February Nature Happenings

Photo by John Graffius

• Barred Owls begin calling. Their call sounds like, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you allll?" Click here to listen to a Barred Owl call.
  
  
• Great Horned Owls continue nesting.
  
  
• February is National Bird Feeding Month. We thank you for feeding your birds, especially during this time of year when birds need the extra help.  Click here to shop our bird food online.
  
  
• The Great Backyard Bird Count is this month. Click here to learn how to participate and make your birds count this year. 
  
  
• Killdeer and Eastern Meadowlarks return in late February. Both of these birds prefer open flat land. Killdeer are more conspicuous with their loud voices and presence in open spaces like parking lots. Meadowlarks are often hidden, in farm fields and areas with taller grasses.
  
  
• Listen for Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, House Finches, Black-capped Chickadees and Mourning Doves singing.
  
  
• Large flocks of American Robins can be seen feeding from fruit-bearing plants like hollies, dogwoods and sumacs. Contrary to a commonly-held belief, some of our population of robins stay year-round.
  
  

• This month marks the peak of Bald Eagle migration.
  
  
• Maple tree sap is running.
  
  
• Project FeederWatch continues. Click here for more info!
  
  
• Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds return north.
  
  
• Raccoon, woodchuck, beaver, skunk, opossum and rabbit mating seasons begin.
  
  
• Eastern Bluebird and other nest boxes need to be cleaned out this month.  Click here to shop our nesting boxes online.
  
  
• Look for early waterfowl migrants such as Bufflehead, Common Goldeneyes and Redheads as lakes thaw.