NDR Local winter weather predictors

[Brad F]

How many here watch for natures weather predictors? I watch for the woolly worm caterpillar, berry crops, etc. I noticed this Mountain Ash tree in the yard where I was raised about 50 miles North of Spokane. It's so loaded that if we get a wet snow before the Waxwings, Robins, Ruffed Grouse and turkeys get after it there will be some damage. This is an extreme crop for this tree.

We are supposed to get a wetter than normal winter here in Eatern WA....rain and snow in the lower elevations and lots of snow in the mountains. This regions ski areas are around 6000 feet and some have opens already.

Just wondered if anyone else has a local predicotor to share.

 

[Pete McMiller]

I used to be more in tune to natures signals, back when I trapped and was able to spend most days outside. The caterpillars, size of muskrat houses and feed beds, and several other indicators that I don't even remember anymore.

Now I am more in tune to the cycles of wildlife and how early or late they are. It seems in recent years that things like rut activity, Aspens turning color, etc. that tell me how early or late the spring or fall is going to be seem to be universal across the whole of North America rather than localized.

A few years ago I hunted elk in Colorado and the rutting activity, aspens, etc seemed to be 2-3 weeks late. The next week I was in Newfoundland and the moose rut was also late and there were still berries the first week in October. Then I came back to Wisconsin and the deer rut seemed late and along with that the ducks were late.

Question is, are my observations the result of a warmer climate or something else. If the climate is warming and we continue to see things like very late waterfowl migrations, shouldn't the season dates/structure reflect that? Is it predictable?