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What the Smokies Hide Until January
Smoky Mountain Nature Lady Newsletter Jan. 2026 - Vol 2, Issue 1
Cindy Johnson
January 02, 2026
⏩FAST FACT
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has documented 240+ bird species, and about 60 are year-round residents, making winter birding surprisingly lively.
Male Eastern Towhee - image taken from my Birdfy Camera Feeder (best gift EVER)!
❄️🌲The Leafless Forest is More Revealing Than You Think
If you've ever stepped outside in January and thought, "Well… everything's asleep," let me happily disagree.
Winter is when the Smokies stop distracting us with leaves and flowers and start showing us the structure of things. It's like the mountains pull back the curtain and say, "Okay, now pay attention."
Here are a few of my favorite winter "reveals" to look for this month:
1) Nests you never noticed before
With the canopy thinned out, nests pop into view like little surprises.
Bird nests tucked in forks of branches
Squirrel dreys that look like messy leaf-balls way up high
“Somebody’s” nest in my crepe myrtle
Squirrel dreys that look like messy leaf-balls way up high
Hornet nests that look like gray paper lanterns hanging in the open
Just hanging around . . .
(Quick note: admire from a distance. Some critters still use these spots as shelter.)
2) Lichen and moss, front and center
Winter light is perfect for spotting them on rocks and bark. Lichens are made up of tiny partnerships at work (a fungus teamed up with algae or cyanobacteria), and they come in crusty, leafy, and branching forms.
It turns an ordinary tree trunk or rock into an art exhibit.
Jelly lichen
I confess to being a moss “addict.” Must touch the moss. All of it.
3) Mistletoe, the green "ball" in bare branches
When everything else is gray-brown, that clump of green stands out like a neon sign. Once you start seeing it, you can't stop.
Check out all the mistletoe clumps in this old oak.
4) Evergreen vs. not-evergreen
Winter is the easiest time to learn about trees and shrubs. Evergreens keep their needles and leaves; deciduous ones show off twig shape, buds, and bark patterns. Pick one tree you see often and make it your "January study buddy."
5) Hidden rock faces and rocky ledges
Leaves hide a lot. In winter, you'll notice cliffs, boulders, and exposed ridgelines you've walked past a dozen times.
Boulders/rocks are much more visible when leaves are missing.
6) Waterfalls, louder and easier to see
Winter often means fewer leaves blocking your view, and waterfalls can be quite dramatic when the air is cold and clear.
The Sinks - GSMNP
7) Backyard birding can be extra rewarding
Winter is the perfect time to set up a bird "pit stop" - a feeder (or several) and fresh water. Birds burn a lot of energy staying warm, so reliable food and water can make your yard a busy place and an excellent viewing spot.
White-throated sparrow, Carolina chickadee, Carolina wren
Don’t miss the magic! Check out my pop-up shop for cool nature merchandise. Open https://smoky-mtn-nature-lady.printify.me in a new window.
📌Wilderness Wildlife Week: Come Say Hi!
One of my absolute favorite winter traditions is attending Wilderness Wildlife Week at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, which runs Mon.-Thurs. January 5–8, 2026. It's FREE and open to everyone.
Heads-up: hikes, bus trips, Jeep tours, and some craft classes use online sign-ups (they began Dec. 15, 2025, so some programs are full) for certain activities.
I'm Presenting a New Program This Year!
Beyond the Buzz: Meet the World's Weirdest Pollinators
Tuesday, Jan. 6 - 11:00 AM–12:00 PM - North 1
Yes, there will be door prizes. Yay!
If you come, please introduce yourself. I love putting real faces to our little nature community.
📝WORD UP
Drey (dray): A squirrel's nest, usually a big ball of leaves and twigs tucked into a tree fork. Once the leaves drop, dreys are suddenly easy to spot.
Whose footprints are these???? Snow and mud are great places to find animal tracks (and scat) to ID.
⭐️NATURE CHALLENGE
The Winter Reveal Scavenger Walk
On your next walk (backyard, neighborhood, park, anywhere), try to find:
3 different nests
2 lichens in varying colors or textures
1 clump of mistletoe
1 "new" rock face or cliff you've never noticed before
1 winter bird moment (a flock moving through, a woodpecker working, anything)
Bonus: Snap a photo or two or jot a sentence for each find in your nature journal. By the end of January, you'll have some "Winter Field Notes" you can refer to later.
🍃CONSERVATION STATION
If you love wildlife like I do, there are a few small winter habits that help wildlife in your area (and keep you safe, too):
Keep bird feeders clean and consistent. If you feed the birds, try not to stop abruptly during severe weather, and clean feeders regularly.
Offer water when you can. Even a shallow dish refreshed daily can help.
This birdbath is pretty with all the snow on it, but it isn’t helping the birds!
Leave the "messy" stuff. Leaf litter and brush piles are winter shelters for insects and other creatures that birds depend on. Small animals can also den there during the cold.
Hike smart. Stick to only marked trails, wear proper footwear for the weather, and plan for changing conditions.
🎥VIDEO CONNECTIONS
Here’s a fun video from Smokies Life - a winter hike to Baskins Creek Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
💬QUOTE-A-PALOOZA
He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.
— John Burroughs
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Until next time…
If January feels a little plain right now, I hope you'll step out and let the Smokies (or your own neighborhood) prove otherwise. Winter is full of cool stuff, and I hope you're like me - the kind of person who looks for them all.
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