Owl You Need is Love & Oak Leaves Falling Phenology Monday

Hooray! We finally have enough snow to start enjoying snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, ice skating, ice fishing and all the other fun activities that make winter in Wisconsin so special.

Just like us, the natural world is now is full winter mode and buzzing with new phenology to keep an eye out for. Here's what's happening outside this week:

 

• The last of the oak leaves finally begin to fall off.  
• We have gained back about 30 minutes of daylight since the Winter Solstice.  
• Listen for the songs of the cardinal this week, a “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie”.  
• Forget about the frigid temperatures!  Red fox, wolves, beaver, owls, lynx and squirrels all begin mating this week.  
• Frogs remain in hibernation at the bottom of lakes and ponds.  Their blood contains natural antifreeze to help them survive the below freezing temps.