January Nature Happenings
Project Feeder Watch starts and extends until April.
- January 13: New Moon
- January 28: Full Moon
- Place your discarded Christmas tree in a brush pile. Birds will use it as a shelter during the winter.
- Black Bear cubs are born beginning in late January.
- Red and Gray Foxes begin their breeding season and continue into February.
- Now through late March is a difficult time for birds; providing food and an open source of water is important.
- Raccoon mating season.
- This is an irruption year!! Watch for winter finches like Common Redpolls, Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, even Pine Grosbeaks at your feeders.
- Look for Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers at suet feeders and in trees.
- Stoneflies emerge on tree trunks and stones by open water.
- Watch for Honeybee “cleansing” flights during January thaws.
- Start planning your butterfly and bird gardens this month. Include plants, trees, and shrubs that attract and shelter birds and other wildlife as you plan your backyard habitat.
- Listen for Great Horned Owls' "hoot" and for Barred Owls caterwauling as they pair up for mating season.
- White-tailed Deer bucks are shedding their antlers.
- Late in the month, as days lengthen, Tufted Titmice and cardinals begin to sing.
- Aldo Leopold's (Father of Wildlife Conservation) birthday Jan. 11
Print this page and hang it on your fridge to refer to all month long!
Current Moon Phase
![]() |