Spring Is Trying Hard To Arrive Early

Here in the Heartland there are many signs of approaching Spring. Over the last two weeks there have been several surprises. Most signs don’t appear here until early in March, but this year has been different.

More than two weeks ago, I discovered enormous flocks of geese, one completely covering 75 or more acres, nearby. They were mostly snow geese from all the white I saw, but an observer I talked to said there were also blue geese and speckle belly geese, too, along with ducks. I was able to drive close to the smaller flock without disturbing them. It was only 40-50 acres.

Redwing blackbirds, usually one of our first harbingers of spring

As I watched them the larger flock took to the air crossing a highway and settling back down closer to me, completely filling the sky as they did so. They have remained in the vicinity since then, waiting for a few more days as they rest up for the trek north.

Only ten days ago on a very warm afternoon I had more signs. A sizable flock of redwing blackbirds, usually one of our first harbingers of spring, settled in large trees just south of I-70 in western Indiana. Their trilling and raucous clacking made me smile. They’re admirable birds, preferring marshlands and wet ditches for their nesting sites. They are ferocious parents, defending their nests and young with sturdy determination and running off predator birds many times larger than they are. Only a week ago, I saw a flock of redwings flying low to the ground moving between gathering areas. They flew as though they were in a tunnel, taking several minutes to pass the point where I could see them.

We had a very warm spell while the calendar still said February. The warmth melted all of the heavy snow that had lingered and suddenly made me think of Spring. I have a woodpile near the door for feeding the stove. As I came in for the night after working during the warm daylight hours, there was a spring peeper frog sitting there next to the door as though asking if he could come in. I had to turn him down, but I thought to myself Wow. It’s still February!

Another positive indicator of the proximity of Spring are the Killdeer

Overhead on two different days there have been sandhill cranes circling lazily, sounding their pterodactyl voices to alert me. Other birds are joining in. The always-pleasant sound of the song sparrow comes to my ear, always before I can see them. “Sing-sing-sing” followed by a series of harmonious notes always suggests that nesting season will arrive soon. They have been around all winter, visiting feeders and looking for weed seeds.

Another positive indicator of the proximity of Spring are the Killdeer. It is their keening sound often on the wing that alerts us first. I saw four of them in February two weeks ago, following each other in straight lines across a gravel road. Because they lay their eggs on the sides of gravel roads or the middle of stone driveways, I speculate that they are looking for the best rocks to mask the presence of their eggs.

Carolina wrens have been here all winter, often on the bird feeders and suet cakes, but they are mute until it begins to warm up. Sure enough, just three days ago, one of these tiny singers belted out his big tune in the woods near the house. Ounce for ounces, they have the most disproportionately audible voices in the bird world. Their little cousins the house wrens have not arrived yet, but they won’t be long once insects begin to emerge.

And then last week everybody’s favorites the bluebirds came floating in. They like to linger high in trees, so I always hear them first. They arrive in small groups of three to five to inspect the available housing and begin to stake their claims.

Everybody’s favorites the bluebirds came floating in

This is a reminder that I need to empty last year’s nests to make room for new accommodations this year. After they had been here a day or two I began to see them sitting on top of one of the bluebird houses in the back yard. They are devoted parents, too, and will raise two broods each summer. Their shocking blue, orange, and white feathers make them a visual delight all summer. They will even visit the feeders some years to take mealworms and suet.

So Spring is watching the calendar, too. With the snow gone and mud about it is time to see to pruning and next year’s firewood. Last summer’s wind storms dropped much firewood in the woods. If brought in soon it will be in prime condition when we begin the heating season toward the end of October. For now there are rare days when we can let the fire go out in the afternoon, but most days want the coziness the stove brings all during the waking hours. We also hope that the skunk decides to visit some place else for the rest of the season. Sometimes when we wake up we don’t know if the polecat is outside or if someone started the coffee early!

Are the snowbirds still here? Soon even they will abandon their winter quarters for the journey to the True North Strong and Free. We wish them a prosperous and successful summer north of the 49th Parallel.

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