Refuge for Endangered Wildlife: Ranger's Journal

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Fall Arrives at Grouse Mountain

Temperatures have fallen to just above zero and we've seen our first snow fall. This means it's time to break out the winter jackets and gloves!

Grinder and Coola have fattened up and are spending more of their time sleeping in the woods. The other morning they slept in until after 10am before finally getting up to eat. Soon they will begin to build their winter bed inside the den by dragging in silver-fir branches.

The wolves have grown back their winter coats and have put on more weight to see them through the upcoming cold months. They can still be found, however, laying out it the fall sun, soaking it up and enjoying the last remnants of summer.

Most birds have migrated off the mountain for warmer climes, but some, like the Grey Jay, have arrived back on the mountain to spend the winter. Grey Jays, also known as Whiskey-jacks, spend their summers in the alpine and return to the sub-alpine environments when the snow begins to fall.