Project BirdSongConnect: Listening to Nature in the St. Croix Valley

2 hours ago2 min read

Birdsong is more than just a beautiful sound—it’s an essential indicator of ecological health. With that in mind, Sustainable Stillwater MN’s Bird City Stillwater initiative is proud to introduce Project BirdSongConnect, a cutting-edge effort to monitor and engage with bird populations across the St. Croix Valley.

At the heart of this project are Haikuboxes, innovative bird song recording and monitoring devices developed by Cornell University. These AI-powered devices listen for bird calls 24/7, identify species using sophisticated algorithms, and provide real-time data on local bird populations.

Currently, there are three operational Haikuboxes located at Sunfish Park, Mulberry Ravine Bird Station, and Big Carnelian Lake. Plans are already in motion to install a fourth box later this year, expanding our ability to track and understand avian activity throughout different habitats. These listening stations provide valuable insight into the diversity of species visiting our region across seasons.

Project BirdSongConnect is more than just a scientific initiative—it’s an opportunity for education and community engagement.

Students from Stillwater Schools will participate in hands-on learning activities using the bird data collected, fostering a deeper connection to local wildlife and ecology.
Residents and bird enthusiasts can access real-time bird data from their phones and computers, making it easy to follow bird activity in their area.
The Sally Manzara Nature Center, one of our partners, has a large screen displaying live bird detections, allowing visitors to engage directly with the project.

December Data: A Glimpse into Bird Activity

In December, we downloaded data from our active sites, revealing a diverse array of bird species in the area. Here are the top birds detected at Site 2 (Sunfish Park):

Black-capped Chickadee – 21,459 detections
Dark-eyed Junco – 14,173 detections
Blue Jay – 12,043 detections
Downy Woodpecker – 8,040 detections
Hairy Woodpecker – 4,558 detections
Northern Cardinal – 4,089 detections

At Site 1, the most frequently detected species included American Crow (8,115), Blue Jay (7,830), and Black-capped Chickadee (4,313), among others. Each site provides valuable insight into local bird populations, and as more data is collected, we can track trends in species presence and migration.

The latest data from Site 3 reveals an impressive abundance of bird species, with the Black-capped Chickadee leading the count at 244,493 detections—a remarkable indicator of its dominance in the area. The Blue Jay (90,326) and Eastern Wood-Pewee (84,854) also made a strong showing, highlighting the diverse avian activity in the region. Other frequently detected species include the Northern Cardinal (84,545) and Eastern Phoebe (29,507), showcasing the presence of both resident and migratory birds. This data provides valuable insights into the health and vibrancy of local ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of ongoing conservation efforts.

Listen to the birds at Site 3

View all the birds detected at the sites here:

Through technology, citizen science, and education, we are fostering a deeper appreciation for the birds that share our environment. If you’d like to learn more about Project BirdSongConnect, get involved, or support this initiative, contact Allison McGinnis at allison@sustainablestillwatermn.org.