This week, John Latimer showed off his skill for drawing my attention to small, overlooked details in nature. In this week's Phenology Report, John points out that owls perch upright while hawks tend to hunch over their perch. It’s a simple observation, but a powerful one for anyone trying to ID a bird while driving 60 mph down a highway.
As with any good rule, there are exceptions. In this case, the Northern Hawk Owl breaks the trend; this owl has hawk-like tendencies, including hunting during the day and perching at a hawk-like angle. In addition, individual birds may change their posture based on their behavior or environment. For instance, an owl might hunch forward when zeroed in on the sound of a vole skittering beneath the snow, or a hawk might sit with upright poise on a flexible perch.
However, broad generalizations-when based on careful observation-can be incredibly powerful. With insights like these, John has helped me move from merely seeing the world to noticing and appreciating it. I hope the phenology program does the same for you!
Topics
- Introduction (0:00-0:24)
- A look through John’s records (0:24-3:06)
- Owl irruption (3:06-6:58)
- Magpies, White-winged Crossbills, and Brown Creepers (6:58-9:35)
- Aspens begin to break bud (9:35-11:13)
- The hairy Juneberry (11:13-12:41)
- Conclusion (12:41-16:03)
What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.
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Contributed/University of MinnesotaThe invasive insect was confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in southern Aitkin County, Virginia and northern Pine County. All three areas are quarantined. -
Contributed/Ryan Rothstein via iNaturalistDuring the Phenology Report for the week of March 20, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers the advance of spring, and encourages us to watch for butterflies, waterfowl, and flowers on the maple trees.
That does it for this week! For more phenology, subscribe to our Season Watch Newsletter or visit the Season Watch Facebook page.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
