Be a 2026 Bird Survey Volunteer!

Photo courtesy of Flickr | chumlee10

Are you looking for a fun spring activity? You’re invited to join other friends of the Lake Links Trail for our third annual Lake Links Trail 2026 Bird Survey.

Following on from the successful 2024 (46 different species!) and 2025 (64 different species!) bird surveys, the Lake Links Association will tally birds seen and heard at 10 sites along the Lake Links Trail from 6:45 to 7:15 on Saturday, May 16, then gather at the Wild Bean coffee shop in Mahtomedi to share notes. We need at least volunteers to make the day a success.

No special bird identification is required because we’ll be using the free Merlin phone app to identify birds by sound. This would be an ideal nature outing for a parent- or grandparent-and-kid team.

When: Saturday, May 16, 6:45 am to 7:15 am. In case of rain/ high winds, we will delay to Saturday, May 23, at 6:45 am.

What: a 3-minute bird call survey using the free Merlin smartphone app, followed by 5 minutes of observation and note-taking, followed by a second 3-minute bird call survey and 5 minutes of observation and note-taking.

Where: 10 assigned locations around the 10-mile Lake Links Trail circling White Bear Lake. (Each person/team will be assigned a location.)

Training: Training will be available before the event for volunteers who would like help downloading and learning to use the Merlin app.

After party:  We will gather to compare notes at the Wild Bean coffee shop in Mahtomedi.  Lake Links will provide baked goods to volunteers. We should be done by 8 am.

For more information or to sign up to join the fun, please email event coordinator Dennis Lindeke at drlindeke@comcast.net.