We started November still not having a
frost and were able to continue to enjoy blooming flowers and decent
temperatures. Finally on November fourteenth, we got frost and snow
flurries. Several days later, the temperatures took a nosedive into
the twenties. There was light snow mixed with rain. Thankfully, we
did not receive the huge amounts of snow that the Buffalo area did
and hopefully, we never will. Where would it all go here in the
village? If such a snowfall was to happen, I know that Round Lakers
would make the best of it. We would help each other dig out our walks
and cars as well as, shovel off heavy snow loads from porch roofs.
Snow sculptures, forts, and snow people would be everywhere. But
wait! We might have our opportunity as I am now hearing of a storm
coming in for Thanksgiving. Fingers crossed that it stays well under
a foot.
When the leaves are off the trees,
bird, paper wasp, and squirrel nests are all revealed. The squirrel
nests are the round leaf balls we see usually in the crook of trees.
They are called dreys. These nests are made up of leaves attached to
small twigs or branches. An inner nest consists of grass, moss,
leaves, and pine needles. The opening is most times against the
trunk. Squirrels make these at the end of summer or early autumn to
keep warm on frigid winter days and nights. The drey is not sheltered
enough to have January babies in them and instead tree cavities are
used. The drey is fine for the June brood. Look for these nests all
around the village. Once you notice them, you'll see them everywhere.
Last winter I watched European Starlings poking their bills into a
drey most likely, looking for insects to eat. Sometimes squirrels
will abandon the nest if there are too many lice and fleas in it.
Another thing to look for at this
time of year are vole tunnels. They are runways dug underneath the
grass or soil and appear slightly mounded above the ground. The
tunnels lead from a sheltered area to a tree where the vole can chew
the bark and roots without being seen by predators like foxes and
owls. There is one in Schoolhouse Park right now. If you face the
park and walk up the left side, it is on bare ground. Hope you spot
it. Also, skunks have been out nosing around for grubs and earthworms
in the park. They put their noses to the ground and dig with their
front claws, leaving a hole the size of their nose. While still in
the park, walk back beyond the labyrinth on the east side and you
might see some Eastern Bluebirds flitting around in the trees. I saw
four of them the other day in this spot.
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