Fall 2006 Phenology by Naturalist Jim Gilbert

NOVEMBER

1 Flocks of migrating Tundra Swans are seen and heard overhead - a wonderful sign of fall. Low temperature of only 18 degrees resulted in thick ice on the bird bath. Ponds even have a thin layer of ice.

3 Low of 12 degrees today (normal low is 30 degrees). Ponds are iced. White-throated Sparrows and Fox Sparrows continue feeding on the ground under feeders. Several thousand Tundra Swans are on the Mississippi River in the Brownsville area.

5 Warmer today. High of 63 degrees. European Larch Trees have colorful golden-yellow needles. It’s time to wrap young tree trunks, especially fruit and maple trees, to protect them from winter sun and rodent damage.


7 Rafts of American Coots and flocks of Franklin’s Gulls are present on Lake Waconia. American Tree Sparrows return for the winter.

8 Summer-like afternoon today with a high of 72 degrees in the Twin Cities, 82 degrees in Mankato.

9 Last flock of Common Grackles seen. A moose was seen in Lake Minnetonka area today.

10 A foot of heavy, wet snow fell at Hollandale where Eastern Bluebirds were enjoying crabapple fruit during the storm. The early snowstorm hit south central and southern Minnesota, and over into Wisconsin, but missed the Twin Cities.

11 Low of 19 degrees. Last Great Blue Heron and Franklin’s Gull seen on Lake Waconia.

13 First measurable snowfall at Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport: .1 inch. Juncos are the most numerous of the bird feeder birds.

17 Northern Shrike spotted at Elm Creek Park. The White-tail Deer’s rutting season reaches its peak these last two weeks of November.

24 Temperature in the mid-50s today. Golfers are out and some boats are still on the lakes. Last flock of migrating American Robins noted. Bald Eagles can be seen around Lake Minnetonka.

28 Another day in the 50s and thunderstorms over the Twin Cities area. The last tugs and barges went through Hastings today; marking the closing of the Mississippi River shipping season.

29 Low of 10 degrees. Ice on ponds again.

30 Small lakes frozen over as well. Low of 7 degrees and a high of only 18 degrees.

DECEMBER

1 No snow in the Twin Cities and throughout most of the state. Still a few late Eastern Chipmunks out and about. Freeze-up date for Pelican Lake at Breezy Point.

5 Freeze-up date for both Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet in Minneapolis.

8 People have begun venturing out on the ice. Always remember: it takes 4” of new solid ice for safe ice skating and fishing; 8-12” to support a car or truck. In 32-degree water, you have 15 minutes before losing consciousness.

14 Our landscape is still brown. High of 50 degrees was welcomed by Twin Cities golfers.

16 Results of three Audubon Christmas Bird Counts held today include: 70 people in Bloomington observed 66 species including robins and turkeys; the Mankato count yielded 42 species including 20 Bald Eagles; and the St. Paul count included 61 species with the highlight being a Black-crowned Night Heron.

17 The 61st Cedar Creek Christmas Bird Count (northern Anoka County) resulted in 43 species. This year there were more Wild Turkey, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks, Mourning Doves, Pileated Woodpeckers and Northern Cardinals sighted than any in the past 60 years of the count.

25 Brown Christmas in the Twin Cities and most of Minnesota.

31 The biggest snow of the new winter season hit on this last day of the year. About 10” of snow fell on Waconia and Mankato. Bird feeder birds such as juncos and chickadees are numerous.