PEEC: Pocono Environmental Education Center

Winter Solstice

Natural Events
December:

Weasels and snow shoe hares loose their summer colors and turn white for the winter to help them blend in with their surroundings. Ruffed grouse can also be seen diving headfirst into the deep snow to utilize its warmth.
“False Hibernators”, are animals such as Skunks, Raccoons and Black Bears whom enter into a shallow winter sleep. While sleeping they maintain a nearly normal body temperature but a much reduced metabolism.
Many songbirds that stay in our area during the winter have adapted to the cold by producing up to 50% more feathers. Also by fluffing the feather out, warm air is trapped helping to maintain the bird’s body temperature.
During the last week of December we are blessed with one of the more spectacular seasonal events…the longest night…the winter solstice. And then, hurray!!!!! The days begin to lengthen and we can take comfort in the fact that spring is on its way!

January:

Eagles over wintering in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area can be found near open water around lakes, rivers and reservoirs feeding on fish and carrion (dead rooting animals).
During the second week of January female black bears give birth to 2-5 cubs in their winter dens. The females of Pennsylvania’s 8,000 black bears will only mate and give birth every other year.
Look for winter insects during the third week in January! Sounds crazy doesn’t it? Snow fleas are found in large colonies near the bases of tree trunks, and stonefly nymphs emerge from icy streams and shed their exoskeleton becoming winged adults.
The Great Horned Owl is the first bird to begin nesting and does so as early as the fourth week in January. These amazing ‘flying tigers’ prefer deciduous forests with hemlocks and white pines.

February:

In February the weather outside is frightful but that fire inside is so delightful. Mammals that do not have the luxury of a fire place have adapted other methods of surviving the winter. Two of Pennsylvania’s mammals have adapted true hibernation to combat the winter cold. Bats and Woodchucks body temperatures drop to near freezing greatly decreasing their heartbeat, which saves vital energy reserves.
For many mammals of Pennsylvania when the second week of February roles around, love is in the air. Mammals such as skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats and red and gray foxes mate to synchronize the birth of their young with spring.
As we move further into February the days get longer. With the longer hours of sunlight, male birds begin singing to attract females and stake out their territories. Listen for: black-capped chickadees, cardinals, mockingbirds, and finches.
During the last week in February the first and slinkiest flower of the spring breaks through the frozen ground. Skunk cabbage melts its way up through the ice and snow by producing its own heat, up to 72º F.

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Celestial Events
December:
Aries or The Ram is most often depicted running or jumping and is most easily spotted on beautiful December nights around 9.00 pm.

Perseus, The Hero is noted for slaying the monster Medusa as well as other archaic beasts in Greek Mythology. Perseus’s place in the night sky can most easily be seen during December evenings around 9.00pm.

January:
Orion is one of the most recognizable symbols in the night sky; his belt is composed of three stars, Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka, which are easily visible in the southern night sky around 9.00 on frosty January Evenings. Orion means The Great Hunter, accompanied by his two dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor Orion spends eternity in the night sky hunting celestial animals such as Lepus, the rabbit and Taurus the Bull.

Taurus, as with Orion can easily be seen around 9:00pm on January evenings. In Greek mythology Taurus is Zeus in disguise. As the story goes, Zeus disguised himself as a white Bull in order to lure his mistress Europa to his side. Taurus is also one of the thirteen Zodiac Symbols. Zodiac constellations are those which the sun appears to pass through during the year as the earth orbits the sun.

February:
Gemini is also one of the thirteen Zodiac symbols and is associated with masculinity and a positive attitude. Gemini is translated as, the twins. The twin stick figures in the sky are Greek heroes whom can be seen best around 9:00 pm on Freezing February nights.

Canis Major or Big Dog is best observed in the month of February at roughly 9.00pm. As one may expect with the name Canis, this constalation resembles a dog. Not just any dog however, Canis Major is one of the hunting dogs of The Great Hunter, Orion. Canis Major also has the honor of containing the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius or the Dog Star.

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PEEC Events
View our calendar of events by Date to see the programs available at PEEC for the winter season.

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