North Woods Naturalist

Beavers have fat as well as fur to keep them warm in cold water, but otters have a different technique for dealing with frigid winters and spring. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about the otter’s unique adaptations

March was a warm one. Spring seemed to be in a hurry to get here. As such many birds and plants also started early. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about one of the warmest months on record.

Moving from February into March, there are many natural phenomena occurring as we edge to spring. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about moving into late winter.

Are chickadees being fussy when they pick up a seed at your feeder and drop it for another? What to blue jays do with all those seeds they gulp down? Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about birds who cache.

Some mammals like beavers and muskrats can get wet in the winter with no apparent problems. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about furry wet animals.

True hibernators and especially black bears, are giving birth this time of year. They have a special feature that helps them birth in winter. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about brown fat.

Unlike their raucous evening grosbeak relatives, pine grosbeaks are calm, melodious and are generally better mannered. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about these elegant visitors from the boreal north..

The Arrowhead has three large cats, and one of them seems to be more apparent this winter. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about the presence of bobcats.

We’re coming to the end of the year, and there are plenty of changes and activities to look for when we’re out on winter walks. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about what to see during the final days of 2011.

There’s a very busy member of the weasel family that populates our lakeshores and streams. Jay Andersen of WTIP North Shore Community Radio spoke to local naturalist Chel Anderson about the American mink.