Winter is mostly over, but today it feels like it is just starting. Snow is falling and this week's forecast is calling for high temperatures in the teens. But even with all this winter going on, it is still possible to get out and observe life at the Runge Nature Center. Ozark witch-hazel is awaiting a warmer winter afternoon for flies to pollinate their early-blooming flowers, and it is a prime time to observe coyote, deer, and turkey tracks. Challenge yourself to get outside this winter by participating in our iNaturalist Observation Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger hunts can be found at the front desk of the nature center. After completing the hunt using the iNaturalist app or website, and adding your observations to the "Runge Biodiversity Project," stop at the front desk to receive a free nature discovery item. Don't forget to bundle up.

It is also time to wrap-up 2020. This last year 43 observers made 1,804 observations of 805 species. Several highlights from the past year include a Connecticut warbler and Swallow-tailed kite, both of which attracted, and were observed by, numerous birders from across the state, and our continuing observations of Swamp metalmarks, which attracted not only lepidopterist from across the state, but the Midwest. The top 5 species observed in 2020 were:

Wild Turkey - 18
Swamp metalmark - 18
Painted lady - 17
Monarch - 14
Sachem - 13

Thanks to your observations in 2020 and years past, the observation totals for the life of the Runge Biodiversity Project stand at:

166 Observers
8,272 Observations
1,641 Species

Thank you for your continued effort and support as we strive to learn more about the biodiversity that calls Runge Nature Center Home.

Remember to check out our "Observation of the Month" for December and January in the comment section (click on the title of the journal post on the online version to view the comments, or the following link for December and January’s "Observations of the Month" (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/runge-biodiversity-project/journal/46220-winter-scavenger-hunt-and-2020-summary). Keep exploring and maybe one of your observations will be selected in the future. Also, remember to share your favorite observations using Instagram - #RungeBiodiversityProject. Get out, observe, and explore this winter!