What's Happening In Nature

Happy New Year!

After all the rushing around during the holidays, January is the perfect time for us to slow down, relax and enjoy ourselves. How about starting the New Year off with a hike out in nature? Getting outside in nature in the wintertime can be so peaceful. The crisp air is invigorating.

While outdoors be on the lookout for any antlers as the white-tailed deer bucks are shedding their antlers. This is also the perfect time of year to listen for the Great Horned Owls’ “hoot” as they are pairing up for mating season. It’s also mating season for raccoons. The Red and Gray Foxes will begin their breeding season this month and continue into February.

With a nice winter storm, it’s the perfect time to curl up with a blanket, a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee. It’s the perfect time to start planning your butterfly and bird gardens. Doing so will give you something to look forward to.

Winter is a wonderful time to feed the birds. Not only is it a chance to help birds get the necessary fats for surviving longer nights and colder temperatures, but it’s also a good time to see a variety of birds visiting your feeders.

The most often overlooked winter survival challenge for birds is having to endure the long period of darkness during a winter night. Songbirds must sustain themselves through 13-15 hours of darkness by utilizing only their fat reserves for fuel for warmth. Songbirds may use up to 75-80% of their fat reserves in one winter night. This is equivalent to 10% of their body weight being shed and replaced every day as they consume, store and utilize their body fat. This is comparable to a 200lb person losing and then gaining back 20lbs of fat every 24 hours!

Did you know that most birds do not sing in winter. However, Song Sparrows sing throughout the year. It is not uncommon to hear them on a cold January morning telling the “maids, maids, maids put on your teakettle.” Later in the month, as the days lengthen, Tufted Titmice and Cardinals will begin to sing.

As you begin the new year be sure to take time to bundle up and enjoy the beauty of nature around you this month! Happy 2026!!