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SPECIAL ISSUE ® NOVEMBER 2020 Winter Thrills for Everyone Experience Wild Winter Lights, toboggan rides and more Spotlight: Garfield Park Learn about the history of this historic gem Winter for Amphibians Discover how they survive the freezing cold Fall Hayrides at Mill Stream Run Reservation Bridal Veil Falls in Bedford Reservation A LETTER FROM BRIAN ZIMMERMAN November is a Time to be Thankful It’s hard to believe it’s November. As the cooler air and coming arrival of winter often brings us to a state of introspection, November also is a time of year to be thankful. While this past year, has certainly changed our community in ways we still do not yet understand, there’s still much to be thankful for. I’ve found myself being more thankful than ever for the Emerald Necklace and the vision set forth by William Stinchcomb over 100 years ago to protect greenspace for future generations. Park and trail use remains high and we know that our parks have been more important than ever to the 48 communities they serve. For adventure, of course, but also for solace and introspection. CONTENTS In this month’s publication, I hope you take away something new and hopeful from our park naturalists. November is “prime time” for a great diversity of bird species. Easily spot 2 Letter from Brian the colors of migrant birds among the leafless landscape, as strong winds bring in a wide 3 Woodpeckers in Winter variety of gulls and loons along our shoreline. These birds make our great lake their winter home due to the large populations of fish and are a positive a sign of the health of our 4 Wisdom of the Woolly Bear waterways. & Life in the Leaf Litter The November issue is also filled with ideas for adventure. While the weather is getting 5 Naturalist’s Almanac & cooler, it’s a perfect time to bundle up for a long hike and explore somewhere new. Gift of Nature Cleveland Metroparks many waterfalls are some of the most magical sights to seek out 6 Eastern Wild Turkey & this time of year. Our naturalists have outlined a few highlights in Bedford Reservation for Winter Preparation you to explore. While ice fishing is still a ways away, we have a few tips to help you prepare if you’re looking to try winter fishing! 7 Prehistoric People & Full Beaver Moon While this year has been different and difficult, it has also allowed us to get creative and provide new opportunities for our park guests. From the magical decorative adventures at 8 History of Garfield Park Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to an all-new winter experience at Merwin’s Wharf in The Flats, 9 Waterfalls of Bedford we hope you join us in getting outdoors this winter season. And while there of course will Reservation be new safety measures, we’re excited to again offer a season of icy fun at the Chalet’s toboggan chutes in Mill Stream Run Reservation. 10 Capital Projects This November I hope you will join us and stay thankful for our Emerald Necklace. We’re all 11 Conservation & Science in this together, Ohio. See you out there! 12 Winter Activities 13 Nature Shop 14 Winter Fishing Guide 15 Winterize Your Garden Brian Zimmerman 16 Don’t Give Into Winter Yet Cleveland Metroparks CEO 17 Fall Cleaning 18 Wild Winter Lights 19 Zoo News 20 Winter Birding 21 Amphibians in Winter & Under the Pond Great Falls at Viaduct Park in 22 Appetite for Acorns & Bedford Reservation Kids Leaf Guide Cleveland Metroparks is now hosting a limited number of 23 Kids Corner outdoor-only, public programs. Registration is required. 24 Directory & Map Visit clevelandmetroparks.com for details. 2 Emerald Necklace November 2020 | Vol. 69 #11 FEATURE ARTICLE Downy woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker A medium-sized bird, this woodpecker has a unique barred black and white Woodpeckers back. The males have a bright red cap that covers their crown and nape, while the female has a gray crown with red in only on the nape. Be careful in using its name for identification purposes, as the belly is not noticeably red, rather more Winter of faint wash. With a barbed tongue that can extend nearly three times the length of its bill, it is not uncommon to see this woodpecker foraging on trees. Males, with a larger and wider tongue, tend to search tree trunks, while the females Photo by Bob Boddy prefer the branches. hile so many birds are well on As you hike the trails of Cleveland Hairy Woodpecker their way to warmer locations, Metroparks, keep your eyes and ears open Sometimes confused for the downy Wthere are several hard-core for signs of these beauties, including the woodpecker, this checkerboard-winged species that will tough out Ohio winters holes created while searching for food and species is quite a bit larger (almost 50% with us. Able to find ample food and the sound of rapid tapping or pounding taller). With this larger size comes a shelter, four of the seven species of coming from the trees. larger beak. The hairy’s beak is almost as woodpeckers found in Ohio will grace Here are the most common winter long as its head. With a diet consisting of the snowy winter scenery with their woodpeckers listed in order from largest to 75% insects, this bird has a reputation of striking black, red and white coloration. smallest: following their pileated friends. As newly With a diet consisting mostly of insects, created tree holes are vacated, the hairy these birds must be skillful. Foraging by Pileated Woodpecker will follow behind, looking for leftovers. sound is key to their success, as this time Ohio is home to the largest woodpecker Downy Woodpecker of year, insects are not found out in the species in North America, the pileated open. Cold temperatures force native woodpecker (pronounced PIE-lee-ay-tid or The smallest woodpecker in North insects to seek shelter, often underneath PILL-ee-ay-tid, both are correct). About the America, the downy is a smaller version tree bark. Woodpeckers have the ability size of a crow, this keystone species is black of the hairy woodpecker. This black-and- to listen for the differences in sound and white with a bright red mohawk-like white patterned bird is only 6-7 inches when tapping a tree. They are also able crest. It is known by many as the “Woody (from the tip of bill to the end of its tail), to hear wood-boring insects feeding on Woodpecker” of the forest. Drawn to dead compared to the hairy at 9-11 inches. the tree. Using these techniques allows trees, you may hear the laughing call (“cuk- Their beak is short and stubby, less than them to easily discover insect tunnels cuk-cuk”) or the echoing drumming. Look half the length of its head. Similar to the and their next meal. When times are for oversized rectangular holes in trees. If hairy, males have a splotch of red on the tough, these hardy birds will adapt and you are fortunate to catch a view of this back of their head (absent on females). eat other things such as seeds, nuts and bird, look for the male’s red moustache. In winter, it’s common to see a downy in fruit. a foraging flock with chickadees and nuthatches. There is so much to be discovered in nature, especially in winter. Get out on the trail or set out your suet for a glimpse of these winter wonders! Val Fetzer, Manager Hairy woodpecker Red-bellied woodpecker Pileated woodpecker Rocky River Nature Center Photo by Marty Calabrese Photo by Bob Boddy Photo by Bob Boddy clevelandmetroparks.com 3 INSIDE OUR PARKS Nature Never Wastes: Wisdom of the Woolly Bear very culture on the earth has drawn life. Here are three woolly bear nuggets uses its own hairy bristles to construct wisdom from the natural world. of truth to ponder: a cocoon, shedding its exoskeleton to Aesop’s Fables, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, create a new pupal shelter. By reusing its E • Woolly bears follow natural instincts Native American legends, African tales own resources, it saves energy. to make wise decisions that set the and scores of other traditions feature course for a promising future. Fall is the • Woolly bears stay flexible and diversify nature as a wise teacher. time when the caterpillars are innately to take advantage of life’s opportunities. With November’s subdued colors and preparing for winter, engaged in last- The caterpillars are generalists and can northwind blasts, humans often find minute feeding and desperate searches eat a variety of different plants to survive. themselves in a state of introspection. for a winter hibernation spot. Soon their The success of this moth is related to its Looking to the wisdom nature possesses, metabolism will come to a halt and their diet adaptability. John Muir once said, “Nature never bodies will begin to produce a natural Nature never wastes! Nature’s woolly bear wastes.” The woolly bear caterpillar antifreeze. caterpillar has a lot of wisdom to offer to (Pyrrharctia isabella) of fall is a prime • Waste not, want not. An amazing those willing to observe and listen. example of an animal that never wastes transition overtakes the woolly bear as and can serve as a sagacious example for Foster Brown, Naturalist it transforms from a larva to a pupa. It North Chagrin Nature Center Life in the Leaf Litter eaf litter — the layer of leaves, twigs, big and small. So many invertebrates, and bark that carpet the forest floor — from the ubiquitous potato bug to barely L is an essential component for healthy visible animals like the pseudoscorpion, ecosystems in our temperate forest.