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Wildlife in Woodbury & Surrounding Community

By Beth-Ann Bloom

Although there were animals in the Miller Barn, there were also plenty of other animals on the surrounding land over the years. The wildlife varied with the changing environment and people. There are some animals like bobcats, wolves, and Trumpeter swans that were very common before the European settlers only Trumpeter swans are now found in Woodbury. Other animals like coyotes, great-horned owls, and Canadian geese are more common now than they were when the barn was built.

Some animals were extirpated (nearly extinct in the area) however cooperation between Minnesotans including wildlife experts, farmers, hunters, birdwatchers, etc., have brought them back. For example, wild turkeys were a common food source for the Dakota people in Minnesota, but they weren’t seen in Woodbury again until the 2000’s when eggs and chicks brought from other states made their way to South Washington County.

red fox

DDT and other pesticides in the 1950’s and 1960’s wiped out the Bald eagles and Peregrine falcons that were common sights when the Miller Barn was built”.  In 1972 the chemicals were banned, and special conservation programs helped the eagles and falcons’ return. You might see an eagle flying high over the park today.

There’s a good chance that August Miller greeted the bluebirds returning in the Spring, but he saw fewer and fewer of them as the years went on as their safe nesting areas were destroyed. Minnesotans built trails of bluebird houses and the happy birds returned to Woodbury. A similar story can be told about wood ducks whose habitats in dead trees were taken down by industrious farmers and homeowners. Craftsmen built nesting boxes for the ducks and their numbers increased.

The land in Woodbury was mostly prairie and Oak Savannah. The prairie land was small and although it supported deer there have never been buffalo bones found in the area. The scattered thick-barked oak trees supported some small wildlife but animals found in the northern forest like moose and black bears didn’t live on the homestead.

We can guess that moles, mice, and gophers proved to be a nuisance in the farmers on the homestead and that the garter and milk snakes enjoyed eating them but we don’t know exactly which animals were near the barn. If you follow the QR code, you will find a list of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians who likely called this land home over the years.

bald eagle

Local Wildlife

The Minnesota DNR says that these animals can be found near the Miller Barn.

Listen for songbirds as you walk through the park Minnesota Bird Songs | Minnesota Conservation Volunteer | Minnesota DNR (state.mn.us)

The Minnesota DNR says that these birds can be found near the Miller Barn.

RSG – Animals listed on the Rare Species Guide