February Nature Almanac

By Tait Johansson, Naturalist

1    Look for the small, paired tracks of Mink by streams, ponds, and lakes, often leading onto the ice or into the water.

12  As the days lengthen, on sunny mornings listen for an increase in singing from our winter birds such as chickadees, titmice, Carolina Wrens, and cardinals.

15  Red Maple flower buds now swelling in preparation for bloom, bringing a subtle reddish tinge to our wooded swamps.

20  Bald Eagles likely to be already incubating eggs in their massive stick nests along the Hudson and near local reservoirs.

25  Male Red-winged Blackbirds now returning to set up territories in anticipation of the arrival of females.