Nature's abundance is evident here. Osprey, eagle, and great blue heron nests occur throughout the park. Observant visitors are likely to see kingfishers, mergansers, loons, and cormorants. Since water covers one-third of the surface of the park, aquatic animals predominate. Creating ponds, the beaver provides not only his own habitat, but also the environment needed by aquatic plants. These plants provide food for aquatic insects and some fish. The fish, in turn, support the wide variety of fish-eating birds. Beaver are fare for coyotes and timber wolves.

Perhaps nothing so symbolizes Voyageurs National Park's enduring primitive character as the presence of its wolves. The park is in the heart of the only region in the continental United States where the eastern timber wolf (also known as the gray wolf) survives. Wolves are shy and secretive, and contrary to folklore they pose virtually no threat to humans. Their wariness and small numbers make it unlikely that you will see them during a visit, although you might see their tracks in winter.

Links to Other Resources
(These open a new browser window.)

Maps

Location and Area Maps of Voyageurs NP

National Park Service Brochure Map of Voyageurs NP

Voyageurs NP, Adobe Acrobat Format.   Very detailed. May be slow to load.

Multimedia

Current Fall Foliage Map of the Midwest  (Weather.com)   Colored map showing the progression of peak fall colors across the regional landscape. Excellent resource!

Information

Traditional Birchbark Canoe Design & Construction   (Wooden Canoe Heritage Association)   Includes diagrams. Excellent site on Native American technology and art, including detailed information on the many uses of birchbark.

Wolf Awareness Week, October 15-21, 2000   Includes wolf fact sheets and teacher curriculum materials.

Species Profile of the Eastern Timber Wolf

Checklist of Minnesota Birds, Adobe PDF File   Includes residents, migrants, and casual visitors.

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