01 • 03 • 2017
Changeable Winter in the World of Animals
Although March is the first month of spring, it does not necessarily mean that the cold has stepped back. Weather forecasters still promise frosts; however, more and more often one can feel breezes of spring in the air. In the world of forest animals things go their own way.
This winter has been rich with meteorological records and very changeable weather conditions. There have been days of frosts, as well as rainy week-ends completely unsuitable for skiing. It is no longer a surprise that in one end of the country it is raining, while in the other there is snow and blizzards. It is nothing unusual, if the temperature differences between the western and eastern regions of Latvia reach 20 degrees.
It is nothing unusual for this winter that with temperatures climbing above zero, grasslands and fields of winter crops having survived the snow blanket become green again. It is nothing unusual for this winter that with temperatures climbing above zero, one can spot some species of insects and smaller spiders bustling and rustling.
A warm coat and a good winter's sleep
Many species of mammals during the cold season of the year look larger than in the warm months, because since autumn they have been dressed in thicker coats. Part of the animals that are active also in the cold season of the year, are wearing special winter's shoes - the hair on their feet and toes has become thicker.
Badgers, raccoon dogs, hedgehogs, dormice, birch mice spend winter in sleep or in deep slumber. Also bears, unless they have been disturbed by thaw or people, should be hibernated. The bear is not only Europe's largest predatory animal, it is also the biggest animal that hibernates during winter.
Squirrels have interestingly adapted to winter life: they are the only rodents, which in any season of the year are active only during the day. They, as we know, do not sleep during winters; however, in unfavourable weather conditions they crawl into their nests or cavities and sleep around the clock.
It's "wedding" time
For the majority of animals winter is the time when the basic principle of evolution "most adaptable survive" may be observed very explicitly. However, for representatives of some species the cold season is the mating time.
Freshwater burbots (fish that simply love cold) started spawning already when the water temperature dropped to +2 degrees, but this process became more intensive exactly during the severest winter months - in January, February. Although burbots are singletons, during the spawning period adult, at least fifteen-centimetre-long specimens of this fish gather together in small shallow upstream areas.
Already in late January, the "wedding" period for wild boars came to an end. Now adult boars are again living alone, but sows - in sounders together with previous year's piglets.
In January, at the beginning of the mating period, packs of wolf families that were made during the winter season start falling apart, and only both old animals stay together. They are faithful to each other for their entire life; another partner is chosen only if the previous partner has died. Three-year wolf males then compete for the young or widowed females, but only wolf females chose their spouse for life. It has happened now.
Also beavers indulge in pleasures of love exactly during the coldest period of the year (January, February). And as a result in April or May each adult female beaver will give birth to three to five babies.
The "wedding time" has also come for foxes; therefore one should not be surprised to see two, three foxes in one place. These animals rut in February - March. Despite the fact that at the beginning of the time of passions each female animal for some time is chased by several males, who tend to come to blows from time to time, foxes are monogamous - a female fox gives herself only to one follower, with whom she makes a stable pair for the entire season.
Also lynxes have the rutting season. The mating period lasts from early-February to mid-March. These animals have become more active, they are moving around more intensively, thus leaving more footprints, and it is very easy for the nature enthusiasts to follow and watch them. Footprints left by animals suggest that also grey hares are ready for rutting.
Birds - the most visible animals in winter
The small birds are able to withstand the cold only if they are sufficiently fed. Birds have fast metabolism; therefore tits, goldcrests, nuthatches, common creepers and other small birds spend their days in areas rich with trees. Robins or red-breasts that in winter feed on different seeds and buds stick together in small independent groups, just like green finches. Also corvids choose not to spend the winter alone.
In contrast, piciformes outside the nesting season live in forests on their own. If you see woodpeckers in large maple crowns suspiciously often, take a closer look at what they are doing there. Woodpeckers are keen on maple juice. Birds of prey do not drink maple juice, but they also tend to spend winter alone.
All birds share their main concern - to survive until spring, the nesting time - to survive the winter, whatever it may be like. Some male birds already feel that they have successfully survived the winter and tell about it with their songs. Big tits usually start singing early - this year already in early January. At the beginning of February, also the bluetit and common blackbird started singing. And now they have been joined by the red crossbill and the parrot crossbill. At silent nights one can often hear the tawny owl howling. And during the daytime - sea eagles clicking. In the vicinity of nests camouflaged with green needles both birds of a couple can be spotted. Sea eagles, just like tawny owls, start nesting early: in late February or early March adult females lay eggs.
Ravens and nutcrackers also belong to the early nesters. They are already in pre-nuptial mood: these birds have begun to live in pairs; they do not leave their territory and sing from time to time. On sunny days one can hear the thrill, far-sounding mating songs of the largest woodpecker - black woodpecker males, because already since mid-February these birds are in pre-weeding mood.
Also the first migratory birds - lapwings, wild geese, sowing geese, northern swans, wild pigeons, woodcocks, field larks - have been spotted here and there. We should be happy about the return of the migratory birds; however, some people are concerned about the spring migrants. It is because of avian flu.
