November 17-23, 2024
Absolutely covered in snow
It was awesome to finally wake up to 15 inches of new snow this week, but it also made getting outside pretty challenging and when the snow turned into a sloppy mess it was even worse.
Week in Review
Between the deep snow, wet snow, and bits of cold drizzle, it wasn't a great week for keeping tabs on the natural world. However, I did learn a valuable lesson near Cutthroat Lake as the big snowstorm blew in: always bring a camera while skiing!!!
I don't think anyone enjoys carrying a heavy camera (plus a pack with extra lens) while skiing, but on the three occasions I've decided to leave my camera behind I had a barred owl land next to me, I discovered a saw-whet owl sleeping in full view, and this time, a very curious pine marten bounding along the trail to check me out (twice!). I hope I've finally learned to always have my camera with me!
Despite the challenging weather, I was still able to make a few observations that perfectly encapsulated the changing seasons.
Winter is a very challenging time for ground-based, seed-eating birds like California quail. These birds may be hardy, but they burn 25% more energy staying warm on the coldest days. At the same time there's very little food for them, so they rely on little bits of open ground they find around trees or shrubs.
Cackling geese are uncommon and easily overlooked but at least a handful appear in the Methow Valley each year, with peak numbers appearing around mid-October to mid-November. The small, tight group I spotted on the 20th stood out because they were distinctly smaller (not much larger than mallards) than our resident Canada geese, with short necks and stubby bills.
At least three species of loons are regular migrants in the Methow Valley, with the larger common loon being the most likely visitor. Common loons are notable for their stout, evenly tapering bills, and the small white divot on their necks. They generally head south, but as long as they can find food, and our lakes haven't frozen over, they may linger long into the winter.
Barrow's and common goldeneyes are among the few ducks that stick around all winter, and they are certainly one of our most attractive winter birds. Males are instantly recognizable due to their intense golden yellow eyes highlighting their greenish to purplish heads, but you have to look carefully at the white patch on their faces to separate the two species. These ducks fare well in the winter because they dive for food in the rivers and can always find open patches of running water to hunt in.
Last winter was a banner year for pine grosbeaks, especially at Pearrygin Lake State Park where they gathered to eat seeds on the planted ash trees. It looks like at least a few have already come down out of the high mountain forests again this winter. These large finches are famous for wandering irregularly in search of food in the winter (a type of movement known as irruption), but hard winters will push them into areas with dependable food like Pearrygin Lake.
Another irregular winter visitor is the northern pygmy-owl and it's been at least three years since we had our last big showing of these magnificent birds. While pygmy-owls are year-round residents in the Methow Valley, their numbers can jump significantly when hard winters push far northern birds southward. Personally, I haven't seen a pygmy-owl since their last big showing, so I was thrilled to find one at Pearrygin and it has me wondering if we'll see more this winter.
Observation of the Week: A Berry-licious Report
At first glance, an annual Bear Natural Foods Transects report doesn't sound very exciting, but this week's update from Home Range Wildlife Research caught my attention because their colorful graphics are a fantastic way to visualize the types of foods used by local wildlife.
The first thing I noticed is how serviceberry stands head and shoulders above all other wild berries in terms of its abundance across the landscape. Serviceberries are absolutely loaded with nutritional value and their berries are eagerly eaten by many birds and mammals, so it's encouraging that they are one of the most widespread shrubs in the Methow Valley. Serviceberries are also one of the valley's most productive food sources, with the highest number of individual plants producing some to many fruits.
This is not to discount the role of other berries like chokecherries, elderberries, currants, and dogwoods, all of whom provide varying levels of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and basic nutritional content. These shrubs also favor different niches, which means that animals moving across the landscape might find food as they move through different habitats rather than all gathering in the habitats favored by serviceberries.
This diversity is further accentuated by the staggered cycles of berry production, with different species peaking at different times over the course of summer and fall. This means that vital sources of food are available for both growing babies and adults fattening up for migration and long winters.
These simple graphics from Home Range give me a new way of seeing and appreciating the plants I encounter on my walks. Rather than noticing individual plants with their berries, I'll now be thinking about how these larger patterns are unfolding across the summer and the landscape.
