Natural History Calendar

Gray partridge and sharp-tailed grouse often use snow for thermal cover, and may be found burrowing and roosting under snow.

Snow buntings come to the state to overwinter.

Snowy owls may be found overwintering in the state.

Northern hawk owls, an uncommon visitor to ND, may be seen.

Sage grouse survival rates are relatively high in winter. Winter diet consists almost entirely of sagebrush buds and leaves.

Sharp-tailed grouse diet consists primarily of berries (buffalo berry, rose hips, snow berrires, etc) and buds (green ash, alder, chokecherry, etc) during winter months.

Sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge often use snow for thermal cover, and may be found burrowing and roosting under snow.

Bighorn sheep breeding peaks.

Black bears are hibernating.

Striped skunks form communal dens but are not true hibernators.