This Week at Door County’s Crossroads: Fox in Love, Ski Trails, Door Weather

Posted on 06. Feb, 2010 by in Nature

At Crossroads at Big Creek, the creatures seem to sense the approach of Valentine’s Day.

When setting up a lecture for The Big Read a couple weeks ago, we noticed a pair of fox — each showing great interest in each other. Love is in the air. And as the days get increasing longer, romance seems to be blossoming throughout the preserve.

Fox start to pair up in January and by Valentine’s Day, they are hunting in pairs and traveling together. Coyotes are also getting that loving feeling. Often this time of year, we hear the male and female coyotes howling sweet nothings to each other.

Those grey squirrels you see chasing each other through the trees? They are NOT playing tag.  The courtship chase can become quite frenzied with both males and females making a funny “chuck” sound. This behavior is the prelude to mating and the dominant male usually gets the privilege of fathering the next generation.

Little red squirrels come into heat in February. When a female gives off a chemical come-on, males will show up and chase her, sometimes hours at a time. Oddly, males seems to be following a scent trail given off by the female rather than following the female herself.

Skiers at Crossroads follow trails, thanks to Jim Maki – our master trail groomer. On Valentine’s Day here at Crossroads (weather permitting) you are invited to bring your loved ones to our Community Ski. Friends of Crossroads started the tradition of Sunday ski and snowshoe loans  to promote family togetherness. By the way, if you have cross-country skis, boots (Salomon) or poles that you are no longer using, Friends of Crossroads would thank you from the bottoms of their collective hearts if you would donate them.

Like amorous wildlife, the  weather which does or does not permit skiing is influenced in part by the lengthening daylight plus a whole array of other factors. If you want to learn the basics of weather,  you will want to attend the lecture on Wednesday, February  at 10:00. “Weather in Door County ” will be a simple introduction to the concepts of weather presented in layman’s terms.

Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs focusing on science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center , located at 2041 Michigan in Sturgeon Bay , is open 2:00-5:00 daily, but will be closed Friday and Saturday for a teacher workshop.

Sundays,
1:00-3:00 Community Ski (weather permitting)

Friends of Crossroads (who are all heart!) loan snowshoes and cross-country skis on a first come first serve basis to anyone who wants to get in touch with nature. Free.

Wednesday, February 17
10:00 Lecture: Weather in Door County

Everybody talks about the weather and that is exactly what we will be doing in this lecture….talking about weather.. Unfortunately, we will be unable to offer reliable predictions. Free. Lecture Hall, Collins Learning Center .

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