November is the month of the great migrations. From the far northern Arctic regions, massive flocks of waterfowl cross Ohio on their way to wintering grounds whose locations are somehow known even to birds who have never made the trip before. Visit Cleveland Metroparks refuges this month and see the spectacle for yourself.

As the last week of November approaches, the first significant snowfall is likely to occur and many Cleveland Metroparks lakes will begin to freeze over. It will be late December before most bodies of water are completely iced over and many of the migrating waterfowl move on to their winter homes further south. November is a month of transition, still warm with autumn one day and cold and snowy the next. Each day offers joys of discovery as another season changes in Cleveland Metroparks.

- Birds

Birds of all kinds from the Canadian northland pour into Cleveland Metroparks. Canada geese by the hundreds stop by Cleveland Metroparks refuges to rest and refuel on their way south. Among the smaller birds, the most common might be tree sparrows (light breast with a single spot), fox sparrows (larger than most sparrows and showing a rusty-red color), and juncos, sometimes called snowbirds. Perhaps extra seeds spread under your feeder would be appreciated by these small ground-feeding visitors.

Among the rarest migrants are northern harriers or marsh hawks. Look for these long-tailed predators hunting over Cleveland Metroparks wetlands. Even ducks sometimes fall prey to harriers.

- Mammals

November marks the peak of the white-tailed deer's breeding season. Adult bucks polish their antlers on small trees and shrubs to tell the world that this part of Cleveland Metroparks is theirs!

- Birds

This is the week of the tundra swans. Each year since our records began in 1984, these swans have appeared in the Rocky and Chagrin River valleys. Some may stop by Lake Isaac in Big Creek Reservation or Baldwin Lake in Mill Stream Run Reservation to rest and feed. Others are spotted feeding in corn fields along River Road between North and South Chagrin reservations. Flocks of over 300 have been counted as they head south.

Purple finches, another visitor from Canada, reappear throughout the area. Look closely at the reddish-colored house finches you have seen all summer and watch for a slightly larger bird, more purple than red, without stripes on its breast.

- Mammals

New beaver cuttings mark the last month of frenzied activity by these industrious creatures. They must set aside enough tender branches beneath the water's surface to provide winter food for a family of six or more.

- Birds

Rufous-sided towhees, singing "drink-your-tea" can still be found where crab apple trees bear fruit in Cleveland Metroparks meadows.

Dark-eyed juncos, apparently sensing the same day length as spring, begin spring songs each morning. As days shorten, the songs will cease.

- Mammals

Fox, gray and black squirrels are busy adding insulation to winter tree dens before the icy blasts of winter arrive.

Squirrels of all kinds return to bird feeders as the autumn crop of nuts has been eaten or stored for winter.

- Birds

The last autumn waterfowl appear at Cleveland Metroparks refuges. Look for hooded mergansers, buffleheads and goldeneye ducks.

Shoveler ducks with attractive bright green heads and large, scoop-shaped bills graze among shallow water plants.

- Mammals

Hardy woodchucks still browse among frost-laded grasses, storing up a few more days of food for their long winter hibernation.