Common redpollAt the WRI, where the Northwoods Ecology Team has me editing species accounts, Common redpolls (Acanthis flammea) appeared outside the window for the first time this winter. Earlier, they had been reported in the area, and I saw a flock land in a birch tree to eat catkins. Today, a nice male with a rosy chest was lit by the late afternoon sun. They are named for the red caps that both sexes have. They breed in northern Canada and winter in southern Canada and the north edge of the United States, although they don’t reach this far south every year.
Northwoods Ecology HallAt the Bear Center, progress on the Northwoods Ecology Hall continues, and the mural painter arrived to see what is needed for the background.
The word from Linda Gibson is that starting tomorrow, January 11, the updates will include highlight videos from Juliet’s Den Cam of exactly a year ago. If the Den Cam was down for a day, there won’t be a 
Northwoods Ecology Hallhighlight video for that day, but every day that we obtained video last year will have a highlight video this winter, as long as there is something worth sharing. We’re glad to finally be putting these videos out for everyone to see.
This evening, a group of college students from around the world is gathering at the Bear Center for a special program. Looking forward to it.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.