Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Winter in Québec can be a tough season for humans. Whether we have chosen to live here or found ourselves here due to circumstances beyond our control, the shorter days, the snow and the cold get to us all at some point. Thankfully, these factors rarely pose a problem when it comes to ensuring our basic needs are met. When necessary, we can seek refuge in our homes and we can replenish our food by simply popping over to the grocery store. While thriving may seem challenging at times, surviving winter is rarely a legitimate concern thanks to the luxuries many of us enjoy.
Wildlife species, of course, do not enjoy the same comforts as humans and therefore plants, animals and fungi rely on strategies (also known as adaptations) to help ensure their survival until the next reproductive season. Birds constitute one group of wildlife that employs a wide variety of fascinating strategies to withstand our harsh winters. Some migrate long distances, others go just far enough to overwinter more comfortably, a fair few stay put and endure, and some deliberately migrate to our region for the wintertime.
Surprisingly, many birds can withstand colder temperatures – even the seemingly fragile hummingbird! So why opt for one of the abovementioned strategies over another? As it happens, it is not so much a question of braving the temperatures as it is maintaining sufficient energy to keep warm despite the cold. Energy is the most important currency in the natural world. Consuming food is energy earned and going about daily activities – such as foraging and flying – is energy spent. Much like we budget money, wild animals budget their energy and staying “out of the red”, so to speak, increases the odds of survival.
In the winter, the constant need to stay warm dramatically impacts wild animals’ energy budget. As such, bird species whose food sources are not as readily available come winter, if at all, will struggle to survive unless they find ways to compensate for this lack of resources such as changing diet or migrating to more bountiful territories. This explains why the array of bird species we can observe in the forest or at the bird feeder changes from season to season.
So who goes where and why? Here are four species you might recognize that illustrate just how beautifully diverse the bird world is when it comes to adaptations to their environment:
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
(Colibri à gorge rubis)
Archilochus colubris
Despite their tiny size, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds embark on an epic yearly voyage to overwinter in Central America making them long-distance migrants. Dependent on nectar from flowers and occasionally supplementing this diet with small insects, they find themselves with fewer and fewer options as fall creeps in. So while hummingbirds can indeed survive colder temperatures (within reason) they are limited in their ability to consume sufficient resources to compensate for the energy loss involved in keeping warm.
American Robin
(Merle d’Amérique)
Turdus migratorius
American Robins, birds we often associate with the arrival of spring, are considered residents or short-distance migrants. Some may assume that they pick up and leave for the South like many other passerines, however, their seasonal movements actually depend on food availability and any environmental conditions that may affect their ability to forage.
In the summer, Robins dine on insects and other invertebrates as well as a variety of fruits such as chokecherries, dogwood and juniper berries. Come the colder months, when invertebrates are scarce, they have been known to either migrate a short distance in search of more resources or stick around if there are enough berries available in their winter territory. Contrary to species that migrate a more considerable distance, Robins will move just far enough to seek out more ample resources and they do not necessarily follow a direct route, but instead meander from one place to another in search of fruits. Their movements can also be nudged along by weather conditions that make foraging for fruits too difficult, such as a snowstorm.
Black-Capped Chickadee
(Mésange à tête noire)
Poecile atricapillus
Black-Capped Chickadees grace us with their amiable presence year-round and are therefore considered residents. Resident bird species are generally well-equipped to get through winter and the humble chickadee has some of the most interesting adaptations to help it survive.
In terms of ensuring enough energy intake, chickadees will shift their diet and foraging style. In summer their diet consists of 80-90% insects and this drops down to about 50% come winter when things like berries and seeds are more readily available. Furthermore, by foraging with other birds, they increase their odds of finding resources because they cover more ground and each communicates with the flock when it comes across a food source. Individuals will also set themselves up with reserves they can rely on when other food sources are in short supply. In the fall, chickadees are hard at work stashing food throughout their range. They tuck hundreds of seeds in holes in trees, under flaps of bark and in all kinds of other nooks with the intention of returning to these locations as needed. They remember where they hid everything thanks to a fascinating physiological adaptation. Every fall, the part of the chickadee’s brain responsible for spatial memory grows by approximately 30% to help the bird recall where it stashed food. The miracle of nature at its finest.
In addition to securing enough food, limiting the energy spent on keeping warm is equally important to chickadees’ survival strategy. When it comes to managing the cold, chickadees regularly fluff up their feathers, increasing the layer of insulation around their bodies and helping them maintain their core temperature (while looking adorably plump). On particularly cold nights, they find somewhere sheltered to roost and will enter a state of regulated hypothermia, dropping their body temperatures drastically (by about 9°C) so the overnight rate of heat loss (and energy consumption) is reduced. Otherwise, they rely on shivering to keep them warm, but this can be so intense that they use up most of their fat reserves and need to replenish them the next day.
Common Redpoll
(Sizerin flammé)
Acanthis flammea
Depending on population growth and food ability, Common Redpolls will find themselves in our neck of the woods in winter (or further south) and for this reason, they are considered irruptive migrants. Similar to Robins, they adjust their winter movements from one year to the next according to food availability. Redpolls call the arctic tundra and boreal forest home, but if they experience a population increase one season followed by a shortage in food in the next, they will migrate further south. This seems to happen approximately every two years. While spending the winter in our region, they’ll forage birch and alder seeds and are known to visit birdfeeders where millet, thistle and nyjer seeds are available.
Hailing from a much harsher environment, Redpolls are no strangers to cold, however, they have evolved adaptations to help them cope with extremes. To reduce the amount of time spent exposed to the elements as they forage, Redpolls make use of a pouch in their throat (diverticula) to store seeds until they can move to a more sheltered area to feed. This maximizes their ability to gather seeds under strenuous (and energy-depleting) conditions. When particularly frigid nights are in the forecast, Redpolls exploit the insulating quality of snow and will – believe it or not – break through the snow using their heads and then tunnel a foot or so further and spend the night snow roosting. This is an effective strategy that is also used by the likes of the Ruffed Grouse.
Stepping into January means something different for everyone. Whether you love, despise or simply tolerate the winter, turning to the natural world can provide a welcome (and sometimes much-needed) shift in perspective. The above-mentioned species are just a handful of examples of all the magic at work and taking the time to be curious and pay attention to your surroundings will almost always inspire joy and wonder. On that note, no matter your winter disposition, I leave you with some invitations:
When you snuggle up in your warm bed at night, have a thought for the Common Redpoll who may very well be sleeping under the snow or the Black-Capped Chickadee, feathers ruffled, slowly slipping into a state of regulated hypothermia
When you can’t find what you’re looking for at the grocery store and have to try somewhere else, think of the American Robin needing to travel hundreds of miles if suddenly there aren’t enough fruits available
When it feels like winter will never end, remember the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird who, without fail, will be back next spring, right along with the flowers and warm sunshine
And just let yourself say “Wow.”
Build Your Nature Vocabulary
Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!
- Species
- Adaptations
- Long-distance migrants
- Short-distance migrants
- Residents
- Passerines
- Irruptive migrants
- Snow roosting
References
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Some Common Nature “Do’s and Dont’s” | Part 1: Honouring the TrailApril 1, 2024 - 3:54 pm
New Year’s Resolutions and NatureFebruary 19, 2024 - 1:01 pm
How to encourage field birds in agricultural areas
Conservation NewsMany of our readers are landowners who might be interested in learning more about field birds.
The worldwide goal of 30% of the world’s water and land to be conserved and protected by 2030 is a huge goal. Let’s break it down to see what we can do, right here at home, in our own backyards. Everyone can make a difference and play a role in conservation and protection. Let us focus on the here and now in order not to be overwhelmed.
Please click here to read the article (available in French), published by CERFO.
“Comment favoriser les oiseaux champêtres en milieu agricole”
(How to encourage field birds in agricultural areas.)
The authors:
Bérubé-Girouard, V. and E. Boulfroy. 2023. Comment favoriser les oiseaux champêtres en milieu agricole. Fiche d’accompagnement pour l’implantation d’aménagements favorisant la biodiversité en milieu agricole no 4. Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie de Sainte-Foy (CERFO). 6 p.
“This project is an initiative of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), funded through the Advisory Services Program, implemented under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.”
https://youtu.be/24CoA4R0PyU
Nature Education Program : Part 2/3 completed
Conservation NewsAs an example of the activities
The point: Some animals carry on with their daily activities and have certain adaptations to manage their energy (find food, stay warm, etc.)
– Divide the students into 4-5 groups
– Each group gets a specific set of 5 symbols
-They have to remember the symbols and the sequence at the end of the hike
A parent said :
“In summary, Ugo is curious like many children his age and he really enjoys this kind of activity. He is looking forward to going back in the spring.”
Click below to make a donation:
Open Garden Days at Glen Villa Gardens
Conservation NewsOpen Garden Days at Glen Villa Gardens
We are pleased to announce that Patterson (Pat) Webster will be opening the Glen Villa Art Garden, her private gardens on the shores of Lake Massawippi, for tours on three Saturdays this summer. Pat will donate the proceeds from ticket sales to the Massawippi Foundation. Last year she raised over $50,000. Thank you so much, Pat, for your generosity and time.
This year’s dates are Saturday, June 17, July 15, and August 12.
Ticket sales will begin next month, and we will announce the date in our April newsletter. Sales will also be announced on Pat’s website, Glen Villa Art Garden.
The cost is still $25 per person. All proceeds benefit the Massawippi Foundation, which works to conserve land, build public trails, and fund projects that benefit communities around Lake Massawippi.
NEW this year! Pat is planning special events, available by reservation for a limited group of visitors: bird walks, garden planning, and design workshops, native plant identification, and more.
Stay tuned!
Migrations in Motion
Conservation NewsMigrations in Motion
© Nature Conservancy
Reproduced from an article from the Nature Conservancy. Justine E. Hausheer
Justine E. Hausheer is an award-winning science writer for The Nature Conservancy.
Reading Time : 3-4 minutes
Justine writes :
New research from Conservancy and university scientists revealed that only 41 percent of the natural land area in the United States retains enough connectivity to facilitate species tracking their preferred climate conditions as the global climate changes. As part of that study, scientists modeled the distribution and habitat needs of 2,903 vertebrate species in the Western hemisphere against land use and projected climate patterns.
Conservancy cartographer and analyst Dan Majka brought this data to life in a series of maps that show what corridors mammals, amphibians, and other animals will use as they move to new habitats under projected climate change. Inspired by wind maps of the United States, and using code from Earth global wind map, adapted by Chris Helm, Majka’s dynamic map allows scientists and the public to see the continent-wide impact of climate change on animals and visualize corridors they will need to move.
The question is, as the animals move to find new habitat because their old habitats are changing due to climate change, where will they go and how will humans interact with them? Looking at the map for the southern part of Quebec, the most heavily populated part of the province, you see the density of the animal migration in this sector.
How can we help?
COP15, the United Nations Biodiversity conference which took place in Montreal in December, concluded with a landmark agreement to protect 30% of the world’s inland waters, land and coastal areas by 2030.
This is a BIG ambitious goal which can cause people to have environmental anxiety.
What if we break it down and see what each community can do in their own backyard?
The Massawippi Conservation Trust (MCT) has been working on land conservation projects since 2011. Together with Appalachian Corridor (est. 2002) and 16 other conservation groups, we are raising awareness, hosting research projects, protecting land through donations, purchases and servitudes. We are building education programs to teach and grow a community of future conservationists.
The majority of the land that we have protected to date is connected, creating a `corridor` for flora and fauna. As we continue to grow, we are looking for more connectivity. We started in an area identified by Appalachian Corridor as being the most vulnerable to human development. These lands, with a very high ecological value, needed urgent attention before they would be lost.
Who protected them? A group of concerned individuals, not scientists, not environmentalists, but people who knew in their hearts that the Massawippi Valley was a special place that needed to be protected for the benefit of all – environmentally, aesthetically and historically.
Although the MCT trustees and Fondation Massawippi Foundation (FMF) board members have changed over time, the current members of the board are still passionate volunteers who bring to the table various skills. We have learned to identify and recognize problematic areas. We are working with our various partners, municipal governments, and other NGOs to see how we can protect more land or change the way we care for the land.
The benefits of ensuring private land conservation in conjunction with local and national conservation projects help mitigate the effects of climate change. Individuals have so much to contribute in terms of helping to regulate water quality and protect irreplaceable natural zones and ecosystems. Achieving objectives in the southern portion of Quebec depends on the contribution of private individuals and local land trusts. After all, most of the land is privately owned.
Some statistics on the land usage of the Massawippi Watershed
512 kms2 in Canada (another 90 kms2 in Vermont)
8.17 kms2 Lake Massawippi
239.6 kms2 of forested land
187.8 kms2 of agricultural land
4,86 kms2 protected by the Massawippi Conservation Trust
We have a long way to go; however, we are making progress. Some conserved lands are providing access to forests and lands for recreational activities and education, contributing to human health and well-being, as well as protecting environmentally sensitive lands, home for insects, birds, and other flora and fauna. Others are being left untouched for the exclusive use of wildlife.
Climate change is global, meaningful action is local.
COP15 global 30/30, MCT and FMF in the Massawippi Valley 30/30
Metamorphosis
Conservation NewsMetamorphosis
Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time : 5-6 minutes
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
(Quote from Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax)
We often think of conservation as taking place on a large scale, fuelled mainly by grand sweeping gestures like protests and game-changing legislation. But what if I told you that something as simple as caring “a whole awful lot” could be just as important, especially when it comes to finding and claiming our piece in the conservation puzzle?
Caring can take on many forms and in the case of the following story, caring took on the form of a mesh laundry basket…
Back in late August 2018, a retired Townships-dwelling couple stumbled upon an incredible discovery. A pale emerald gem, dotted with gold, hanging from their basement window. What a sight! It was so perfect and beautiful that it hardly looked real. Being of the Nature Nerd persuasion, they suspected it was the chrysalis of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), though it was somewhat uncommon for them to spot one in those days. Intrigued, they began to look around the surrounding plants and much to their surprise and delight came across multiple black, white and yellow-striped caterpillars! More Monarchs! This moment of wonder spurred so much interest they began to do some research.
Even at that time, a few internet searches painted a fairly dismal picture with the words ‘threatened’ and ‘endangered’ making several appearances as they tried to learn more about the Monarch Butterfly. Equipped with some background information, the next step seemed not only obvious but completely feasible: they would care for the Monarchs in their own backyard in whatever way they could. This started as simply “keeping an eye on things”. When they noticed the caterpillars being predated by other insects at an alarming rate, they made the decision to intervene. Enter the mesh laundry basket.
With a handful of caterpillars to house, a mesh laundry basket became the perfect nursery. Placed under the gazebo on their front balcony, furnished with a few sprigs of milkweed and a water source, the caterpillars were able to feed to their hearts’ content and begin the process of transforming, undisturbed. That year the couple released a total of seven adult monarchs and documented three individuals in their backyard who survived natural circumstances.
Fast forward to the present day and every year since they have found themselves eagerly anticipating the waning of summer so they can relive the magic all over again. Their operation has evolved according to all they have learned along the way and they take detailed notes on every cohort. In addition to the nursery (now larger and more sophisticated), they have started to place orange flags along the roadside every August. These flags indicate the location of precious milkweed plants and serve as a means of communicating with town workers who are charged with mowing the tall grass- “Let this grow, please!” It has become a tradition, an annual summer ritual and with each adult Monarch Butterfly that floats by, they relish a feeling of wonder, gratitude and connection for their piece of the conservation puzzle.
This story serves as a heartwarming example of the difference individuals can make when they care about something enough to take notice, learn more and then take action. It is also part of the inspiration for an upcoming project the Foundation has brewing…
Milkweed & The Massawippi Foundation Monarch Project
As a migratory species that travels thousands of miles every year to overwinter in Mexico, a multitude of factors have caused a significant decline in the Monarch population. When you zoom out and focus on the scale and complexity of the Monarch’s plight, it is discouraging, to say the least. Deforestation of their winter habitat and extreme weather caused by climate change have taken their toll. Where to begin? When you zoom in and consider the factors that are important in our region specifically, however, the situation seems far less daunting maybe even simple.
While Monarch butterfly adults will feed on the nectar of various indigenous plant species, Milkweed alone is the food source for hungry Monarch caterpillars who will eventually undergo metamorphosis. Unfortunately, this native plant has suffered a significant decline due to the use of herbicides throughout the Monarch’s range. What’s more, studies conducted within the last decade suggested the decline in Milkweed was the most important factor influencing the more recent Monarch population struggles.
Not unlike other plant species, the fact it was once “everywhere” and the fact its name contains the word “weed” likely contributed to it being disregarded by many as a plant of little consequence. But this article is not about lamenting the past, it is about looking to the future.
Once you know what it looks like, it is impossible to ignore the abundance of Milkweed flanking the first section of the trail at Scowen Park in North Hatley. In summer it grows tall and blooms with gorgeous, ample umbels of pinkish purple with a surprisingly pleasant fragrance. In the fall, the plant slowly desiccates and the seed pods mature and eventually crack open displaying a fish-scale arrangement of seeds. Even now, in winter, the dried-up stalks and split pods protrude from the snow. For the Massawippi Foundation, this habitat represents a world of possibilities.
Starting this spring, the Foundation is excited to launch its very own Monarch Butterfly Project. Inspired by stories such as the one above and by various initiatives of organizations across the country (see list below), the Milkweed-filled meadow at Scowen Park will become a hub for learning about and protecting the Monarch Butterfly population that breeds in our area.
The plan is to adopt and build on elements of programs started by other organizations so as to create a project that contributes to existing conservation efforts and is also unique to Scowen Park. Central components of the project include:
Consider this article as Part I of several outlining this exciting project as well as the fascinating natural history of the Monarch, pollinators in general, and the habitats on which they depend. We could not be more thrilled to be moving forward with this and we invite you to get in touch if you have resources to share or have an interest in getting involved.
Build Your Nature Vocabulary
Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!
References
Wetlands are a natural remedy for Canada’s sick lakes
Conservation NewsMark Gloutney is Ducks Unlimited Canada’s national Director of Science, Education and Business Planning.
Originally published in The Globe and Mail on September 9, 2022
Thank you for granting us permission to share this article.
Reading Time: 4-6 minutes
Chances are high that you saw it over the summer at your favourite lake: thick scum on the water’s surface, often resembling pea soup. Blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) can render water unsafe for swimming and often makes people, pets, livestock, and wildlife sick.
In July, Nova Scotia listed 26 waterways suspected to have blue-green algae blooms. Officials with Alberta Health Services identified blue-green algae in areas of Camp Lake, east of Edmonton, and Haunted Lake (an ironic name for a place fouled by the sinister sludge), east of Red Deer. The Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a blue-green algae warning for Little Manitou Lake, southeast of Saskatoon. British Columbia’s Capital Regional District saw toxic algae blooms in three different lakes across two regional parks in August.
In other areas, the issue has been a recurring problem. For the past two decades, federal authorities have been closely monitoring algae conditions in three lakes with chronic blooms – Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods and Lake Erie. The recently released State of the Great Lakes 2022 Report, published jointly by Canada and the United States, suggests there’s still a long road ahead for some of these iconic waterbodies, citing “significant threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, including the impacts of nutrients.”
While algae occur naturally in water, excess nutrients feed overgrowth. The problem often begins far away. Runoff water from the watershed flows downstream, carrying nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This could be a result of agricultural runoff, sources such as improperly managed septic fields, or wastewater treatment overflows.
Climate change is only making matters worse. Hot weather creates favourable conditions for blue-green algae blooms. August saw heat warnings issued in five provinces, spanning Eastern Canada from Ontario to the Maritimes. British Columbia also saw days of record-breaking temperatures this summer. As heat waves drive more people to seek respite in the water, the sickness plaguing Canada’s lakes may turn them away. People and animals exposed to toxic algae blooms can experience sudden flu-like symptoms and neurological problems.
Facing this, what can we do to keep our lakes healthy and clean? Protect and restore our natural wetlands.
Wetlands are amazing ecosystems that slow runoff flows, keeping excess phosphorus, nitrogen, and other harmful nutrients from lakes and streams. But they continue to be undervalued. Shrouded by cattails, the still and shadowy waters of marshes, ponds and bogs are often mistaken as a symptom of poor water quality rather than a solution to it. But don’t let appearances fool you. Wetlands are one of the most powerful solutions for chronic water issues.
Conservation organizations have long touted wetlands as water filters and a natural defence against the growth of blue-green algae. New research is quantifying this power.
For two years, Ducks Unlimited Canada studied eight small restored wetlands on the north side of Lake Erie to measure their ability to reduce nutrients in water before it reaches a lake. These small wetlands were low-lying, “edge-of-field” areas that had little value for crop production but enormous value in catching runoff from the surrounding agricultural lands. The wetlands retained 60 per cent of the most problematic form of soluble-reactive phosphorus from the water. They also retained 46 per cent of total phosphorus and 47 per cent of total nitrogen. Complementary research conducted in Manitoba showed that draining wetlands increases the amount of nutrients delivered to rivers and lakes downstream.
The good news is we have a strong understanding of what’s causing these outbreaks of blue-green algae and what can be done. The bad news is we’re not investing nearly enough to have a significant impact on the problem. Ducks Unlimited Canada estimates about 32 hectares of wetland are lost every day in Southern Canada.
Until we do more to conserve and restore wetlands, we can expect more beach closings and health advisories. Beyond the obvious drain on summertime fun, the economic, social and ecological repercussions will be significant. Depletion of fishery stocks, losses to tourism, as well as additional expenses related to water monitoring and treatment are all costly realities.
Wetlands are life preservers amid our water crisis. But these ecosystems are stressed. Will we move to protect them before it’s too late – for them, for our freshwater and for all of us?
Click on the link for more information and articles on wetlands written by our friends at Ducks Unlimited: https://www.ducks.ca/stories/
What looks like a dog, moves like a cat, and smells like a skunk?
Conservation NewsWritten by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading Time : 5-7 minutes
Two of my most memorable Nature Nerding experiences happened in the Massawippi Foundation’s trails last winter and both came about because I followed my nose…
While hiking back up from the lake at the Massawippi Trail in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley last February, I paused abruptly because I caught a hint of something pungent in the fresh winter air. Being quite certain what it was made me keen to have a poke around the trail. My friend watched as I let my nose be my guide, finally stumbling upon the source of the odour.
“Fox pee!” I exclaimed. My unbridled enthusiasm piqued hers and so I went on. “See? If you crouch down just here and sniff, you’ll smell a ‘skunky’ smell.”
Because she knows me and loves me just as I am, she obliged and a bemused, yet intrigued look came across her face. The investigation ensued. We followed the tracks leading to and from the urine and came across yet another goldmine of discovery: a mini kill site. Some small mammal had met its maker at the hand (paw) of a hungry Red Fox. And we got to see the disturbed snow and a few tufts of fur. Not so cool for the little critter, but a very neat find for a keener like me.
Fast forward to March 2022 and we are leading one of our first school activities at Scowen Park when that familiar smell wafts my way. With approximately 20 elementary school students in tow this time, the process of stopping is somewhat trickier. The look of excitement on my face manages to get everyone’s attention, however, and so I proceed to share my observation. And while talking about what my nose is picking up, I scan the surrounding area for tracks and traces. There it was, as though I had planned it. Right next to the trail is a spot of fox urine on a snow-covered log.
The kiddos who were curious enough, got up close to smell. Some were, understandably, content to “take my word for it”. Regardless, the conversation that followed around Red Foxes in winter and animal signs, in general, was quite possibly, one of the richest I’ve had. It was one of the rare occasions where we could actually talk about something and observe at the same time, feeling like we got a special glimpse into the world of this elusive canid.
Winter is actually one of the best times to learn about wildlife. This is because not all activity ceases in winter, and for some mammals like the Red Fox, it can actually be a critical moment in their lifecycle. Furthermore, snow provides a beautiful substrate on which we can observe some of the most fascinating goings-on of the forest. These two factors coupled together have helped me learn more about the Red Fox over the years, a species whose presence can be much harder to detect in other seasons.
So how can you expand your forest walk horizons and become more acquainted with wildlife like the Red Fox, for example?
Pick up interesting nature tidbits: I was first introduced to the concept of skunky fox pee by a fellow Nature Nerd (and animal tracker extraordinaire). Without this, I may not have ever noticed the smell while walking in the woods or I may very well have made the obvious assumption – must be a skunk who woke up? Consider this article as your tidbit – now roll with it!
When in the forest, slow down and let your Nerdy senses tingle: I noticed the skunky smell by myself for the first time while on a solo wander in the woods. The odour triggered a memory and so I took the time to see where the observation would lead. Next time you are in the forest, whether you slow down your pace or decide to stop for a few minutes, consider this an opportunity to truly engage your senses. If you focus on your sense of smell, for instance, does anything stand out?
Follow the clues, ask questions and make more detailed observations: Imagine you’ve smelled the smell. Now follow your nose! Maybe it’s the spot of urine you notice or maybe you see a trail of pawprints – or both. Ask questions like: Where is the urine located? What are the characteristics of each individual paw print? What about the pattern of the trail as a whole? Gather as much information as you can and try to even take photos or notes because this will help with follow-up investigation at home.
Do some research at home: Researching further at home can help you confirm your observations and learn more about the animal in question. In the case of the Red Fox, I had two main questions I wanted to answer: Other than the skunky urine, how can you tell the difference between a fox trail and that of a similarly-sized dog? Why the more pungent pee in winter?
As far as tracks go, foxes are members of the dog family, explaining the resemblance in pawprint, however, their trail is much more cat-like. One big difference between a fox trail and a domestic dog’s is the directness of a fox trail. A wild animal with energy to conserve has no time to dilly-dally and typically moves straight from point A to point B. A dog guaranteed two meals a day, can meander from one tree to the next, sniffing to its heart’s content. Insofar as the cat-like quality of the fox trail, this is because they direct register – which means their back paws land directly in the prints left by their front paws as they walk.
What’s the significance of strong-smelling urine? Come to find out, tods and vixens are in their mating season at this time of year and are busy trotting throughout their territories scent-marking. Urine is more potent this time of year as it is chock-full of information. Our unrefined sense of smell picks up skunk… Foxes pick up everything from the other fox’s sex and age to its breeding and dominance status.
I’ve been known to refer to my ability to detect the smell of fox pee in the air as a Nature Nerd “party trick”… but anyone can train their nose to do it, really. It’s not what you would call a subtle smell. The thing is, many of us walk the woods with an objective in mind. Whether it be to breathe in some fresh air, move our bodies or connect with a friend or family member- the agendas we bring with us into the forest can often distract from all the magical things just waiting to be noticed. It’s only normal, but it’s also worth reconsidering how we engage with nature from time to time so we may give ourselves the chance to behold this magic by simply slowing down and… taking a whiff.
Build Your Nature Vocabulary
Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!
References
January 2023 Newsletter
Our NewsView our January 2023 newsletter on Mailchimp
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COP15
Conservation NewsOnce it is gone, it is gone forever!
COP15
COP15 Montreal, Dec 15, 2022
One of the key targets of the COP15 is the 30 x 30 objective, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s natural land and sea environments by 2030.
Margot Heyerhoff, who is a Trustee of the Massawippi Conservation Trust (MCT), gave a presentation aimed to inspire participants through telling the story of the MCT, framed by the 4 tenets of conservation (conservation, research, recreation, education). Margot walked them through the humble beginnings of the Trust, the challenges, the successes, the growth in size and scope, the power of passionate volunteers and the many lessons learned along the way. It is a compelling story, told beautifully and it was enthusiastically received and most often described by participants as “inspirational”.
The energy in the room was palpable and positive.
The presentations of the day were focused on biodiversity and accelerating conservation in southern Quebec. Participants included the QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change, conservation organizations and partners, and mayors from Montreal, Monteregie and the Townships.
Key messages were:
• Strengthening, and government investment in, the conservation partnership
ecosystem in southern Quebec
• Urgency in the face of increasing economic pressure on land development,
climate change and the dramatic surge in flora and fauna migrating north into
southern Quebec from the US
• We only get one chance at conservation; once it’s gone it’s gone forever
Appalachian Corridor Association and Nature Action Quebec (NAQ) did excellent work in coordinating the event and supporting us. We learned a lot over the course of the day, met new conservation partners, made new friends and clearly elevated awareness of the Massawippi Conservation Trust.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Birds and Québec Winters
Conservation NewsWritten by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Winter in Québec can be a tough season for humans. Whether we have chosen to live here or found ourselves here due to circumstances beyond our control, the shorter days, the snow and the cold get to us all at some point. Thankfully, these factors rarely pose a problem when it comes to ensuring our basic needs are met. When necessary, we can seek refuge in our homes and we can replenish our food by simply popping over to the grocery store. While thriving may seem challenging at times, surviving winter is rarely a legitimate concern thanks to the luxuries many of us enjoy.
Wildlife species, of course, do not enjoy the same comforts as humans and therefore plants, animals and fungi rely on strategies (also known as adaptations) to help ensure their survival until the next reproductive season. Birds constitute one group of wildlife that employs a wide variety of fascinating strategies to withstand our harsh winters. Some migrate long distances, others go just far enough to overwinter more comfortably, a fair few stay put and endure, and some deliberately migrate to our region for the wintertime.
Surprisingly, many birds can withstand colder temperatures – even the seemingly fragile hummingbird! So why opt for one of the abovementioned strategies over another? As it happens, it is not so much a question of braving the temperatures as it is maintaining sufficient energy to keep warm despite the cold. Energy is the most important currency in the natural world. Consuming food is energy earned and going about daily activities – such as foraging and flying – is energy spent. Much like we budget money, wild animals budget their energy and staying “out of the red”, so to speak, increases the odds of survival.
In the winter, the constant need to stay warm dramatically impacts wild animals’ energy budget. As such, bird species whose food sources are not as readily available come winter, if at all, will struggle to survive unless they find ways to compensate for this lack of resources such as changing diet or migrating to more bountiful territories. This explains why the array of bird species we can observe in the forest or at the bird feeder changes from season to season.
So who goes where and why? Here are four species you might recognize that illustrate just how beautifully diverse the bird world is when it comes to adaptations to their environment:
(Colibri à gorge rubis)
Archilochus colubris
Despite their tiny size, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds embark on an epic yearly voyage to overwinter in Central America making them long-distance migrants. Dependent on nectar from flowers and occasionally supplementing this diet with small insects, they find themselves with fewer and fewer options as fall creeps in. So while hummingbirds can indeed survive colder temperatures (within reason) they are limited in their ability to consume sufficient resources to compensate for the energy loss involved in keeping warm.
(Merle d’Amérique)
Turdus migratorius
American Robins, birds we often associate with the arrival of spring, are considered residents or short-distance migrants. Some may assume that they pick up and leave for the South like many other passerines, however, their seasonal movements actually depend on food availability and any environmental conditions that may affect their ability to forage.
In the summer, Robins dine on insects and other invertebrates as well as a variety of fruits such as chokecherries, dogwood and juniper berries. Come the colder months, when invertebrates are scarce, they have been known to either migrate a short distance in search of more resources or stick around if there are enough berries available in their winter territory. Contrary to species that migrate a more considerable distance, Robins will move just far enough to seek out more ample resources and they do not necessarily follow a direct route, but instead meander from one place to another in search of fruits. Their movements can also be nudged along by weather conditions that make foraging for fruits too difficult, such as a snowstorm.
(Mésange à tête noire)
Poecile atricapillus
Black-Capped Chickadees grace us with their amiable presence year-round and are therefore considered residents. Resident bird species are generally well-equipped to get through winter and the humble chickadee has some of the most interesting adaptations to help it survive.
In terms of ensuring enough energy intake, chickadees will shift their diet and foraging style. In summer their diet consists of 80-90% insects and this drops down to about 50% come winter when things like berries and seeds are more readily available. Furthermore, by foraging with other birds, they increase their odds of finding resources because they cover more ground and each communicates with the flock when it comes across a food source. Individuals will also set themselves up with reserves they can rely on when other food sources are in short supply. In the fall, chickadees are hard at work stashing food throughout their range. They tuck hundreds of seeds in holes in trees, under flaps of bark and in all kinds of other nooks with the intention of returning to these locations as needed. They remember where they hid everything thanks to a fascinating physiological adaptation. Every fall, the part of the chickadee’s brain responsible for spatial memory grows by approximately 30% to help the bird recall where it stashed food. The miracle of nature at its finest.
In addition to securing enough food, limiting the energy spent on keeping warm is equally important to chickadees’ survival strategy. When it comes to managing the cold, chickadees regularly fluff up their feathers, increasing the layer of insulation around their bodies and helping them maintain their core temperature (while looking adorably plump). On particularly cold nights, they find somewhere sheltered to roost and will enter a state of regulated hypothermia, dropping their body temperatures drastically (by about 9°C) so the overnight rate of heat loss (and energy consumption) is reduced. Otherwise, they rely on shivering to keep them warm, but this can be so intense that they use up most of their fat reserves and need to replenish them the next day.
(Sizerin flammé)
Acanthis flammea
Depending on population growth and food ability, Common Redpolls will find themselves in our neck of the woods in winter (or further south) and for this reason, they are considered irruptive migrants. Similar to Robins, they adjust their winter movements from one year to the next according to food availability. Redpolls call the arctic tundra and boreal forest home, but if they experience a population increase one season followed by a shortage in food in the next, they will migrate further south. This seems to happen approximately every two years. While spending the winter in our region, they’ll forage birch and alder seeds and are known to visit birdfeeders where millet, thistle and nyjer seeds are available.
Hailing from a much harsher environment, Redpolls are no strangers to cold, however, they have evolved adaptations to help them cope with extremes. To reduce the amount of time spent exposed to the elements as they forage, Redpolls make use of a pouch in their throat (diverticula) to store seeds until they can move to a more sheltered area to feed. This maximizes their ability to gather seeds under strenuous (and energy-depleting) conditions. When particularly frigid nights are in the forecast, Redpolls exploit the insulating quality of snow and will – believe it or not – break through the snow using their heads and then tunnel a foot or so further and spend the night snow roosting. This is an effective strategy that is also used by the likes of the Ruffed Grouse.
Stepping into January means something different for everyone. Whether you love, despise or simply tolerate the winter, turning to the natural world can provide a welcome (and sometimes much-needed) shift in perspective. The above-mentioned species are just a handful of examples of all the magic at work and taking the time to be curious and pay attention to your surroundings will almost always inspire joy and wonder. On that note, no matter your winter disposition, I leave you with some invitations:
When you snuggle up in your warm bed at night, have a thought for the Common Redpoll who may very well be sleeping under the snow or the Black-Capped Chickadee, feathers ruffled, slowly slipping into a state of regulated hypothermia
When you can’t find what you’re looking for at the grocery store and have to try somewhere else, think of the American Robin needing to travel hundreds of miles if suddenly there aren’t enough fruits available
When it feels like winter will never end, remember the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird who, without fail, will be back next spring, right along with the flowers and warm sunshine
And just let yourself say “Wow.”
Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!
References