Wood Ducks are one of the most colorful of North American waterfowl. These ducks not only feed on aquatic plants but will venture out to dine on the lush green plants of the water’s edge and woodlands. Wood Ducks prefer the mixed conifer and hardwood forests of the north to the prairie potholes. Unlike most other ducks, the Wood Duck has sharp claws for perching in trees. Having thousands of wetlands interspersed among these forests, the District provides these cavity nesters a safe place to raise their young.

One of the mammals seen on the district is the red fox. It is the most common predator in the state and prefers a mix of habitats ranging from mature forests to open fields. They are opportunists; eating a variety of food including mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, birds, snakes, berries and nuts. Unlike wolves, the fox is a solitary animal. Dens are typically found in the woods and are used primarily as nurseries for their young called kits. Partner land owners take delight in the sight of young playful siblings.

The great blue heron stands nearly 4 feet tall and has an impressive wing span of over 6 feet. This is the largest of the six species of herons that can be found in Minnesota. The heron needs forested areas near water for its nesting territory. Herons nest in large groups or colonies called a “rookery”. The large nests are loosely made of sticks high in the tree. Herons eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects or sometimes small mammals. Often herons swallow their food alive. Sometimes a heron catches a fish and flips it into the air so it goes down head first. Other times a heron spears and shakes the fish to kill it and make it easier to eat. The restored wetlands of the district provide feeding areas for the heron.

The marshes and wetlands of the Tamarac Wetland Management District are very diverse. Some are shallow and seasonal while others are deeper and hold water year round. The wetlands sprinkled among the agricultural land are generally surrounded by grasses and shrubs. Wetlands in the forested areas can vary from a seasonal vernal pond to peat bogs among conifers.

The district reaches the eastern edge of the tall grass prairie. Many of the wetland complexes are surrounded by grasslands of big bluestem, switch grass and other native plants. When wetlands are restored so are the surrounding grasslands which includes seeding with a highly diverse mix of native grasses and forbs for the primary benefit of migratory birds.

The Tamarac Wetland Management District is a picturesque canvas of a natural landscape transitioning from boreal peatlands to mixed forests of aspen, birch and pine. These forests are divided by a number of major rivers and a few lakes. Within the rolling hills you’ll find oak, red and sugar maple, basswood, and other broadleaf trees. In some of the more northern reaches of the district conifers cover the landscape.