Outdoor Almanac
Every day brings new wonders. What does Mother Nature have in store for us in the coming weeks? Find out everything from the phases of the moon to wildlife happenings in our Outdoor Almanac, which is excerpted from Mass Audubon's Sanctuary magazine.
November | December | January | February
November 2013
November 4
Mushrooms are still coming up; look for the bright caps of yellow Pholiota growing on logs and vase-shaped clusters of oyster mushrooms on tree trunks.
November 12
Peak migration date for snow buntings.
November 15
Late-migrating raptors such as rough-legged and red-tailed hawks are migrating.
November 17
Full moon. The Sassafras Moon (Choctaw).
November 19
Field crickets move into country houses.
November 23
Watch for dragonflies over sunny meadows on warm days.
November 26
Late-fruiting mushrooms such as the oyster mushroom are still evident in the woods.
November 28
Oaks hold their leaves.
November 30
Watch for robins in wild cherries, dogwood, sumac, and viburnum.
December 2013
December 6
First snows around this date.
December 9
Witch hazel blooms, the last flowering shrub to blossom.
December 15
Watch for the tunnels of boring beetles beneath loose bark.
December 17
Full moon. The Oak Moon (English medieval).
December 19
The buds of spring are set. Look for the variation of shapes and colors.
December 21
Winter solstice. Longest night of the year.
December 25
Look for evergreen Christmas ferns in the snowy woods.
January 2014
January 1
Begin the New Year with a winter walk.
January 4
Watch for pine grosbeaks and redpolls in evergreens and birches.
January 8
Look for the bright stems of red osier dogwood along stone walls and roadsides.
January 12
January thaw. Around this date a warming trend often occurs. Watch for flights of bees and other insects.
January 14
Stoneflies bask on exposed rocks near running water.
January 15
Full moon. The Quiet Moon (Celtic).
January 18
Watch for fox and bobcat tracks.
January 30
Great horned owls begin to nest about this time.
February 2014
February 2
Groundhog Day. According to legend, woodchucks predict an early spring if they don't see shadow; a longer winter if they do.
February 10
If there’s a snowmelt, look for traces of tunnels dug by voles and shrews.
February 14
Skunks emerge to mate about this time of year. Listen for their squabbles late at night.
February 15
Full moon. The Moon When Trees Pop (Dakota Sioux).
February 17
Starlings begin their whistling about this time. Listen also for the spring songs of chickadees and titmice.
February 20
On warm sunny days, look for signs of snowfleas at the bases of tree trunks, like a sprinkling of pepper on the snow.