Although the shortest day of the year is still a few weeks ahead of us, the earliest sunsets of the year begin in just a few days. Next week, the Northland will see the sun dropping past the western horizon at 4:20pm. It'll stay that way for about a week.
As the birds go, there are plenty of wintering birds to spot and listen for. While the birds we think of as migrants have exited our cold region for warmer temps, some birds have either stuck around or moved into our neighborhoods from further north. Redpolls are particularly abundant and easy to spot; the flecks of crimson on their breast and head stand out against the white landscape.
And all the fresh snow is making it easy to spot something else - animal tracks. Otters are having a field day with the snow, sliding down slippery hills to nearby waterways, and the snowshoe hare finally have an environment suited for their annual camouflage.
You can hear Backyard Almanac every Friday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.
