Winter continues to move in and out of the Valley flexing its seasonal muscle, and reminding man that its presence will be felt.
The jonquils that became confused and shot up blades at least six inches high, and some set buds, are delayed only. They will not be killed,unless winter moves in with a fury for weeks. They are hardy flowers determined to grace yards with their cherry blossoms every late winter and early spring.
The Lenten roses are especially pretty this year, and blooming only a couple of weeks earlier than usual. It seems every year; these unusual flowers are suddenly in bloom, adding charm to their particular corner
of the garden.
The jay, crows and titmice rule the bird feeding station currently. The jays are not bashful about criticizing slow moving humans who haven't put out the peanuts. The titmice and chickadees call for the suet early. Daybreak finds juncos on the ground cleaning up any left overs that have fallen from the feeders the day before that the ever hungry raccoons missed the night before.
From the number of hawks that have made their presence known lately, one wonders if they are congregating, making preparation for an early departure south, or maybe they are just hungry and have their vigilant eyes on the songbirds for a meal. The large red tails are year round residents, and they have not been among the evident hawks. Usually the crows route out the hawks and put them to moving, but occasionally one escapes the diving, screaming crow machines that are determined that a hawk will not stay
in their territory.
Winter wind is deadly as it gusts to more than 50 miles an hour on the mountaintop some nights. The wind has an elemental voice that roars through the night. It rattles the shutters and panes and whistles around the corners of the house. Wind is homeless, because it is forever on the move. If it seems to relax momentarily, it is merely gathering strength for the next blow. It thickens the ice in the ground drinkers, and it swirls even a small amount of snow, blowing it completely off the mountain at times. I try to remember what an old timer told me about mountain winds. "Remember girl. It is just winter blowing itself out."
January doesn't have just two faces like its mythological namesake, but 31. It seems different every day and night. It's temperament rangers from spring like frolicking to dead of winter huddling.There are some robins that refuse to migrate, weathering the ups and downs of January, feasting on overripe berries, and sunning themselves sober after a bout of mid-afternoon snacking. Most birds participate in eating too many too ripe
berries at times, as do raccoons and other animals, and suffer the consequences of the staggers and snoozes.
If you happen upon one of these creatures, leave it where you find it. Nature will take its course. However, if you have an outside cat that can find the bird, it may be best to pick it up, place it in a small box, and let it go when it has its wits about it. Never, never pick up a raccoon for any reason.
Pinecones are terrific barometers of what the humidity is like outside. On dry, sunny days, the cone opens widely. When the air is moist, the cone closes tightly. The fibers of the pinecone respond to the rise and fall of humidity, as do the leaves of the rhododendron open and close as temperature changes.
Deer seek the shelter of evergreen thickets to avoid the biting January wind. Also, they alter their behavior, slowing the loss of fat and protein energy reserves during severe weather. Their winter hair is thick and long, providing a comfortable winter coat by this time of the year. Their hair works much like a down comforter wrapped around the body.
Good-hearted wildlife lovers who feed deer may be doing more harm than good. What kills a deer when it is fed during the winter is an imbalance in the beneficial relationships that must exist between microorganisms in the rumenticulem compartment of their stomach. Rapid changes in diet produce digestive disruptions, which can prove fatal. It is likely that winter conditions in Western North Carolina will ever be severe enough to warrant supplemental deer feedings.
A brush pile is one of the most beneficial things the backyard wildlife lover can do for smaller critters. One provides escape places for small songbirds, and animals. Also, it gives shelter from winter's cold wind and snow. Even some butterflies choose to over winter in a brush pile.
A compost pile is a favorite of insects and wrens. The wrens love to explore and find insects in the pile. January is the height of mating season for fox. The fox bark is one you will never forget. They emit short triple barks or screams, communicating with one another. They look for suitable places to create a den for three to four cubs, which are born in March. The family group stays together throughout the summer,
breaking up in early fall.
May you always hear the whisper of wings.
© Copyright North American Wildlife Health Care Center
P.O. Box 155
Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA 28711
A non-profit 501-3-C organization dedicated to wildlife research and education
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
