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Welcome to The Flicker,
MRBO's e-newsletter
November 2025 | Volume 6, Issue 11
| | Conservation through Science, Education, and Advocacy | | |
The Wait is Over - Hope is the Thing With Feathers
Photo Contest Winners Announced!
Conservation Grand Prize Winner
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Timberdoodle
By: Joe Fasig
How many people have been suddenly startled by an explosion out of the leaf litter while wandering around the forest? American woodcocks perfectly blend into the forest floor and wait until the very last moment to fly off from a potential threat. These are such unique birds, physically and behaviorally. For many people, their mating ritual or “Sky Dance” as described by the father of modern conservation, Aldo Leopold, indicates the presence of spring. Aldo Leopold describes, “The drama of the sky dance is enacted nightly on hundreds of farms, the owners of which sigh for entertainment, but harbor the illusion that it is to be sought in theaters. They live on the land, but not by the land.” Unfortunately, this illusion is common in our society but if more people stopped to observe or even wandered near by forests, then they may find some entertainment worth conserving. Even if that entertainment is an elevated heart rate from an exploding woodcock from the forest floor.
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First Place Winner
Great Crested Flycatcher Next Generation
By: Doug Hardesty
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Second Place Winner
Tiny Traveler
By: Mary Moore
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Third Place Winner
Double Catch!
By: Sherry Ma
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Fourth Place Winner
Crimson Visitor
By: Robert Zhang
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MRBO Directors' Choice
Autumn Pileated
By: Jared Watson
| | Bird-friendly Tip of the Month | | |
Show your pride as a MRBO supporter with your
very own MRBO 15th Anniversary T-shirt!
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Back one more time by popular demand, MRBO is making our 15th Anniversary T-shirts available to all! This special design celebrates Missouri’s birds and our shared dedication to conservation. Four styles available.
Order deadline: November 15th
Expected pickup/shipping date: approximately December 1st
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Citizen Science - Project FeederWatch Kick Off
Saturday, November 1st from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO 64110
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| Curious about getting involved in the expanding field of community science and seeking opportunities to participate? Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory at the Discovery Center to kick off Project FeederWatch! Whether you're a seasoned birder or just starting out, FeederWatch offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to conservation efforts. Discover how to combine technology with nature to record encounters with wildlife and gain connections to scientists. Smart phones or tablets are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, ages seven and up. | | |
MEEA Young Environmental Leaders Webinar:
Plastics in Our Environment
November 6, 7 – 8:30pm
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Join Missouri Environmental Education Association Young Environmental Leaders’ quarterly webinar to hear from MRBO staff and partners involved in our Show-Me Less Plastic project. Learn more about the state of plastics in the environment and how young people can take action to protect their communities.
Register here. Registration is free and you do not have to be a MEEA YEL member to watch.
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Arrow Rock Merchants Open House
Thursday, November 6th through Sunday, November 9th
Downtown Arrow Rock, Missouri
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We’re Open for the Arrow Rock Merchants Open House! Join us at the heart of historic Arrow Rock, Missouri during the Merchants Open House November 6th-8th, from 10: 30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and November 9th from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by and explore the shop, mingle with fellow visitors, and discover our latest sustainable home-goods arrivals.
We’re especially excited to introduce two new eco-friendly favorites:
Green Llama Dishwasher Tabs – These are a game-changer for anyone mindful of both performance and planet. They’re 100% plastic-free, housed in compostable packaging, and free from PVA, phosphates, artificial fragrance and dyes. The tablet formula is designed for powerful cleaning: it uses sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, citric acid and enzyme blends for spotless dishes without harsh chemicals. Plus, the brand is cruelty-free and made in the USA.
Eco Clean Laundry Sheets & Dryer Sheets – Simplify your laundry routine and reduce waste at the same time. These plant-based sheets require no heavy plastic jugs: just toss a sheet into the wash (or dryer) and you're set. The laundry sheets are made from surfactants derived from coconut oil and come in recycled-cardboard boxes printed with sustainable algae ink. Their dryer sheet counterpart features cotton/wood-pulp construction, is plastic-free and compostable for communities that support that. These are ideal if you’re looking to soften clothes, reduce static, and skip the chemical-laden traditional softeners.
Stop in during the Open House to check them out in person, ask questions, and discover how simple, effective and stylish sustainable living can be. We look forward to seeing you!
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Fall Farmer Festival
Sunday, November 9th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Midtown Community Garden, 4467 Hunt Ave, St Louis, MO 63110
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Come see us at the St. Louis Farmer Festival! MRBO will be there with a booth full of birding fun, resources, and ways to get involved with conservation. Stop by and say hello, we’d love to see you!
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This year’s festival is hosted by Known & Grown STL as their 2025 Fall Farmer Festival fundraiser. Come out to support local farmers and enjoy family-friendly fall activities like corn husk doll-making, a pie contest, and educational activities led by Known & Grown’s sustainable farmer network.
Bring a blanket and chairs to relax with live music in the garden, shop goodies from your favorite local farmers, and don’t miss the silent auction where you could win a farm stay or a locally-grown gift basket.
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Gateway Outdoor Expo
Friday, November 14th through Sunday November 16th
St. Charles Convention, Center 1 Convention Center Blvd, St Charles, MO 63303
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Come visit MRBO at one of St. Louis' largest outdoor expos. The expo is free to the public and will showcase the latest outdoor products, services, and resources, plus interactive attractions and demos — all in a festive, family-friendly environment.
Find more information on the event website.
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Missouri Young Birders Club Monthly Meeting
Monday, November 17th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Every third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
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🪶 Calling all young nature lovers! If you’re between 8 and 17 and fascinated by the world of birds, join the Missouri Young Birders Club (MYBC) for an exciting adventure in birding and wildlife conservation!
This November, we’re diving into a hands-on exploration of bird beaks and food selection—discover how different birds have uniquely shaped beaks that help them find and eat their favorite foods.
Become part of a growing community of young nature enthusiasts and explore Missouri’s amazing wildlife with us! Visit our website for more information.
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MRBO's Upcoming Monthly Webinars
Every third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
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Owl Walk
Tuesday, November 18th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost Ave Kansas City, MO 64110
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Discover the amazing world of owls as we venture onto the trails at the Discovery Center after dark. We’ll listen closely for the haunting calls of these fascinating nocturnal hunters and learn about their unique behaviors, adaptations, and habitats. Along the way, we’ll explore what makes each species so well suited for life in the night. With a little luck, we may even catch a glimpse of one of these mysterious birds in their natural setting—but remember, sightings are never guaranteed!
Registration is required.
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CoMoGives
Monday, December 1st through Wednesday, December 31st | | |
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MRBO is once again participating in CoMoGives, an annual online fundraiser supporting over 100 local nonprofits in Mid-Missouri. Organized by the Community Foundation of Central Missouri, this event raised just shy of $2 million last year for participating organizations.
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From December 1st to December 31st, donors can contribute any amount to one or more of the featured nonprofits. All donations raised through CoMoGives go directly to the organizations, so every dollar donated to MRBO stays with us!
This is a great opportunity to learn about the impactful nonprofits in our community and support your favorites. For more information, visit the CoMoGives website: https://www.comogives.com
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Old Fashioned Christmas In The Village
Saturday, December 6th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Downtown Arrow Rock, Missouri
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Join state historic site staff, friends and family as they open up the historic buildings for a Christmas from long ago. MRBO will have our visitor center, gift shop, and KnOWLedge nest open during Arrow Rock’s Old Fashioned Christmas in the Village. Site buildings will be open and decorated for Christmas. Guests will be encouraged to tour the buildings and visit with interpreters.
| | Double Your Impact for Kestrels! | | |
We’re excited to share a special opportunity for our supporters! Susan Lordi Marker, who purchased the very first nest box for MRBO’s American Kestrel Nest Box Project and celebrated its first successful clutch, is generously matching all donations up to $10,000.
Your contribution will directly support the placement and monitoring of nest boxes across Missouri, providing safe homes for kestrels and helping these charismatic falcons successfully raise their young. Every dollar helps with nest box materials, maintenance, and protection from predators and starlings.
| | | Why it matters: Kestrels are facing habitat loss and limited natural nesting sites. By giving today, you’re ensuring more young kestrels can fledge safely—and your donation will go twice as far! | | Changing the Game on Single-Use Plastic | | |
Entertainment events may not be the first thing you associate with sustainability, but stadiums present a huge opportunity to promote reuse. The most effective way to encourage reuse is to make it the default action to take. Some stadiums in Missouri are doing just that!
First, let’s consider some stats.
Single-Use Plastic Waste in Stadiums Across the United States:
Most Common Items:
- Plastic Cups: Plastic Cups Thrown Out Each Year: 2 billion!
- Water Bottles
- Styrofoam Containers
Fortunately, stadium managers are gradually realizing their role in plastic pollution and teaming up with companies that specialize in reusable serving ware. In Missouri, CPKC Stadium—home of the Kansas City Currents—and GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium—home of the Kansas City Chiefs—partner with the company Bold Reuse to provide attendees with reusable cups. Attendees simply order their drinks at no additional cost and return the cups before leaving.
This is a win for reuse! Considering the number of events and guests they host year after year, stadiums are sites for collective action. Let’s encourage more to make a move for sustainability, so when we go watch our favorite athletes and artists, we can also witness important progress toward a less plastic future.
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Microplastic Madness Free Screening for Educators
Available until November 30
Last chance for a free screening this semester! Educators may receive a free screening of this uplifting documentary that follows 5th graders who take on plastics pollution in their school and community. Learn, enjoy, and get inspired with your students!
Educators may sign up for a free screening here.
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The newest issue of The Rectrix is now available on our website!
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November's Bird of the Month: American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea)
As many of Missouri’s summer birds migrate south, others are just arriving. The American Tree Sparrow is one of our winter visitors, journeying from the Arctic tundra of Canada to spend the colder months in the Midwest. Despite their name, these sparrows are not tree-dwellers. They prefer open, brushy fields and forest edges, where they forage for grass and weed seeds. Around homes, they’re often seen beneath feeders or in weedy patches, busily scratching at the snow in search of food.
Look closely at mixed flocks of winter sparrows and you may spot one by bicolored bill: dark on top and yellow bottom or the dark smudge on their chest. American Tree Sparrows have a reddish brown or rusty cap, gray face, and a rusty eyeline. These social birds often travel in small flocks, their soft musical calls adding a gentle soundtrack to winter days. They typically arrive in Missouri in late October, and most are gone by the end of February. In their Arctic breeding grounds, pairs nest low in the tundra and raise four to six young during the brief northern summer, feeding mostly on insects before returning south.
Winter survival can be challenging for these small birds. American Tree Sparrows must eat roughly 30 percent of their body weight in food and take in a similar amount of water each day to stay alive. A single day without food can be fatal, as their body temperature drops and they lose a significant portion of their weight in just a few hours. Even during migration, they move efficiently between stopovers, refueling in weedy fields and prairies along the way.
Missouri’s winter habitats provide vital refuge for species like the American Tree Sparrow, highlighting the importance of healthy ecosystems year-round. Winter is also a wonderful time to practice your bird ID skills or share your love of birds with someone close to you. Bundle up and see what feathered visitors you can find this season!
| | | November's Native Edible - Acorns | | | | |
In recent weeks, the neighborhood squirrels have been especially busy, darting through gardens and burying their winter treasures beneath flowerbeds. Come spring, their forgotten stashes often sprout into tiny oak seedlings—a gentle reminder of autumn’s abundance. Acorns are plentiful this time of year, much to the delight of both squirrels and backyard foragers.
For humans, acorns offer more than just a symbol of the season. Once properly treated, they can be transformed into a rich, nutty ingredient or ground into versatile acorn flour. However, processing is key—raw acorns contain bitter tannins that must be leached out before they’re edible.
To remove tannins, one method involves simmering chopped acorn nutmeats in a ratio of one part acorns to five parts water. Once the water turns dark brown, it should be drained and replaced, repeating this process—sometimes a dozen times—
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until the bitterness is gone. For baking purposes, a cold-water leaching method is often preferred. In this approach, the acorn meat is first ground into a coarse meal, then placed in a jar filled halfway with the meal and topped with water. After stirring to remove air bubbles, the jar is sealed and refrigerated for a day. The water is then drained and replaced with fresh water, repeating the cycle at least three times, or until no bitterness remains.
Once fully leached, the acorn meal can be dried and used in a variety of recipes—from hearty breads to nutty pancakes. For a simple and delicious introduction to cooking with acorn flour, try this rustic pancake recipe inspired by The Olive Trees and the Moon:
Acorn Flour Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white wheat flour
- 1 cup acorn flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 eggs
Directions:
- Combine both flours and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Create a small well in the center, and pour in the milk and eggs.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Heat a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed pan over low-medium heat and melt about ½ tablespoon of butter in the center, tilting the pan to coat evenly.
- Pour a small ladle of batter into the center of the pan. Allow bubbles to form on the surface before flipping with a wooden spatula.
- Continue cooking until golden on both sides. Add more butter between pancakes to keep the pan evenly greased.
These nutty, lightly sweet pancakes are a satisfying way to embrace the season’s harvest—an autumn treat that celebrates the acorn’s journey from forest floor to breakfast table.
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406 Main Street
Arrow Rock, MO 65320
660-837-3888
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