2017

Autumn Bustle in Forests

With the first snow and the cold north winds, the last autumn days have arrived, and we will soon be celebrating winter solstice. Nature is also preparing for winter peace, so let's take a look at how forest inhabitants are getting ready for the coldest season of the year.

In most parts of Latvia this November weather was favourable for a number of terrestrial invertebrates, such as various insects, spiders, woodlice, stone brambles, snails to be able to maintain visible activity. Part of the invertebrates that hibernate deep underground, such as worms, ticks, crustaceans maintain moderate activity during the cool period of the year. However, the majority of our terrestrial invertebrates expect to spend the winter stiff. Already in autumn, as frost is approaching, water in their bodies is slowly replaced by glycerine; therefore ice crystals damaging cells are no longer formed in their bodies.

Leaves have already fallen. This year it happened very rapidly. Prior to the separation from trees, most of the nutrients in leaves are transferred to the tree trunk, while all the unnecessary and harmful substances accumulated in leaves fall on the ground. In autumn, the growing activity of all woody plants decreases. In winter, it will stop completely to be restored again in spring.

The forever green coniferous trees add some colours to the otherwise gloomy autumn landscape. While the earth is not covered with a thick snow cover also bilberry and cowberry bushes give a greenish touch to the grey surroundings.

There is a mushroom species that even enjoys the November coolness. Even if the first frost touches these mushrooms, they continue growing until the frost becomes strong and persistent.

There was a plenty of cranberries this year. Those who were not picked up have already become soft. Because of the rain floods, the red berries were under water for a long time, and therefore they are sopping. This autumn, as it turns out, was one of the wettest autumns since records began and the richest in rainfall in this century.

In October, spawning period started for salmonids - the brook trout, salmon and sea trout. Rivers are full of salmons in November. Salmonid eggs will remain in pits specially dug by the parents where they will lie until spring.

At the beginning of November, one can often hear geese. It is not easy to see the geese, since they usually fly very high, in beautiful formations or at least in rows. A notable increase in the number of these birds in Latvia is evident during the migration period. Cormorants are also among the many species of migratory birds that have a significant increase in the number of specimens in our territory. These birds, when flying together, just like geese, make a nice line or even a formation. Looking from a distance, cormorants can be mixed up with geese.

As winter comes, small birds due to safety reasons - to have more eyes and ears - tend to live in small flights. There are also some opposite-minded birds, such as piciformes, who live alone also during the cold season of the year.

People will notice more and more birds looking for feed by their windows. However, it should be remembered: once you start feeding them, it must be continued, since the birds who get accustomed to feed that is always available start to believe that there will always be something to eat.

At the beginning of November, one can often hear geese. It is not easy to see the geese, since they usually fly very high, in beautiful formations or at least in rows. A notable increase in the number of these birds in Latvia is evident during the migration period. Cormorants are also among the many species of migratory birds that have a significant increase in the number of specimens in our territory. These birds, when flying together, just like geese, make a nice line or even a formation. Looking from a distance, cormorants can be mixed up with geese.

As winter comes, small birds due to safety reasons - to have more eyes and ears - tend to live in small flights. There are also some opposite-minded birds, such as piciformes, who live alone also during the cold season of the year.

People will notice more and more birds looking for feed by their windows. However, it should be remembered: once you start feeding them, it must be continued, since the birds who get accustomed to feed that is always available start to believe that there will always be something to eat.