October is full of surprises. The month has started with warmer than average temperatures and some rainbows to boot.
Geese, ducks and swans are starting to show up in their migratory patterns. Grackles (a type of black bird) are also noisily moving through the area in flocks that are a mix of red-winged black birds and others. Keep an eye open for the saw-whet owl too – they are one of the smallest owls we have in the Northland.
Grouse are “drumming” to claim their territory. “The adults are drumming to tell the young ones that have dispersed from the family that this particular territory is taken,” says Larry Weber.
Garter snakes and red-belly snakes (the only two species of snakes that are native to our area) are seeking out a warm place in the ground to spend the winter. This is a common time of year to see them, particularly on roadways.
And the trees… “This is one time that you cannot NOT notice nature,” says Weber. "Wow - it is there." In as little as a week from today the leaves will begin to fall from the trees. Now is the time to get out and see the brief beauty of autumn.