Submissions by Brian McAllister and Janet Mihuc
Yes, it’s still cold. And yes, there’s snow in the forecast. But spring is on its way! The signs are all around us…
Dawn and dusk calling of the Woodcock (aka Timberdoodle)
First night I can hear Spring peepers
The emergence of winter stoneflies from streams and rivers
The green of the club mosses on the forest floor
The song of the Brown Creeper
Song sparrows are singing
Turkey vultures are migrating by on air thermals rising off the warming land
Springtails or “snow fleas” are on the melting snow
Hairy woodpeckers are rapidly “drumming” on hollow branches-attracting females
Male cardinals are singing, dark-eyed juncos are singing.
What signs of spring have you seen? Add your own sightings in the comments below!
Brian is an Adjunct Instructor at Paul Smith’s College. He studied at State University College at Buffalo (Class of 1989). He is also a VIC naturalist and Adirondack Birding Center Director.
I am an organismal biologist specializing in aquatic and terrestrial insects and birds. I serve as one of the Program Directors for the School of Natural Resource Management and Ecology. I am the Director of Project Silkmoth, a citizen science project to document sightings of Giant Silkmoths in northern New York State.
My signs of spring: the male goldfinches at my feeders are patchy with their bright gold summer plumage, and I saw some pussywillows!