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.

December
At the Forest, winter is anything but still. As the last signs of fall slowly disappear, December is the time of year to ‘read’ the stories that can be found in the mud or snow throughout the trails. Observers can easily learn yesterday’s menus upon investigating the scat. The fox leaves his calling card alongside the raccoon’s signature. If one looks close enough, the bases of trees and bushes reveal the activities of small critters. Chewed nuts and pods give evidence that the animals are switching to their winter diets. Snowbirds (Dark-eyed Juncos) arrive from up north and can be seen hopping under the feeders to scratch up some seeds. They leave their tell-tale double prints in the snow and mud. Fox squirrels start the courting chases along the bare branches of the trees, with the females giving birth to the year’s first litters in February.

January
If it is a snowy January, be sure to get outside to experience the silence of the snow. It is a truly peaceful time of the year- a great escape from the hectic holidays. Great Horned Owls renew their pair bonds and start to pick out a nesting site. Honeybees clean the hive on warm days. Mourning cloak butterflies emerge from hibernation on warm days for a snack. Foxes and coyotes begin their courtships and mark their territories; keep your noses alert for this telltale sign that spring is coming. Take a stroll to the river to hear the crunch as the pancake-shaped ice floats by on its journey south.

February
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will we have six more weeks of winter or an early thaw? As you venture outside, be sure to look for red cup fungus peeking through the snow along the moist trails. Foxes and coyotes continue marking territories with their pungent scents. Listen for tiny Chickadees singing, “spring’s here” or “see-saw.” This may be accompanied by the “yank, yank, yank” that the White-breasted nuthatch adds. Anglewing butterflies start to emerge from under their bark hideaways to catch the early spring sunshine of a crisp February morning.

At the end of the month, the scarlet male Cardinal can be heard heralding spring from the warm top of a tall tree with its wonderful song and bright feathers, a splash of color that is very welcome this time of year! The maples and oaks bloom and the Great Horned Owls sit on their eggs. Fox Squirrels’ young are born near the end of February.

March
The geese can be spotted overhead as they journey north, while the Red-winged Blackbird males start to look for territories. Spring Beauties bloom overnight, the first of many flowers to grace FNA’s trails. Bloodroot will soon follow with its leaves unfurling in the warmer days. March is the month to travel to the Platte to experience the timeless migration of the Sandhill Cranes. This passage to spring has occurred for millennia and how lucky we are to have a chance to see it again! The Grackles and Robins visit our birdbaths in abundance as songbirds start to return to our area. The first ‘scouts’ of the Purple Martin flocks also return in mid-March. Spring is on its way!