Feathered and furred creatures may not have spent Monday flocking to grocery stores or checking the latest weather forecasts in anticipation of the winter storm, but they were making preparations nonetheless.

"Most critters do what we do - find a place to hunker down," said Milan Bull, senior director of science and conservation for the Connecticut Audubon Society.

Conifer forests of cedars, spruce and hemlocks are favorite storm shelters for birds large and small, from owls to eagles to chickadees, said Jenny Dickson, wildlife biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. They'll cling near the trunk of the tree, where they'll be best sheltered from high winds, falling branches and clumps of snow. As the storm approaches, birds' internal weather radar kicks in, prompting them to do some binging.

"The day before, you often see frenzied activity at bird feeders," Dickson said.

Some birds that do not normally form flocks will find each other during a big storm, huddling together in an empty wood duck box, birdhouse or other shelter to keep each other warm, she said. Sparrows, wrens and other birds may find their way into barns or under the eaves of houses to ride out the storm, Bull said.

Mammals, including rabbits and deer, will shelter in tangled thickets, brush piles, nooks and crannies between boulders or fallen trees, or other woodland pockets that are protected from blowing snow, Dickson said.

"And the snow does provide some insulation," she added.

Once the storm subsides, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and other winter birds will be back out searching for food. Some small mammals may go to exposed rock ledges and stone walls free of snow to hunt for food. Many birds will be returning to backyard feeders, so keeping them cleaned off and filled with seeds is important, Bull said.

"Keep beef suet out for the woodpeckers," he said. "And put an old Christmas tree or other shelter near the feeder where they can hide."

While backyard birdwatchers may have been filling their feeders on Monday, other animal lovers prepared for the storm by visiting their local pet stores.

"We had 10 people waiting to come into the store when we opened this morning at 9," said Jason Goulet, pet products manager at PetSmart in New London. "People need to keep their four-legged kids fed."

Among those stocking up on dog food Monday was Melissa Lees of Old Lyme. Her cart held a bag for Sid, her "energetic" labradoodle who loves the snow, and another for Lucky, her Tibetan terrier who's not a fan. She also had picked out a couple boxes of bones and some dental chews, and was looking for one or two new toys.

"I'm just getting some things to keep them entertained," she said.

Maura Gibbons of Salem made the trip to PetSmart after getting out early from her job at the Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut. Her storm preparations entailed buying 60 live crickets to keep her bearded dragon lizards fed.

"My large one eats 50 crickets in about 10 minutes, every couple of days," she said. "In between he eats vegetables."

j.benson@theday.com

Twitter: @BensonJudy