November 19-25, 2023

Another week of crisp, sunny days with perfect conditions for early winter hikes.

The Week in Review

It's hard to know how long this stretch of delightful weather will last, but it sure has been nice to get out for some long walks and soak up this sun.

What I've been noticing is that animals seem to have settled into a quiet pattern of winter activity.

You might have spotted an occasional red squirrel darting across the trail or heard one scolding loudly from a distant branch. Normally, they sleep through cold, winter storms and come out on warmer sunny days, but this year they've remained active every day.

This is also the time of year when you'll spot bucks chasing does with one thing in mind. The biggest bucks are remarkable for their large racks of antlers and thick necks, and they often run around with wet noses and open mouths as they track a female's reproductive condition by her smell.

Late fall and early winter are when wild turkeys gather in large flocks and this is a great time to watch their behavior. If you want to know more about turkeys, check out my article in this week's Lukas Guides newsletter.

Observation of the Week: Pine Grosbeaks

You might not realize it, but we are in the middle of a remarkable influx of pine grosbeaks this winter. These large, elusive finches live in high mountain forests and are rarely observed, but right now there are numerous groups in the Methow Valley, with dozens of birds hanging out in the campgrounds at Pearrygin Lake.

Birdwatchers eagerly seek out pine grosbeaks, and in fact one person has already contacted me about driving up from Portland, and today I met someone who drove over from Seattle to see our birds!

An unexpected movement of birds like this is called an "irruption," and it typically occurs in response to a shortage of food. There are reports of huge numbers of pine grosbeaks showing up, not just in the Methow Valley, but in unusual places all over the West, so something must be going on with their normal food supply.

Grosbeaks visiting the Methow Valley are devouring ash seeds at Pearrygin Lake, and this morning I was shocked to discover a large flock eating snowberries along Lester Road. This is the first time I've ever observed any bird eating snowberries.

If you get a chance, it's worth stopping at Pearrygin Lake to see these birds. Unless you're lucky, or spend a lot of time hiking in the mountains, this might be one of your best chances to see this unique finch.