NATURE NOTES - Number 35 December 28, 2021
Introduction:
I’m going to do a flip-flop this time and talk first about the opportunities we have as scout leaders to promote nature to our scouts. Winter time may seem to be the least likely season to do a nature hike or find things in nature to talk about. Things seem dead, and drab, and grey, and not very exciting. Quite the opposite is true. Sure, the green, or most of it, is gone, and we may not hear the same birds we hear in the summer, and the insects and snakes are gone, but let’s look at some things that might be easier to see or find during the winter activities. Some things we may see in:
Our current topic: a Winter Nature Hike
Let’s start with the trees. Sure, the leaves are gone, and tree identification may be more difficult, except for the evergreen trees (See NATURE NOTE # 13). But this is a great opportunity to point out other things about trees. While it is not as easy to identify trees from their bark, it can be done with some study and experience. Even if you can’t identify them, point out the bark is different on the trees – color, texture, etc. This is something many scouts have never noticed. I found in teaching Forestry Merit Badge that they don’t know there are many, many species of trees, and that the bark, shape, wood, as well as the leaves are different. Help them out. Also, do some looking and scratching around under the trees. You may find some nuts or acorns that will tell you that a hickory or walnut or oak tree is nearby. You may find that many of the nuts have already been chewed into by squirrels or other animals, leaving only a partial nut for your study. You’ll find a lot dead leaves from the tree above and others nearby. Depending on how far along the decomposition is you may be able to find intact leaves that will allow leaf identification. Dig a little deeper and you will likely find leaves in some degree of decay. In a mixed hardwood forest, you will find mostly oak leaves on top, and other species underneath. Why? Couple of reasons. Oaks are among the last trees to drop their leaves in the fall and they cover up the others already on the ground. Also oaks contain a higher amount of tannin then other species, and this chemical helps preserve the leaf. Eventually all of this decaying matter will disappear into the soil and become part of what will grow more plants as the cycle continues. The deeper you scratch the more likely you are to find some other life: molds, in white stringy fibers, or slimy film on the leaves; or insects in adult forms or in some larvae stage that is spending its winter slowly chomping away on the forest debris and waiting for spring. Take a look at the ends of tree branches and see if you can fine the tiny buds that have already formed that will explode into new growth in the spring. They are there, already formed from last summer.
Winter is also a great time to look at terrain and rock formations since there is no foliage to hide them. Use this advantage to study the land – the slope, the contours, drainages, old trails or logging roads, etc. A good opportunity to add some map reading skills here as well. Rocks can be viewed in their various formations, such as tilts and slope, but also color that indicates to some degree the mineral content of the rock. Erosion can be seen easily. Look for those wind-fallen trees that have turned up a big pile of dirt and rocks showing what is underneath the forest floor. Use a little caution in reaching into crevices here, or you may find some wildlife as well. You don’t have to understand everything you see, or be able to identify the rock or tree, but simply pointing out the differences and the fact that these things in nature exist can help that young scout begin to get a feel for the vast nature world around him. This is something many young people simply don’t have.
Winter birds are available in the forest and around your bird feeder. The species are likely to change. While some head south in the fall, winter will introduce scouts to other species seen here only in the winter such as Kinglets, certain sparrows, and Juncos. These Juncos, called “snow birds” by some, are a good starter bird for scouts to look for at their home feeders. The small, slate colored birds with a white belly and pink bill are very common feeder visitors from the north. Their color will vary some based on their sex and maturity. Once in a while you can spot a heavily brown Junco with a black head. This used to be recognized as a separate species (the Oregon Junco) but has been determined to be a color variation of the Slate-colored Junco. Always a twist in trying to figure out nature.
These are just a few ideas on what to look for on a winter outing. Don’t assume there is nothing out there just because its winter. Take the opportunity to expose scouts to nature at all seasons. You might just spark that interest that will carry on for a long time. Good Luck!!
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Bob Garst
