Signs of Spring

Nature and Science Corner

Despite today’s snowstorm, spring is coming! The vernal (spring) equinox is on Saturday, March 20th this year. At 11:32 AM, Mountain Daylight Time, the sun will cross directly over the equator, giving us equal daylight and dark on this day across the world (equinox literally translated means equal night).
Plants and animals are waking up and returning to their summer areas. With the warm temperatures of the past week, this activity has picked up even more. What are some signs of spring you have seen?

Have you seen birds returning to the area? Red-tailed hawks, year-round residents, have been flying in pairs lately, indicating mating season and the start of new broods. Our winter residents are on the move as well. A few lucky first and second graders saw an adult and immature bald eagle fly low over Big T while taking out the recycling last month! Check ponds and lakes for returning and migratory water birds. If it’s not a mallard, it may be back for the summer, or just passing through! Now is also a good time to put out bird feeders (if you don’t have an outdoor cat). Birds will become dependent on food sources through the winter but in the summer they are less likely to need the food you provide to survive, so putting out feeders is a good way to attract birds for easing viewing in your backyard. Unless you are dedicated to feeding them plenty and consistently through the winter, put your feeders away when fall comes.

Have you noticed the buds forming on the tips of the bare tree branches? Go outside and look at a deciduous tree (a tree that “decides” to lose it’s leaves, also called a broad-leafed or hardwood tree). Can you find the small tough scales that end in a point on the twigs? Inside are the new plant parts—tiny leaves, stems and even flowers—waiting to emerge as the days grow warmer and longer. The sap, the lifeblood of the tree, has been rising from the roots on these warm days to bring nutrients to the buds so they can grow into new tree parts. Check out the tiered flower garden near the stairs in our courtyard the next time you’re at Big T. The iris leaves are back in full force and will probably enjoy the moisture from the snow as long as they don’t get too cold!

Take advantage of the snow to look for animal signs. Scat (the scientific word for animal poop ☺), may be harder to find, but tracks should be abundant. Which animals are hanging out around Big T? Which ones are around your house?

Enjoy the longer days by playing outside and going for walks or hikes as a family. And definitely get outside during spring break to see what’s going on with the change of seasons in your neighborhood!



(The week's Nature and Science Corner)