February 1998

     Happenings in and around Linnaeus Arboretum

February is usually the most pleasant month of the winter. The first half of the month normally remains cold and cloudy but warmth and sunshine appear in mid-February and continue throughout the month.

Listed below are a few observations from a year ago in the Linnaeus Arboretum area, and out of the area when indicated. These events can be used to anticipate upcoming winter happenings and will help to compare this year with last.

1 -- First spring flight of homed larks arrived in Faribault area.

7 -- More bills of European starlings are tuming from black to yellow as nesting season approaches. St. Croix River in Hudson, WI, area is partly open.

11 -- More raccoons and skunks are coming out of their winter sleeping quarters. These animals are not true hibernators, although they den up, remain inactive, and live off their fat for several weeks each winter. Bald eagle pair has returned to nest near Cross Lake, MN.

13 -- Wild turkeys in southeast Minnesota heard gobbling.

15 -- American goldfinches showing a few more golden-yellow feathers as nesting season approaches. Dog sledding comes to a halt in Park Rapids area because snow is nearly gone.

16 -- Maple sap has begun running. Water stands on top of pond ice.

19 -- First eastern chipmunk seen above ground. First wintering over mourning dove heard cooing.

20 -- First flock of Canada geese observed flying north. Red-tailed hawk on nest in Brooklyn Park. Fields bare of snow, frost about out of ground in Waseca area.

25 -- More flocks of Canada geese are seen flying north. Pussy willow catkins noticed. Small ponds have rings of open water. In Brooklyn Park, first fresh pocket gopher mounds appear; great for potting soil. South of Lake City, 120 bald eagles seen.

25 -- First migratory American robins, red-winged blackbirds, and common grackles return. Rhubarb is beginning to peak up above ground. Many crocuses blooming in protected outdoor spots. Ring-billed gulls seen at Coon Rapids Dam. Killdeer observed near Austin.

28 -- Eastern bluebirds going in and out of nesting boxes at William O'Brien State Park. American woodcock and common snipe seen in Winona County. Pairs of Canada geese standing on territories in Fairmont area.