Nature Happenings

• Project FeederWatch continues, www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw
• Christmas Bird Count is this month, birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count
• Great Horned Owls are pairing up this month – listen for their "who" calls.
• This is a great time to teach chickadees and titmice to feed from your hand.
• Watch for late waterfowl migrants such as Northern Shovelers, mergansers, Ruddy Ducks and Common Goldeneyes.
• Tundra Swans arrive.
• Purple Finches can be seen at feeders.
• Smith's Longspurs arrive for their brief visit to the north-central part of our region.
• Red-tailed Hawks and kestrels have arrived for winter.
• Geminid Meteor Shower is mid-month.

From Our Friends at UF IFAS

Birds

Snail kites gather in large south Florida roosts, and nesting activity begins.

This is the best time for watching waterfowl on wetlands, lakes, and prairies.
Great horned owls and barred owls courting. Listen for them.
Look for Goldfinches at north Florida feeders.
Yellow-rumped warblers (Butter Butts) will show-up at feeders.
In north Florida, bald eagles start hatching about Christmas day.

Mammal
Right whales appear off east coast north of Sebastian Inlet

Fish
Oscars abundant in Everglades Water Conservation Area canals, taking worms, crickets, and beetle spins.