As we turn the calendar page to a new year, the cycle of life around us continues to turn. A couple of weeks out from the winter solstice, the days are creeping a little longer. As the old saying goes, “The days have lengthened one cock’s stride.”
Celestial Time Keeping
By the end of January, a day lasts as long as it did in mid-November. Our planet’s perihelion–when Earth reaches its closest point to the sun–occurred a scant few days ago, and as you are reading this email mid-January, Jupiter positions itself in direct opposition to the Earth, becoming one of the brightest and most clearly-seen celestial bodies, visible all night throughout the month.
These celestial movements do not have any recordable impact upon life here on earth, except to create an amazing spectacle. They do, however, help us mark the time as we move further and deeper into winter. As humans, our responses to winter vary. For many of us, this colder weather is a sign of more chances to drink some hot chocolate and enjoy the wonders in our sky and out our window. In the natural world, however, these cycles are a little more hard-coded into the behavior of living things.
Animals in Winter
Hibernation, of course, is the most famous winter activity of mammals large and small. In New England, the black bear will seek out a cozy spot to nap their way through the season, such as in a den or barrow. Their body temperature will lower, their heartrate will slow, and the amount of energy they need to get through the day will reach minimal amounts so that they can enjoy a fine, long rest through the winter. Smaller mammals will enact similar metabolic changes, though you might see a chipmunk dart out from its home in your stone wall to gather just enough food so they can continue their winter rest.
Many birds, of course, will have migrated away from their New England residences for warmer climates. Our characteristic coastal bird of prey, the Osprey, is lingering somewhere in the tropics, where the climate is more conducive to its hunting and schools of fish are more readily accessible. Many small songbirds, however, find the winter months – while difficult – to be most sustainable. If you are a neighbor to Black-capped chickadees (who favor holly trees and evergreens), White-throated sparrows (who spend their winters foraging along the forest floor, searching for insects) or Tufted titmice (the chickadee’s similarly melodious cousin), consider keeping a daily feeder stocked. Or, better yet, you can make your own!
Not Always Burrowed Down
The fluctuations in temperature will sometimes bring out different wildlife from their resting areas. Mild snowy days might provide evidence of the movement of voles and small animals; look for the signs of these mammals after a fresh coating, and track their movements as they pop in and out of the snow cover. On warmer days, you will be rewarded with the cacophony of songbirds who have come awake to do some mid-winter feeding, before tucking back in their nests to wait out the promise of a warm spring in the offing.
Meanwhile, consider joining us for some of our programs that embrace the calm of wintertime:
- Children’s Craft: Hibernation Habitats, Tuesday Jan. 13
- Winter Astronomy Walk at Westport Woods, Thursday Jan. 15
- Woods in the Wintertime Walk, Tuesday Jan. 27
All of our programs can be found under the Public Programs tab of the website!