After coming out of the coldest and snowiest winter we’ve experienced over the past few years, we welcome spring.
But how do we know that spring is really here? Well, there are a few signs that will give us some much-needed encouragement.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen large V-shaped flocks of geese, stringing out across the sky, honking their way north to their breeding grounds in Canada. Those aren’t residential geese that have chosen our lakes and parks to spend their lives. They’re a sure sign that spring is quickly approaching.
There are other birds that are moving back north. Robins are appearing on people’s lawns and red-winged blackbirds are here as well. The males arrive first and pick out nesting areas in our fields and marshes. Some people have even seen blue birds taking up residence in their small, wooden houses.
Before long the hummingbirds will arrive. They migrated all the way to Mexico and Central America last fall, but are now on their way back. In looking for information for this article, I found an interesting site on the internet. It’s called Hummingbird Central.
I know that many of you are hummingbird fanatics and have your feeders cleaned and ready to go, so this is the site for you. People contact this group to report their sightings by city and state. The sites are then recorded on an interactive map so we can see the leading edge of the migration path.
People’s names and addresses are not posted, but the movement of the hummingbirds is recorded every few days. It will give you a good idea of how long it will be before these beautiful and fascinating birds return.
As of today the northern migration has reached the border between North Carolina and Virginia. Remember that hummingbirds only fly during the day. They fly low, looking for flowers and food sources to replenish their energy for the long trip. Like many other birds, the males are the first to arrive in your backyard.
Sure, the birds are one of the first signs of spring, but so are the flowers.
Daffodils and crocuses are popping up out of the ground and will soon be in bloom. Trees are budding. On a sunny day you can see the reddish hue of the maples on the hillsides as their buds get ready to pop. Along the creeks the pussy willows are fuzzing out (I’m not sure that’s the proper term, but it sounded good at the moment.)
As the weather warms, nature awakens. A pair of Canada geese have taken up residency on my pond again this year. The ice is off, and they are looking for a place to nest. The gander is spending more time alone, swimming near the shore. I’m sure his mate has made a nest and is probably sitting on eggs.
And let’s not forget the bees and butterflies. They will soon be around as well.
But Mother Nature often throws in a surprise. Spring may be just around the corner, but four or five years ago she gave us a nor’easter the first week of April. We live in the Northeast, so anything is possible.
The good thing is it can’t last. What do they say? “April showers bring May flowers.” I can hardly wait!