6) helps explain some of the choices I make.

I was listening to the book, 101 Essays that will Change the way You Think by Brianna Wiest, (7) on the trip up and she describes the order this way...

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:

Highest Level: Happiness of Excellence

2nd Highest: Happiness of Grace

3rd Highest: Happiness of Pleasure

Birding is a path to self-actualization. It often begins with a spark bird. A moment of joyful awareness, then sought to be repeated. The pleasure of birding is to experience beauty and diversity. And the world they and we inhabit. As I told the classrooms of inner-city kids the other day – their wingspans can be three inches to over seven feet. Hummingbird nests can be cupped in your hand. Who isn’t amazed by a huge eagle nest. And bird colors exceed the rainbow when black, white, and brown are included in the spectrum.

As I pursue my potential, obstacles stand in my way. I chose to suffer. I climb over the next hill, walk around one more bend of the trail, wade the tick infested swamps, stand in scorching sun or pouring rain, strive harder to keep Kim happy. Why?

As the morning passed, we continued to the platform viewing area. As the Virgina Rail came into the call, we all surged to one side of the platform then down the stairs, like chasing an elusive rock star. It was surprisingly cooperative. It isn’t hard to understand how they survive when their colors allow them to disappear between a cattail. The Canvasback and Redheads, with their combination of red, black, were magnificent in the sunlight. The Least Bittern (calling), Sora (calling), and Ruffed Grouse (drumming), and the distance Red-necked Grebe, spotted by Yasushi, were all good additions to our Marshall County lists.

We worked our way along the road to the headquarters enjoying a flock of 35 Dunlin, one Lesser Yellowlegs, some Forester’s Terns. Lunch time at the Headquarters was next. One must address all levels of the hierarchy to achieve full enlightenment.

Howard bolted ahead of the group, and we arrived at Agassiz NWR – Headquarters. I wandered over to the brush and conifers. Tennessee Warblers were vocalizing. I added a yellow-rump and some Chipping Sparrows to my day list. We all admired the flock of 50+ Yellow-headed Blackbird massed around the feeders. Kim wandered off, seeking his own insights or a new county bird, while the rest of us ate lunch. His persistence call out of new birds finally convinced us to join him. Eastern Wood-Peewee, Blackpoll, Magnolia, Bay-breasted were great but the call of the Connecticut Warbler galvanized us in a cluster along the trail. We heard the song for several minutes, less than twenty feet away, but never got eyes on a great county bird. Good thing “a bird heard is a bird counted.”

With Kim’s encouragement we stopped at the “rarely productive” Makita’s Trail. A Veery was cooperative for the group. Frank and I wandered ahead flushing a Gray-cheeked Thrush. I had a positive ID, with the flat gray facial pattern, but as the group arrived it flew ahead. We found a Swainson’s with a distinct eye-ring, and I had to double check my confidence. I don’t know, maybe it was a Bicknell’s. Was the power of suggestion at work? I walked the entire quarter mile trail and enjoyed some time in an interesting savannah and mixed mature deciduous woods forest. Is it too small or too different from the surrounding environment to be attractive to birds?

We were on our way out of the refuge when car one called out Dunlin. They were fifteen feet from Kim’s car. As others exited their cars Doug called out Ruddy Turnstones. They were so close you could observe without binoculars. 190 or more Dunlin were counted as they flushed, circled, split up and landed with other shorebirds on both sides of the road.

By 4:30 we were back in Pennington County on our way to the Thief River Falls Sewage Ponds. The highlights were an American Avocet, Eared Grebes, and Bonaparte’s Gulls. A long productive day on my journey to the next level.

Red Lake County & Solitude, 0-16 species

As a functional introvert (8) I often need time to unwind after a long day of group birding. I had skipped Red Lake County on my way north to get to the Red Knot. I drove south out of TRF wandering backroads until I found a dead end minimum maintenance road. I opened my tailgate, made dinner on my campstove, and enjoyed sixteen new species, including a Pileated Woodpecker and two Sandhill Cranes silhouetted in the sunset. Only three more counties to obtain a “dot” on MOUMN.org – Koochiching, Mille Lacs, and Crow Wing. That’s the functional part. Get things done.

Day 2 (Sunday, May 25): Marshall and Kittson Counties – At the Beach

Why not Koochiching County? Yes, it’s another hour to the east but why Kittson? If you’re a self-respecting MOU’er and read the damn book you would know the answer. It’s a corner county! MOU has a Four Corners Composite Checklist. Guess who is the leader at 334 by thirteen birds? A GOAT record. Ron Erpelding has 298. Craig has 292. Bill Marengo has 292. Doug is at 269. Howard is at 267. Are you getting the picture? My little dot for Koochiching is irrelevant. We need a Piping Plover, Western Tanager, or a Painted Redstart. For some an Indigo Bunting was equivalent to “life bird.” Someday I will get to Koochiching. All by myself.

Lake Agassiz is perhaps the only beach you can visit where there is no water. Defining where the beaches requires paying attention to the landscape as we drive around the counties. As possibly the largest proglacial lake (9) in the world, at 170,000 square miles, it grew and receded multiple times from 8200 – 30,000 years ago. Deposits occurred as rocks, sand, and sediment settled or washed up on the beach. Or as Paleo-Indians kids threw rocks back into the water. As we drove around, I noticed a few things:

     1.     The change in elevation, while minor, does create different biomes.     2.     The gravel mining, for roads and other human endeavors occurred wherever there were beaches. I thought about the sand ending up underground again after being mined and trucked to North Dakota for fracking. Odd they way humans change the landscape, resolutely as glacier     3.     The number of rocks in the fields. Many looked like plovers or grouse or other interesting birds. The cost to farmers in plow blade and till wear must be extraordinary.

     4.     The lake continues to provide quality habitat precisely because “sand bars” and rocky “beaches” are not good for crop farming. But you know this already if you read the book.

At Newfolden WTP, Marshall County we found Ruddy Turnstones and Brewer’s Blackbird. The delight of a Ruddy Turnstone is the combination of easy identification and a modern art color pattern. A Brewer’s Blackbird is a more subtle study. As Craig has called them out and helped me identify them over several trips I’ve been purposefully to expand my identification from “grackle like, yellow eye, check” to observing the tail is neatly rounded at the tip, Brewer’s congregate with other birds, but they sit on the wires more upright, more tail down. Slimmer and longer than a cowbird. And the call note is one I can learn. I am pleased when my skills improve, and a Brewer’s has gone beyond a county tick in someone else’s scope.

The Red-headed Woodpeckers flew out from my side of the car on the way to Kittson County and Karlstad Sewage Lagoons. I was lucky to see them from the back seat. The 187th Marshall county bird for Doug. In the city of Karlstad Chimney Swifts fed on insects overhead.

A good start to our Kittson County list occurred at Karlstad Sewage Lagoons. I recorded thirty-four species, with a nice combination of shorebirds and other species. Under Craig’s leadership, after the group split, we added Brown Thrasher, Belted Kingfisher, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Osprey on the nest on the granary building, and Blackburnian Warbler on our way to Lake Bronson State Park. (10)

Kim’s group had reported Sharp-tailed Grouse which we relocated while the Flickertails (Richardson’s or Franklin’s?) watched us with caution. Kim’s group arrived at the drained Lake Bronson before our group, and we could hear good birds being called out over the radio. Several American Pipits were feeding in the silt basin with Purple Martins overhead. Semipalmated Plovers, Least, White-rumped, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Dunlin and more Ruddy Turnstones made up my shorebirds. One American White Pelican helped my Kittson (and maybe my corner composite) county list.

Birds are always a highlight but as the Cinnamon-colored Black Bear wandered across the dry lakebed all scopes turned to observe. It was far enough away that it was nonchalant about being out in the open. Frank reported the Kim’s group had seen a newborn fawn, making its first foray into the world. Frank’s observations of the natural world would qualify him as a possible junior, JTL (aka cub reporter).

“The first settlers in the area were the Giles Bronson family, three miles east of the town site in 1882, the post office of Percy being established on his farm with his wife, Maggie, as postmaster, and named for his home township in Ontario.” (11)

“When the region was without lakes, the drought of the 1930s caused wells to dry up in the area. Unable to sink deeper wells because of a layer of salt, it was thought the only solution for the future was to dam the South Fork Two River and create a sizeable artificial lake. Dam construction began in 1936. The dam and facilities were then turned over to the state of Minnesota and in 1937, the area became Two Rivers State Park. The park was renamed Lake Bronson State Park in 1945.” (12)

Lake Bronson has now been drained for the installation of the new dam, expected to be completed by July 2027. (13) We tried the Agitator and the Attractor at several places along the Kittson County Lake Bronson SP Bicycle Trail before walking across the dam construction site to a secret spot know for warblers. Frank called out Palm and I bushwacked my way to his location. We counted twenty-two species including Black-and-White, Magnolia, Canada, Blackpoll, Wilson’s and even a Yellow-rumped Warbler, before hearing over the radio we were being kicked out of the area by the ranger for safety concerns. It was a good time to break for lunch anyway.

I dawdled around during lunch and failed to walk the Hiking Club Trail where I am sure I could have added Wild Elk to my Minnesota mammal list. Greater attention to my hierarchy of needs might yield better outcomes.

At the Lancaster WTP, the Black-throated Green was a favorite and I enjoyed helping JoAnn relocate the Canada Warbler. From there we steered toward the attractively named Mar-Kit Landfill on our way to Hallock. Who knew birding could be so filled with interesting locations. If I see one more sewage pond… And why haven’t we added a cemetery? It was then that I experienced a third level of enlightenment that was revealed to me later. But first I must experience a second level of happiness.

Is it because occasionally Kim’s knotty issues get the best of him, and the curmudgeon comes out? As Howard blissfully reflected that Kittson County was where he ticked off his last of 87 county Blue Jays, I jotted down a few things that might make Kim unhappy:

- Failing to park ALL cars on one side of the road. This is for good reason and should ALWAYS be done for the safety of all participants.

- Driving around small towns looking for the last bird on someone’s 87 county list. Or maybe any county list. Unless it’s his county list. Then we go to Kittson instead of Koochiching.

- Calling a spruce or any other coniferous tree a Pine.

- Declaring Limpkin a casual species in Minnesota.

- Any reference to Blue Grosbeak and gravel pits in the same sentence, conversation, probably MBW.

- Not remembering his birthday is April 9th.

- “Power of Suggestion” I have the highest confidence that Craig did see a Swainson’s Hawk near the landfill but after a 15 minute lecture on the powers of suggestion, I’m questioning my identification of, well pretty much everything I saw.

Is it because Doug told me Hallock, MN is the birthplace of indoor hockey in 1894? No.

Howard, Doug, George, and I separated from the group and raced toward Hallock’s Sewage Ponds. The rest of the group, maybe seeking more liquid illumination, headed towards home.

2nd Highest: Happiness of Grace experience. I was a rider in a car I did not choose. As a passenger towards a destination I did not choose. There I was standing on the berm watching the 200+ shorebird murmuration in my binoculars, then realizing they were fleeing danger, I looked up and watched the Peregrine Falcon stoop. Down in plunged, slashing through the shorebirds, then racing back up through them again, and again, hungry and determined to find a meal. Then rising to soar over the ponds as the birds scattered. My grace was the awareness of my presence at a natural event of which I had no control, no power to change, and took place only in the fraction of time I was present. I was awed and grateful. And the whole group added several county birds.

Was the sacrifice the later recollection that I missed Old Mill State Park in Marshall County near Argyle? It would have taken only a moment of study, reflection, persuasion of my group to achieve another goal. I’ll never know.

Highest Level: Happiness of Excellence

According to Brianna Wiest, Happiness of Excellence is the highest form of happiness or actualization. When we pursue something great or good, and not just for the sake of achieving the goal but rather for the journey, for the engagement with others, courageously facing life’s challenges, and cognizant of the learning and effort necessary and openness to the grace required. It is about dedication to meaningful work over an extended period. Agreeing to and seeking out the pleasures, pains, fears, gambles, failures, gratitude, and grace filled moments along the way. Isn’t that birding?

Example A. As we drove from the Lancaster Sewage Ponds to the Mar-Kit Landfill we turned at Hawkyard Corner. (14) I laughed at the time, wondering what it meant. I smiled again when the discussion on the Swainson’s Hawk and the “power of suggestion” lecture occurred. As I researched my notes I tried to find the corner. Then as we left the landfill on our way to Hallock’s WTP we turned on Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway. What I can tell you is that Andrew Hawkyard (15) immigrated to Illinois from England and that William Hawkyard was born in Illinois and is buried in Kittson County. Perhaps the corner is where their homestead was located. Another Kittson County seeker, like Agassiz, Upham, and Eckhart. The happiness is an opportunity to continue my journey of exploration. Or maybe it’s an Alice in Wonderland trip.

Day 3 (Monday, May 26) Memorial Day, All Pennington County - Enlightenment

7:13 AM TRF WTP – 23 species

The Gray Partridge spotted by Yosushi was a great find for a MBW rookie and many county listers are now in his debt.

Kim’s nicely described the Willet in courtship display. My pleasure was listening to Roy insisting over the radio he hears it on Merlin. Twice. Then my frantic effort from behind the group, along the fence row, shouting it’s directly over my head. And I almost missed the Western Grebes as I was following the fence line looking for sparrows.

Example B: If you’ve made it this far, I mean literally, as this road is off the beaten track and you cannot easily Google it, and it is often impassible, and figuratively, as in my philosophical musings have taken strange turn, my second example of Happiness of Excellence is as follows:

After reading North Country, The Making of Minnesota by Mary Lether Wingerd, I gained a larger appreciation for the Pembina Trail and the people who lived here. As we had explored the beaches of Lake Agassiz and observed the gravel and rocks, between the swamps and silted landscape, I thought of the Metis, people of mixed European and North-American Indigenous parentage, driving oxcarts ladened with 500+ pounds of furs all the way to St. Paul. And returning to Canada with supplies. This was a hundred and fifty years ago. Perhaps long before Europeans, Lake Agassiz’s deposits were a highway for animals and people exploring Kittson County.

Unfortunately, we were on the Permbina Trail. Yes, that is correct. I was double-checking my notes. I discovered the typo. Or is it? I searched the internet. Just getting the search engines to search by Permbina is difficult. Craig Mandel’s eBird report came up with Permbina, and Permbina came up in the Michigan published PHD notes on a research paper on a fundamentalist religious sect in Pembina, ND. I saved that for later as my editorial deadline is long past due.

So, in my effort to achieve happiness, I thought of my boss, exploring this area, and all of Minnesota, before the internet, then typing the directions, confirming and correcting. Here is my JTL effort.

     •     To get to the Permbina Trail you leave TRF headed west on State Hwy 1 (70th Ave NW), turn left (south) on Pembina Trail NW, turn right on 150th St NW, go 1.1 miles to 195th Ave NW, turn left. Follow 195th Ave NW for 1.1 mile, where the Permbina Trail begins and runs for approximately 2.5 miles until joining 205th Ave NW. Now you can maybe turn left, and return to the other Pembina Trail that leads to the Pembina WMA. Or follow 205th Ave NW and turn left on Center Street W (County Hwy 3), enjoying a ½ mile of two-fer birding (Polk and Pennington) to return to County Hwy 10 (which is the intersection of Pembina Trail NW and SW). Are you enlightened? No, here’s the GPS coordinates for you modern kids: 48°03'18.4"N 96°28'52.9"W.

It was along the Permbina Trail, near Goose Lake that my hard work at achieving birding excellence of happiness paid off. If I had to pick a favorite bird, and this is like choosing your favorite MBW tour leader, cuckoo would be at the top of the list. Perhaps there is a message here. Never mind. So would Scarlet Tanager. I don’t remember which came first, the tanager or the cuckoo? Does it matter how you reach enlightenment? Remember it is the journey that matters to me. Kim heard the Black-billed Cuckoo first and started to play the call, as we walked out into the field toward the row of trees below the high point of the gravel beach of Lake Agassiz the tanager perched and then flew. In the next moment, the cuckoo flew into the open. The bird is most lovely when it flies, a long slender tail with the beautiful white tips visible on the underside so subtle trailing along as the bird floats briefly before disappearing back into the trees. We had long enough looks to see the red eye as it replied to the tape.

We added several other good birds along the Permbina, including Joel’s spot of the Olive-sided Flycatcher, (probably on 195th) but I hold this Goose Lake experience as a highlight of the trip. Is it relevant that the I had goosebumps near Goose Lake? No. Have I solved the mystery of why this section is named Permbina? I remember the grace I felt the first time I heard say Kim say “I don’t know” about a bird identification.

A brief stop at Higinbotham WMA did not yield the warblers seen by Craig and company a few days before but another Scarlet Tanager was a nice bird.

By noon we at St. Hilarie Park, a forgettable WTP and unexplored near oxbow of the Red Lake River. We said goodbye to some, and Howard drove us back to TRF to pick up our cars and trucks.  

Pushing my luck, I returned to Seven Clans Casino to see if my JTL karma would lead me to Kim’s lost radio. No radio. No Red Knot. But several Ruddy Turnstones were present.

I returned to Red Lake County and Red Lake Falls WTP adding 39 species including Marbled Godwit before the long drive home to record my journey.

Mammal List: Chipmunk, Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrel, Black Bear, White-tailed Deer, Flickertail, White-tailed Jackrabbit (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/whitetailedjackrabbit.html)