I saw two butterfly species on this second day of February, several Sleepy Oranges and a Mourning Cloak. Spring Peepers have been calling, as mentioned in an earlier post. Today, I actually saw one.
Besides the snake being captured by a Red-shouldered Hawk last Friday, Kent (Animal Department) reported seeing what was probably the same hawk catch one in the Lemur Yard on Sunday (1/29/12). From the descriptions given it doesn’t seem as though they were Brown Snakes so, although I can’t be sure, I’m assuming that both were garter snakes. Both Brown Snakes (Storeria dekayi) and Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) have been known to be out and about in both late fall and late winter/early spring. Of course, this is mid-winter. I saw a garter snake along the Eno River, just half a dozen miles or so from the Museum, on New Years Day this year!
I heard Spring Peepers out in force in the pond behind my house this morning. Are they out earlier than usual or is their normal time?
Hey Leslie.
You can hear peepers at any time during the winter here in the Piedmont of NC, especially when we have a few night time temps in the fifties. Freezing temps can shut them down quickly though. Although then can breed at any time the weather is suitable, the end of January into February seems to be their peek breeding time in these parts.
Thanks,