January thaw #phenology

We have seen recent reports (@KAXE on Twitter; KAXE.org) of  North Country chickadees singing fee-bee and a downy woodpecker drumming. It's usually dark when we first walk the dogs and mid-day walks have been brief with the cold and wind, so we can't confirm those signs of Springtime in our neighborhood. We can report lots and lots of black-capped chickadees and woodpeckers at the feeders, plus occasional cardinals. Cold winds trigger the need for additional calories. As noted in my copy of Northwoods Wildlife guide in Winter, "Birds: Those that stay... must feed frequently and roost in sheltered places to conserve energy."

male cardinal perched near feeder

Photo by J. Harrington

We now, however, appear to be looking at 9 or 10 days of temperatures reaching or exceeding freezing, beginning tomorrow. We'll do our best to listen carefully for local Springish sounds, including water dripping from roof edges. We will also keep our fingers crossed that the January thaw isn't accompanied by rain, especially the freezing variety.

cardinal and two chickadees at feeder

Photo by J. Harrington

Yesterday morning we (the Better Half and I) spotted a sun dog as we were headed toward St. Paul. With the increased cloudiness, that's been a rare occurrence (sun dog sightings, not trips to St. Paul). Minnesota's catch and release Winter trout season has been open since New Year's Day but I've not yet been able to work up much enthusiasm for it. Maybe during, or after, the warmer days? I've clomped through snow drifts to get to open water. It's not always as much fun as it sounds like and I've found it to be a real challenge keeping my toes warm. More power to those who get out and actually enjoy it.

[UPDATE: Birds reflect changing northern forest landscape]

To One Coming North

By Claude McKay

At first you'll joy to see the playful snow, 

  Like white moths trembling on the tropic air, 

Or waters of the hills that softly flow 

  Gracefully falling down a shining stair.

And when the fields and streets are covered white 

  And the wind-worried void is chilly, raw, 

Or underneath a spell of heat and light 

  The cheerless frozen spots begin to thaw,

Like me you'll long for home, where birds' glad song 

  Means flowering lanes and leas and spaces dry, 

And tender thoughts and feelings fine and strong, 

  Beneath a vivid silver-flecked blue sky.

But oh! more than the changeless southern isles, 

  When Spring has shed upon the earth her charm, 

You'll love the Northland wreathed in golden smiles 

  By the miraculous sun turned glad and warm.

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