The Truth of the "Fee-Bee" Bird!

Dear Readers,

Have you heard the call of the "fee-bee" bird? Growing up, each year around this time, my grandmother would take bring me and my sister outside to listen for the cooing call of the "fee-bee" bird--signally the very beginning of spring. 

She told us "Phoebe" was a friend of hers who came each year to tell her spring was on its way. Much more gullible than my older sister, I spent the springs of my childhood trudging in rain boots through the field in our back yard searching for this mysterious "Phoebe."

Although I never found "Phoebe," I did discover something else during my backyard adventures--the sense of joy and wonder that comes from exploring the changing seasons of nature. From the first green budding fern in the woodland, to the honking of geese over head as they return, witnessing the gradual transformation from winter to spring is something that awakens that sense of wonder is all of us. 

Yesterday I heard my first "Phoebe" bird of the season (actually the early spring call of the black-capped chickadees), and I could hardly believe that it was time to think of spring already, but there was "Phoebe" telling us it is on its way! There is still plenty of winter weather for us this year, but still, "Phoebe" is there to remind us that spring is coming soon!

 Here's what to look for outside this week:

• Listen for the spring "fee-bee" call of the "Phoebe" birds, black-capped chickadees.
• Step outside at night…Jupiter is one of the brightest objects of the February night sky.
• Wild turkeys are warming up for spring!  Listen hard and you may hear their calls. 
• Bear cubs are now one month old; safe, sound and warm in their dens. 
• Early geese (those that still migrate) begin to return.
• Find a warm, sunny area along a southern exposure and watch for brave spring flowers beginning to poke up.   

Wishing you a week full of wonder,

Alanna Medearis, Development & Communications Coordinator

Learn more about phenology and our wacky weather with our upcoming Vacation Day Programs on Friday, February 24.

WACKY WEATHER
Friday, February 24, 2012
9:00am - 12:00pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
As March approaches, weather can be very calm (like a lamb) or it can be strong (like a lion), so it’s the perfect time to delve into learning about Wisconsin’s wacky weather. Join us as we record the daily weather conditions and learn what drives our weather. We’ll model how weather works by making clouds and tornados, study and enjoy the wind and sky, and explore the forces behind severe weather, like hurricanes and tsunamis and play some wacky weather games.
ALNC Members: $18/participant; Non-Members: $21/participant

LUNCH BUNCH
Friday, February 24, 2012
12:00 - 1:00pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Your child will relax and enjoy nature stories read aloud by our naturalists while eating lunch. Afterwards, we’ll burn off some energy playing games outside with a nature theme! Please bring a sack lunch; we’ll provide water and lemonade.
Appropriate for children ages 5 and older.
ALNC Members: $6/participant; Non-Members: $7/participant

PHENOMENAL PHENOLOGY
Friday, February 24, 2012
1:00 - 4:00pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Phenology is Phun! Aldo Leopold once wrote, “The months of the year, from January up to June are a geometric progression in the abundance of distractions.” We’ll learn all about seasonal changes, what to expect, and how to record and track our observations. Participants will leave with their own phenology list of things to look for and record as spring approaches. We’ll have many adventures as we trample the trails with magnifying lenses, binoculars and notebooks, in search of spring robins and even try to predict the “ice-out” day on ALNC’s pond.
ALNC Members: $18/participant; Non-Members: $21/participant