Signs of spring

14 years ago

Here in snow-beaten central NJ, I have, as always this time of year, eagerly sought the first signs of spring. And I was rewarded.

1. Red tail and Red shouldered hawks pairing, circling and calling (this in February)

2. Bugs flying

3. Wild chives sprouting

4. A garter snake warming itself on a path

5. Skunk cabbage

AND, the biggest surprise (and most delightful):

6. Woodcock calling at dusk

The titmice have been "peter-peter"ing for awhile, and robins come through all winter. Mockingbirds sing in winter, too, so they really don't count. But yesterday I did hear a mockingbird softly singing a bang-up repertoire, as if he were rehearsing.

Have you seen any real signs of spring?

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Comments (13)

chickadeemelrose
14 years ago
Hi elly,

What an encouraging list! We in the Boston area also await spring (sometimes desperately), and I've noticed the following:

1. Buds on our crabapple and Japanese maple trees.

2. Daffodils starting to push up through the soil in our front yard.

3. A robin singing his (or her) heart out last week (few robins seen by us here this winter)

4. Seed-starting kits everywhere in the stores (I started mine this week - yay!).

5. The first mockingbird we have ever seen at our feeders,this morning.

That's my list so far - Everyone think spring!

Donna
Elly_NJ
Original Author
14 years ago
Best sign ever: I heard the morning chorus today!!!!!!!!
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lisa11310
14 years ago
YES SPRING IS (nearly) HERE! March 4th my first flower (a tiny snowdrop) 5th brought snow fleas and the first Dove cooing. The Cardinals and the Titmice have been singing a new tune for a couple weeks. No spring birds yet but the snow is melting and I see large patches of ground YEA! The Goldfinches are starting to change their colors :)
organic_bassetlvr
14 years ago
Saw the first Red-Wing BB yesterday. Robins, Mourning doves & cardinal singing spring songs. Also hearing from Carolina wrens, blues are checking boxes. I haven't seen a tree swallow yet but someone in my county has!
Susan
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
14 years ago
Lisa, what are snow fleas?
Elly_NJ
Original Author
14 years ago
The willows are budding gold! Looks like a watercolor wash of gold in the brown and grey of late winter!
luc_quebec
14 years ago
Hi Elly and all,

Of course, here in Quebec, there are not much signs of spring yet. I don't complain since we got a very mild winter this year.
I think birds migrate according the lenght of light day, not only weather.

Tomorrow I will check firt Horned Larks, usually the first migrant at my place.

Luc
bedelia
14 years ago
I definitely hear more singing in early morning by the cardinals,titmouse and robins.
Elly_NJ
Original Author
14 years ago
Salut, Luc!
Dianne_NY
14 years ago
Long Island, NY

-Cardinals eating together in pairs
-Song Sparrows singing
-return of the Red-winged Blackbirds
-first returning Osprey sited (early!)

Love this time of year!
donald lucius
14 years ago
i had my first robin of spring show up this morning, He dug around in the snow for awhile and finally found a bare spot under a tree and scratched and ate for awhile i grabbed the camera and he was in the shade under the tree and i missed getting a good piucture
Elly_NJ
Original Author
14 years ago
Rain all day instead of snow!
organic_bassetlvr
14 years ago
Elly,
Rain here too! FOS Tree Swallows, Red Headed WP-one of my faves, Kestrels paired & sounding off, blues doing that wing-wave, heard phoebe, song sparrows singing. Crocus, snowdrops, minature iris (not the native ones), winter jasmine & 1st daffs blooming! Everyday brings new birds & flowers-what an exciting time of year.
Susan