HabitChat
Nature Watch: Bird Parenting 101
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis brings us into spring, a time of new plant blooms, emerging insects, pollinators galore, and much more! The lengthening daylight brings nature to life. Read more to discover the wonders that can be seen on the Islands in May, including the beautiful echo blue butterfly.
Nature Watch: The Crowded Month
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis brings us into spring, a time of new plant blooms, emerging insects, pollinators galore, and much more! The lengthening daylight brings nature to life. Read more to discover the wonders that can be seen on the Islands in May, including the beautiful echo blue butterfly.
Nature Watch: Night Flight
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis breaks down bird migration. Steve explains that millions of birds participate in migration with a large number doing so after dark. Read more to learn about a variety of bird species, migratory patterns and blooming plants you may see during the month of April.
Nature Watch: Flight of the Bumblebee
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis explains the characteristics of bumblebees and how they get a jump-start on spring, including their ability to fly in colder temperatures compared to other bee species. Read more to learn about bumblebees and other flora and fauna that will start to emerge in March.
Nature Watch: Diving Into Winter Waterfowl
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis dives deeper into the world of waterfowl in Puget Sound, maybe not to the depth of 200 feet like the Long-tailed Duck, but enough to learn more about several different species we might find on a February day on Whidbey and Camano Islands. Read more to learn about the underwater adventures of waterfowl and other critters.
Nature Watch: Making Tracks
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis reveals that snowfall offers a chance at discovering the movement of wildlife that may otherwise go unseen. During snowy winter days, follow the tracks of deer, rabbits, coyotes, raccoons and even shrews. Read more about how snow offers a glimpse into the lives of different wildlife species and learn about other encounters you might have while taking a January stroll.
Nature Watch: Going Undercover
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis explains how some small mammals and amphibians, and bird species like Pacific Wrens find shelter in ground cover during the winter season. Read more about how life in a forest survives the stormy season and learn about other species you might find on your December adventures.
Nature Watch: The Wet Kingdom
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis explains that cool, wet weather promotes a plethora of mushrooms that come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Not only is it fun to discover the many types of fungi on your walk through the forest, they also offer significant benefits to terrestrial ecosystems. Read more to learn about Banana slugs and other species you might see in November.
Nature Watch: The Ups and Downs of Migration
In his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch,” Land Trust member Steve Ellis explains how in addition to the well-known north/south migration route that brings birds to the Islands from Alaska and Canada each October, there is also a lesser-known vertical migration. One that brings montane bird species down to our Puget Sound backyards in search of milder weather and plentiful food. Read more to learn about other species you might see in October.
Nature Watch: Days of Quiet Desperation
A hush descends upon local forests in late summer writes Land Trust member Steve Ellis in his latest blog installment of “Nature Watch.” Looking ahead to September, we can still look forward to seeing some wildflowers such as the eye-catching Canada Goldenrod. The beauty of the flowers might help offset the muting of birdsongs. Bird species that are getting ready to migrate enter a time of desperate overeating in anticipation for a long journey. Read more to learn about other species you might see in September.