Steinbach Online, written by Judy Peters Friday, October 10, 2025
https://steinbachonline.com/articles/eerie-sounds-and-misunderstood-creatures-exploring-fall-in-the-tall-grass-prairie
The fall season is full of cozy sweaters, colourful leaves, and pumpkin spice everything — but nature has its own way of celebrating the season. As the days shorten and the air grows crisp, the tall grass prairie transforms into something a little mysterious. The rustle of dry grasses, the hoot of an owl, and the distant yodel of a coyote can make even the bravest hiker look over their shoulder.
According to nature guide Norm Gregoire of Shared Legacy, this eerie atmosphere is exactly what makes fall so fascinating. “As the weather starts to cool down and the leaves fall from our trees, especially the oak trees, they can have that creepy look to them sometimes,” he says. “Then if you hear an owl start hooting or a coyote yodeling, your mind starts playing tricks on you.”
Gregoire leads the popular Adventures with Nature Norm walks through Manitoba’s tall grass prairie. Each month, he explores a different theme, and this October, it’s all about the misunderstood “creepy crawlies” and spooky sounds of nature. But while the setting might seem eerie, he assures there’s nothing to fear — only fascinating lessons to learn.
The importance of the icky
As insects settle into winter dormancy, Gregoire explains that even the tiniest creatures play a big role in keeping the ecosystem healthy. “Most insects go into something called diapause, which is kind of like an insect hibernation,” he says. “People think of them as creepy, but they’re really important. They’re the first piece of the food chain — if you have a healthy insect population, you’ll have healthy birds and mammals.”
Even flies, he says, are often overlooked heroes. “There are species of flies that are more important pollinators than certain bee species,” Gregoire adds. “They may not be cute, but they’re crucial.”
In the tall grass prairie, this balance between predator and prey, pollinator and plant, is especially delicate. The region’s remaining prairie pockets — among the last of their kind in Canada — are home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects that depend on each other for survival. “Every sound you hear, from a cricket’s chirp to an owl’s call, is part of that larger story,” Gregoire says.
Bats, wolves, and misunderstood creatures
Fall is also a time when bats and nocturnal animals get a bad reputation. Gregoire hopes to change that. “There are thousands of bat species in the world, and only about three are blood drinkers,” he notes. “The ones we have here in Manitoba are fruit eaters or insect eaters.”
And while wolves might send a shiver down your spine when you hear their howls, Gregoire says they deserve admiration, not fear. “They play a key role in the ecosystem, and during the walk, I’ll share stories I’ve learned from experts about how to howl like a wolf,” he says with a laugh. “Don’t worry — it’s a daytime walk, so there’s no full moon to worry about.”
Of course, not every “spooky” encounter is with a predator. Gregoire recalls one startling moment in the woods that turned out to be less frightening than expected. “I heard crashing beside me and thought something was coming to get me. It turned out to be a ruffed grouse,” he says. “It flew right toward me! So the moral of the story — be more afraid of grouse than of wolves.”
Sounds of the season
Autumn also brings a change in the soundscape. The buzzing of insects fades, replaced by the rustle of dry leaves and the calls of migrating birds. Owls, which Gregoire describes as “the soundtrack of spooky movies,” become more active and vocal. “We have some really interesting-sounding owls in our area,” he says. “When you hear one, it’s always a bit of a treat for me.”
These changing sounds, sights, and smells make fall a perfect time to explore. “There’s a special kind of beauty in this season,” says Gregoire. “It’s quieter, more reflective. You notice things you might miss in summer.”