Nature Notes

We have passed through the longest night of the Winter Solstice. Soon, Imbolc or St. Brigid’s day arrives. It occurs Feb. 1st, 2020 and is one of eight days that mark the food growing cycles of nature in the Celtic Calendar. Imbolc honors Brigid, the goddess of the hearth. It is a celebration of the…

1. The Robins have arrived 2. The leaves are budding open 3. The Gooseberry leaves are out 4. The Buffaloberry flowers are out 5. The Pussy Willows are blooming 6. Many songbirds are either dancing or nest building 7. The Yellow-Rumped Warblers are here 8. Swainson’s Hawks are here 9. The Dandelion flowers are blooming

Early spring for the animals that overwinter in Alberta, is the time when access to food sources is most important. The non-hibernators, like Deer, Elk, Moose, Chickadees, Hare, Grouse, Fox, Coyote, Wolves, Lynx, Bobcat and Cougars have all been surviving on their summer fat from the abundant foods they found. They have also been browsing…

What are the Bears doing now? In November, the Female Bears who are pregnant or with 1st year cubs, have likely already found a den site and dug their den. Older Males and Young Bears may still be roaming in search of roots, dropped fruit, easy prey or hungry herbivores.   Where the ground is not…