The black-capped chickadee is an expert at staying cozy in cold temperatures – shivering and contracting opposite muscle groups to stay warm, and even lowering its body temperature at night and entering regulated hypothermia to conserve energy. These birds are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders, carrying sunflower seeds to store in tree bark for later, when food is scarce.

How to ID: This small and lively bird has a black cap and bib, gray back and buff (yellowish-brown) wash on its sides.

The downy woodpecker uses its small size to its advantage, feeding on weed stalks and drilling into trees to create roosts to keep warm during cold winter nights.

How to ID: This is the smallest woodpecker in North America, between the size of a robin and sparrow. It has a white back, a black-and-white striped face, and a very short, stubby bill. Male “downys” also have a red spot on the nape (back of the neck).

How to ID: The male cardinal is unmistakable and is our only red bird with a crest. The female isn’t as bright in color, but shares the crest, massive pink-orange bill and long tail of the male.

Want to learn more about these and other winter birds and where to find them? Read the full story brought to you by MI Birds, an outreach and education program presented by the DNR and Audubon Great Lakes. Happy winter birding!

Questions? Contact Nicole Minadeo at 419-308-4846.

A note about bird health: While the birds mentioned above are not as susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza as scavenging wild birds (e.g., eagles, hawks and owls), do keep an eye out for any dead birds and report die-offs of six or more birds through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app. HPAI is a highly contagious respiratory virus suspected in recent waterfowl die-offs in Lower Michigan. Learn more at the DNR’s HPAI webpage.

Whether you’re planning to hit the slopes, tackle the trails or simply soak up some snow time in the great outdoors, sign up now for the Pure Michigan Snow Report to receive weekly updates that will include snowfall predictions, recreation opportunities, seasonal events and weatherproof fun throughout both peninsulas.

“The DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, which oversees our statewide trails system, relies on input and guidance from residents to help us maintain, improve and grow the thousands of miles of motorized and nonmotorized trails in communities around the state,” said Tim Novak, state trails coordinator. “We’re excited to share these workgroup openings and continue the work of providing outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy and explore, efforts that help elevate Michigan’s reputation as the Trails State.”

Positions are available on both the Nonmotorized Advisory Workgroup, or NAW, and the Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Workgroup, also known as ORVAW. Both groups are subcommittees of the Michigan Trails Advisory Council, assisting with the council’s duties and responsibilities and providing the DNR advice related to the creation, development, operation and maintenance of the state’s designated trails system.

ORVAW: Four new positions are available for this workgroup following passage of new bylaws that expanded the committee from seven to 11 members. These four-year-term positions include one ORV safety instructor representative, one full-size vehicle user representative and two at-large representatives. ORVAW also meets on a quarterly basis. Fill out this application to apply for ORVAW positions.

Applications will be accepted through March 15.

Questions? Contact Tim Novak at 517-388-8347.

The day starts at 9:30 a.m. in the Michigan Room, first floor of Lansing Community College’s Downtown Campus, 600 N. Grand Ave. in Lansing. (Parking is available on first floor in the ramp.) See the draft meeting agenda and remaining 2025 meeting dates at Michigan.gov/NRC.

For more information or to request time to speak at the meeting, email [email protected].

This season, these elusive visitors have been seen across the state. While exciting for us, these visits to Michigan can pose unfamiliar threats to the owls. Unfamiliar urban landscapes put them at risk from curious humans, rodent poisoning, and vehicle and power line collisions.

Here are a few quick tips for viewing these majestic visitors, while helping to keep them stress-free and safe:

• Give them space. When snowy owls visit Michigan in winter, they don’t often display signs of fear toward humans. A good rule of thumb is to view the owls from a great distance, using binoculars or a scope, rather than approach them.
• Don’t lure owls with audio recordings. While it might be tempting to use audio recordings to attract snowy owls closer to you, hearing another owl’s call – even a recorded one – can be stressful to them.
• Don’t lure owls with live bait. This practice can be dangerous for owls when it’s done by photographers and birders looking to get a glimpse. Owls learn to associate people with food and can be drawn to dangerous places, like roads or airports, where people can be found.
• Submit your eBird observations to scientists but keep them hidden from the public. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to keep your eBird checklist hidden and why discretion is sometimes needed to protect certain birds, like owls.

If that sounds like your dream adventure, grab three friends and apply to the 2025 Lighthouse Keeper Program at Tawas Point Lighthouse located in Tawas Point State Park. Opportunities are available from early June through late October.

For just $250 per person, keepers will live along the Lake Huron shoreline in a historic lighthouse keeper’s dwelling for two weeks. The living space features modern accommodations, including two bedrooms that can sleep four adults, a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom with a shower. Learn about the recent restoration of the Tawas Light in this Showcasing the DNR story.

During their stay, lighthouse keepers help greet visitors, lead tours, provide information about the historic structure and perform basic facility maintenance. The keeper schedule is designed to allow time to enjoy recreational activities, soak up the stunning surroundings and explore the region, all while providing valuable volunteer services. The total per-person service commitment is about 60 hours over the two weeks.

“Volunteering at the Tawas Point Lighthouse is a unique experience that combines the region’s cultural history and natural sciences,” said Don La Barre, Tawas Point Lighthouse site historian. “You’ll dive into the lighthouse’s fascinating history, which dates back to the 1870s. Join us as a volunteer lighthouse keeper in the 2025 season and make your mark on this historic landmark!”

Keepers apply in teams of four. Team members must be at least 18 years old and able to climb the 85 steps to the top of the tower.

There is a $40 nonrefundable application fee. Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 28, and successful applicants will be notified no later than March 14.

For more information and application details, visit the Michigan History Center’s Lighthouse Keepers webpage or email [email protected].

With the 2025 MI Birds webinar series, you can learn about where to spot birds, the public lands and other habitats they depend on, and the ongoing efforts to conserve them. When you RSVP to save your spot for each webinar, you’ll get a reminder email leading up to each event.

• Lantern-lit snowshoeing, presented by Van Riper State Park on the grounds of the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Feb. 7.
• At Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Paradise, both guided snowshoe hikes and lantern-it snowshoe events Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22.
• A lantern-lit guided snowshoe hike at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon Feb. 8.
• A lantern-lit hike at Orchard Beach State Park in Manistee Feb. 14.
• Candlelight cross-country skiing at Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area in Metamora Feb. 15.

In addition to a lantern-lit trail, the Porkies Winter Snowburst Carnival at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon, Feb. 22, will feature a youth treasure hunt, a chance to learn how to ski, cardboard sled races, fireworks and more.

Find more details about these and other cold-weather events at Michigan.gov/WinterFun.

Do:

• Report observations of six or more dead birds using the DNR’s Eyes in Field reporting form or calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.
• Clean bird feeders every one-two weeks in a 9:1 solution of water and bleach, scrubbing away any debris.
• Wear gloves while cleaning feeders and thoroughly wash hands when finished.
• Let feeders dry fully before refilling.
• Fence in your feeders, if possible, to prevent deer access and reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease.
• Remove and disinfect feeders if sick or dead birds are found.

Don’t:

• Handle or attempt to capture sick or dead birds.
• Let your pets near bird carcasses.
• Place seed directly on the ground or use platform feeders, which attract large numbers of birds, deer and rodents.
• Feed wild birds if you have backyard poultry.

Visit Michigan DNR’s HPAI Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the virus and how you can help keep Michigan’s birds safe.

Learn more about Michigan birds and backyard bird feeding tips at MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR. MI Birds engages Michiganders in caring for public lands vital to birds and communities.

This spring, we’re looking for:

• More than 1,300 summer park workers and many seasonal park rangers.
• 30 seasonal park interpreters to lead activities and present fun programs tied to each park’s unique natural and cultural resources as part of the explorer guide program.
• Dozens of nature educators who can deliver engaging, hands-on programming for K-12 students at visitor centers and for the Nature Awaits fourth grade field trip program.

For many, working with the DNR is a unique and rewarding experience. Whether the duties are in an office, in the field or on the water, it’s about helping people connect with and enjoy our state’s natural resources and outdoor stories! Get a glimpse of several DNR positions (including park interpreter and park ranger) in the Michigan DNR Careers video playlist.

All DNR jobs

In addition to these opportunities, there are postings for positions such as license sales technician, marketing strategist and fisheries census clerk. Visit Michigan.gov/DNRJobs for more information about these active DNR job openings, and check back often for updates.

While coyotes are an integral part of our ecosystem, some residents may see them as a nuisance.

“If there’s an unwelcome coyote in the area, look for possible attractants that might make the area appealing,” said Rachel Lincoln, a wildlife outreach coordinator with the DNR Wildlife Division.

“Is there a nearby patch of woods or natural area that provides shelter? Are there food sources, such as bird feeders, that attract small mammals or an abundance of rabbits?” Lincoln said. “Where possible, modify or remove the things that are attracting coyotes or the small mammals they prey on.”

It could be as simple as removing bird feeders and keeping trash cans indoors until the morning of trash pickup. This short video on “hazing” tactics provides ideas you can try to help maintain coyotes’ natural fear of people and reduce opportunities for coyotes or other animals to get used to finding ready food sources.

If you’ve tried these tactics but coyotes still hang around your property, or you’re concerned about their presence in the area, contact a nuisance wildlife control business for help. These businesses are permitted by the DNR to remove certain wildlife, including coyotes, from private property.

If hunting is allowed in your area, coyote hunting and trapping seasons are available statewide. Check local laws and review the statewide hunting and trapping regulations for coyotes in the current Furbearer Harvest Regulations Summary at Michigan.gov/Trapping.

Learn more about coyotes and how to handle conflicts with wildlife at Michigan.gov/Wildlife.

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.