Winter Wilds: December Notes from the Preserve
December at Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
Panoramic view of Spearhead lake looking north from the Canoe access point at Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve.
Winter has settled in at Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve, and it is a wonderful time to visit. The preserve is open, and the access road is usually plowed so visitors can get in. Trails are snow covered and mostly not packed at this time, making it a perfect opportunity to bring your snowshoes and help establish the winter trail base. Ice on the lake is currently measuring about 6 to 7 inches thick out from the canoe landing and slightly farther toward the center. Ice depth can vary from place to place, so please use caution if you plan to go out.
If you enjoy experiencing nature in new ways, don’t miss our Forest Megaphone, an 11-foot-long acoustic “cone” installation built on the preserve. It is designed so visitors can hear the sounds of the woods amplified, offering a unique way to engage with the forest. You can reach it by crossing Spearhead Lake on foot over the ice. The western trail is currently closed due to damage from last July’s superstorm. Spearhead Lake encompasses about 189 acres, with roughly four miles of shoreline, so crossing (especially in winter) offers a memorable way to reach the Megaphone. Watch video.
Find the current Open Trails Map on our News & Alerts page.
Thank You for Supporting Give to the Max Day
Thank you to everyone who supported Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society and Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve during Give to the Max Day on November 20. This statewide giving day began in 2009 as a way to launch Minnesota’s online giving platform, GiveMN.org. For small community-based organizations like ours, funds raised through Give to the Max provide essential support for environmental education and care for the preserve. We are deeply grateful for every contribution. This year we raised over $1,300 to support our programming.
If you would like to make a donation to support the preserve, or to explore planned giving, find more information here.
The 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Our local Bemidji Christmas Bird Count will take place on Sunday, December 14. We will begin the morning with a meet-and-greet at Country Kitchen (728 Paul Bunyan Dr NW, Bemidji), where I have reserved a table from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. This is a great time for new participants to learn the basics, for team pairings, and for anyone who enjoys the social side of the count to join us for breakfast.
Safety note: Unless you are arranging a feeder count, the survey takes place outdoors. Dress appropriately for cold winter conditions and bring water, snacks, binoculars, a pencil, and a clipboard if you have one.
If you are unable to participate on December 14, you can still join through Count Week, which runs December 11 to December 17. Birds recorded during Count Week do not become part of the official census for the 14th, but they do fill gaps on the seasonal species list. Count Week birds are simply noted as “cw” and are a great way to help identify species that the main count might miss. If you plan to take part in Count Week, visit https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count to set up your profile and enter your count numbers.
Last year, in 2024, fifteen participants counted 40 species in a combined 48.5 hours during the Bemidji Christmas Bird Count.
Membership Renewals
December is membership renewal season for Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society. Memberships run on a January through December calendar year. If you renew during December, your membership becomes active immediately and remains valid through December 2026, giving more than a full year of benefits and support for our work. If you have been thinking of renewing or joining for the first time, this is the perfect time to do so.
Memberships help us:
• Maintain and improve trails, signage, and access at Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
• Offer nature based programming and outreach
• Protect habitat for birds, wildlife, and the people who enjoy this place
New Members
Sign up with National Audubon Society and automatically become a member of your local chapter as well. A minimum annual donation of $20 covers an individual or a family membership. Although we are connected to National Audubon, our chapter is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with its own programs, budget, and conservation responsibilities, and we rely on support from local members to carry out this work. When someone becomes a new National Audubon member and designates our chapter, we receive 100 percent of that first membership donation through the Chapter Membership Incentive Program, directly supporting conservation and education efforts here in our region.
To renew your local chapter membership to Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society, go here.
For more information on National Audubon Society membership visit www.audubon.org or contact support@audubon.org.
See You on the Winter Trails
Winter brings a quiet beauty to the preserve. Snow covered branches, fresh tracks, and the calls of winter birds over the lake make this a wonderful season to explore. We invite you to bring your snowshoes, visit the Forest Megaphone, or renew your membership to support another strong year of conservation and community engagement.
Thank you for being part of the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon community. We hope to see you at the preserve this winter.
