Why does that cardinal look bald? The Birdchick explains.

Sharon Stiteler is known affectionately as the Birdchick. The National Park Service naturalist is devoted to all things avian. And few birders anywhere can match her enthusiasm. So we like to check in with her each season as our birds migrate. Scary fact number one: Fall migration is already underway in Minnesota!

Our most recent visit with Sharon focused on why cardinals and some other birds look bald by this time in the year. We also touched on other issues including the time-honored question of whether baby birds ever need help from humans or whether we should all leave them alone to figure things out on their own. For the most part, Sharon says we should leave baby birds alone since their parents are likely nearby.

During her visit, Sharon talked about Least Bitterns and Least Sandpipers, two birds you can see in Minnesota this time of year.

While Sharon was concerned about West Nile virus in the Minnesota loon population, she said she was more intrigued by how the black fly infestation this spring might have hurt the loon nesting season.

Environmental stories on Almanac are sponsored by the Minnesota State Lottery.