Humans have recorded natural events since the beginning of time, from sunrise and sunset to the arrival of migratory birds and the ripening of various crops. Recording these natural events is known as phenology. Below is a list of the natural history events occurring in our area right now. You may use this as a guide while exploring the Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods Nature Centers. Please note that the timing of events always depends upon weather and various environmental factors.

January
Let nature help you unwind after the hectic holidays. It is truly a wonderful time of year to walk in the woods and observe wildlife in their natural surroundings. Some call January the dead of winter, but much is happening in the Forest. An exciting winter visitor is the Sharp-shinned hawk (pictured on this Leaflet’s cover). This agile accipiter is often looking for smaller birds to eat. If the Forest suddenly becomes verrrry quiet...look in nearby bushes and trees for this amazing hunter. It has been known to fly through an evergreen to emerge with a small bird in its talons. Watch and listen for great horned owls, which are renewing their pair bonds and picking out this year’s nest sites. It is a great time to hike the trails along the Missouri River to see bald eagles perched on tree branches. Keep your eyes peeled for the shy red fox and coyote that are marking their territories and courting during this time of year. Your nose will tell you if you are close to their part of the woods! Additionally, mourning cloak butterflies emerge from hibernation on warm days to seek out a snack of sap or scat. Honeybees will also emerge for a bit of hive cleaning.

February
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will we have six more weeks of winter or an early thaw? Regardless of the prediction, you won’t see this hibernating rodent in the Forest until early spring. However, there are many birds throughout winter’s landscape. Listen for the tiny chickadees, ‘spring’s here’ and ‘see-saw.’ This invitation to spring is often accompanied by the “yank, yank, yank” of the white-breasted nuthatch. The tufted titmouse will also join the chorus with its ‘peter, peter, peter.’ During your Forest strolls, look for red cup fungus peeking through the snow along moist trails. Foxes and coyotes are still marking territories with their pungent scents. Anglewing butterflies will emerge from under their bark hideaways to catch the early spring sunshine of a crisp February morning. Towards the end of the month, splashes of color appear in tree tops where the male cardinal dressed in his finest red feathers announces spring with his beautiful song. If it warms a little by the end of month, the maples and oaks will bloom. The fox squirrel’s first batch of young arrives in late February and the great horned owls are now sitting on their eggs.

March
As you hike during March, keep your eyes to the trails’ edges where Spring Beauties will pop up and bloom almost overnight. These tiny flowers are the first of many that grace our woods during early spring. Bloodroot and violets follow closely behind the Beauties. Listen for returning geese overhead and the early male red-winged blackbirds staking their nesting claims near the marsh. The Ides of March usually herald the return of the purple martin scouts. Keep the birdbaths full of water for the returning robins and grackles. It is also time to experience the timeless migration of the Sandhill Cranes along the Platte River. Spring IS on its way!

Visit http://fnaNatureSearch.org to explore the forest at home.