Sharing the Neighborhood with Wildlife

Habitats in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary

The Blaine Wetland Sanctuary habitats include rich fen, poor fen, wet meadow, and mesic forest. 

Fen is a wetland that has peat soil fed primarily by groundwater. Fens are characterized by their vegetation, which survives in the unique chemical makeup of the water. 

Poor Fens are fed by water with very low nutrient content and tend to have a lot of sphagnum moss.

Rich Fens are fed by water that is high in minerals and nutrients and sphagnum moss is present but not abundant.

Wet Meadows are wetlands dominated by grasses and sedges.

Mesic Forests are structured forest ecosystems with a canopy of trees, subcanopy of immature trees, shrubs, and a layer of ground vegetation.

Animals that make their home at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary

sandhill-crane-250Sand Hill Cranes(Grus Canadensis)

Sand hill cranes dance like no one is watching. These birds dance with their partners, often repeatedly throwing a stick in the air.

blandings-turtle-250Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)

Blanding’s turtles are threatened in Minnesota due to road mortality and habitat loss, but have found a home at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary.

Pileated-Woodpecker-250Pilieated Woodpeckers
(Dryocopus pileatus)

Pilieated woodpeckers are very large with a long neck and a triangular crest that sweeps off the back of the head. It makes its nest in standing dead trees and downed wood.

Coyote-250Coyotes
(Canis latrans)

Coyotes resemble a small, lean German shepherd. They have a bushy tail, coarse fur, and large ears.

western-chorus-frog-250Western Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris triseriata)

Western chorus frogs call early  in  the spring, it sounds like someone running their thumb over the teeth of a pocket comb.

green-darner-dragonflies-250Green Darner Dragonflies
(Anax junius)

Green darner dragonflies are great at controlling mosquito populations. In the fall, they migrate hundreds of miles south.

killdeer-250Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferous)

Killdeer are widespread, common, and conspicuous. It calls its name as it flies over farmland and other open country. It nests on the ground in open areas with good visibility.

wild-turkey-250Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Wild turkeys are large birds with a round body and tiny heads. Males have a tail that, when spread, looks like a large fan.