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November Phenology
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...
- Last call for migrants: watch for the whooping cranes, swans, hawks, Canada geese and cedar waxwings heading south. Tundra swans are one of the last waterfowl to migrate and can sometimes be seen along the Mississippi River early in the month.
- While some birds head out of the state as winter approaches, the dark-eyed junco arrives. You may want to feed birds so that you can watch them throughout the winter.
- November marks the time that white-tailed deer bucks are in "rut."
- Snowshoe hares exchange their dull brown coats for a thicker white one.
- Slugs and snails burrow into moist marsh soil for the winter.
- Turkey hunters are in the woods hoping to bag a gobbler before deer season. Wild turkeys are busy eating acorns, and fruits of trees like maple, ash, pine, and beech.
- Fish are on the move as they migrate upstream. Watch for the cisco, coho salmon, and brown trout.
- Watch for lakes starting to freeze over as a thick layer of ice appears. Let us know when the ice forms on your local lake, river, or bay.
- Black bears begin settling into dens for a long winter's nap. Learn how other animals spend the winter snug in the snow
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