Spring is surely here, at least in terms of wildflowers and
birds. If you're out in the woods, the following flowers should
be noticeable (depending upon elevation, exposure, etc.): Rue
Anemone, Bloodroot, Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Hepatica, Periwinkle,
Early Saxifrage, Shortia/Oconee Bells, Spring Beauty, Carolina
Spring Beauty, Trout Lily/Adder’s Tongue, and Virginia Bluebell.
As is always the case for me, these early blooming species really
are exciting because I know that next month is going to be even
more prolific! Spring is here as far as I'm concerned.
The unusually warm winter has confused a lot of the songbirds
which are year-round residents. They're not supposed to wake
me up at 5:30 just yet! The last two to three weeks have been
busy for these guys - they are singing to attract mates, defend
territories, and in my opinion just to celebrate the longer days.
I know how they feel, but not at 5:30 a.m. Next month will have
a marked increase in the number of species as the spring migration
reaches us in earnest. Also, the first week of April should produce
our first sightings of one of my favorite birds - any guesses
as to which species that is?
