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Phenology with local naturalist Larry Weber every Friday morning at 8:20 on Northland Morning.

Backyard Almanac: October Recap

A skunk walking on the grass
Gerald McGee [Via Flickr]

It’s been a statistically warm month. Some days dipped into the 20s, but October was largely without bitter cold days. Though snowfall was above normal, the isolated accumulation melted away quickly.

Many birds are still passing through the area in search of warmer climates. However, owls are “permanent residents” and will stick around through the winter.

Other animals that will linger throughout the winter are skunks. Right now, they’re looking for food, but not in preparation for hibernation. They, like owls, hang around and stay active throughout the winter.

And, just in time for Halloween, some spiders! “If you look below the sun, you may see… spider ballooning,” says Larry Weber. "When [spiders] travel... they pull out some threads from their spinnerets... they let them drift out in the breeze and this is able to pick them up and carry them off."

Like a spider in the wind, the month of October is slowly floating away.

Luke Moravec is the host for Northland Morning on The North 103.3. He’s also a local actor, musician and writer. He loves puzzles, riddles and fun mysteries.
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