HabitChat
Nature Watch: The Large and the Small
Growth spurred by lengthening daylight and warmer temperatures goes beyond the land to the Salish Sea writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Looking ahead to June, the underwater kelp forests will explode with growth and harbor an amazing assortment of invertebrates that graze on the kelp. While young rockfish, gunnels and juvenile salmon are just a few fish species who may also be seen amongst the kelp in search for shelter and food. Read more to learn about the species you might see in June.
Nature Watch: Dawn Chorus
Up to 20 species can be heard vocalizing in our local forests writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Looking ahead to May, we can expect a chorus in full voice. Male songbirds proclaiming a breeding territory while plants burst with a palette of colors to attract the attention of pollinators. Read more to learn about the species you might see in May.
Nature Watch: Nature in a Hurry
Only mammals seem unrushed writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Looking ahead to April, we can expect to see migrating birds in a hurry to get to northern breeding grounds. Salmon making their way to Skagit and Dugualla bays. Plants leafing out and blooming. Some raccoon cubs and coyote pups could be welcomed to the world as well. Read more to learn about the species you might see in April.
Nature Watch: Nature Rolls the Dice
Nature stirs but it’s only a tiny fraction of what is to come writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Some species of small fish are spawning, Red-legged frogs are laying eggs, several duck species are entering courtship and buds on deciduous trees and shrubs swell with lengthening daylight.
Nature Watch: First Stirrings
Nature stirs but it’s only a tiny fraction of what is to come writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Some species of small fish are spawning, Red-legged frogs are laying eggs, several duck species are entering courtship and buds on deciduous trees and shrubs swell with lengthening daylight.
Nature Watch: Nature in Stasis
Nature’s pulse barely registers in the darkest month of the year writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” As Deciduous trees and shrubs set their buds and await longer, warmer days, the bird migration has ended and the only avian movement seen is between one resource to another.
Nature Watch: Winds of Change
Fierce storms arrive in November, writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Heavy winds can down large conifers bringing more sunlight to the forest floor. Deciduous trees and shrubs take full advantage of the change. These storms also bring snow to the North Cascades forcing birds to migrate to the lowland forests. Read more and learn about the Pacific Madrone and Varied Thrush.
Nature Watch: Autumn Drama Unfolds in October
Nature turns off the tap in October, writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest installment of “Nature Watch” in the Habitchat blog. As temperatures drop outside, dramatic changes are underway all around us. Squirrels are busy gathering nuts, birds have begun their southward migration and the jousting has begun for male deer preparing for the rut.
Nature Watch: September Starts Nature in Motion
Nature is on the move in September, writes Steve Ellis in his latest installment of “Nature Watch.” Some birds are leaving the islands while others are just now arriving. Mammals, and even some plants, are in motion, too.
Nature Watch: August Offers Days of Abundance
Naturalist and Land Trust member Steve Ellis shares what you can expect to see in nature on the islands each month. Expect to see a lot in August.
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