January Phenology

Bald eagle

Did You See That?

Are you observant? If you are, you might be interested in helping us out with our phenological calendar. Phe-nol-o-gy is the study of changes in plants and animals as they respond to weather, climate, and the seasons. Each spring we anxiously await the first returning robin in the hope of warmer weather. That is a phenological event. It happens every year but the return date depends a lot on the weather. Migration and flowering are two more examples of phenological events.

OK, here's your challenge. Look around for the following seasonal/phenological changes and email EEK! when you notice any of the following...

• Flocks of overwintering bald eagles sweeping open waters near dams looking for fish to eat.

• The January "thaw" bringing out light sleeping critters like skunks, raccoons and opossums.

• Anglers head to the frozen lakes to ice fish

• White snowy owls in the north perch on fence posts and roadside signs.

• Great-horned and barred owls pairs sing duets in the night air as they get ready to mate.

• Bear cubs born inside their wintery dens. (You won't get to see this, but we thought we'd let you know that it's happening.)

• In marshes, game fish heading for shallow waters looking for hibernating frogs to eat. Look through the ice to spot them.

• Meadow voles and mice making snow tunnels as a "warm" passageway between their homes and food stashes.

• River otters sometimes slide along the creek banks in the snow. Look for their "tracks."

• Chickadees perched on branches fluffing up to keep warm in the cold winter air.

• Stoneflies emerge as adults in wetlands and mate on shore