Spring

by Nancy Rosenberg
Spring 2002

Spring in New England has been as strange as the past winter was. After a few tantalizing warm days, we had one of the largest snowstorms of the season on the day of the vernal equinox. There were quite a few juncos (snow birds) at the feeder that day. I've never before seen them at this time of year and, even more strange, there weren't any for most of the winter. In addition, there was a lone blue jay. I know many people hate them since they chase other birds away but this one shared with the juncos and I was very happy to see him - since the jay population in our area has been seriously decimated by West Nile Virus.

The next day, the weather turned bitter cold but I saw the first robin of the season, searching forlornly for worms. Shortly after that, I began to see goldfinches at the feeders, just beginning to have a hint of yellow in their feathers.

When I moved to Massachusetts, I was told that St. Patrick's day was the traditional day to plant peas here. I don't know where this tradition started. It's never been possible until the second or third week of April because there has always been a snow cover at that time in March. This year, although the ground is still frozen, what little snow we've had, has almost completely melted. Thus I was able to see a lot of new growth. I saw the beginnings of the nettle emerging from under dried leaves, some tansy just starting to peek out from the cold earth and also minuscule catnip leaves, motherwort and a tiny leaf I think may be dandelion. I smelled bergamot/bee balm but didn't see it. I suspect my hands may have brushed against some of the dried leaves left from last season. Of course I don't know if these plants normally emerge at this time or if they are particularly early because of the weather. Next year, if we have a normal snow cover, I'll dig down to see if anything has begun to grow.

The ducks, geese and chickens are all laying eggs now. Even though they are confined to a small security pen at night, they manage to hide their eggs, never laying in the same place twice - so I have to hunt for them. For me, it is like Easter every morning.

I took a walk in the woods to look at the pond. The water level was still very low. During a normal spring, I'd start to see wild mallards on it but there doesn't appear to be much open water. Later in the season, I've always seen a great blue heron crossing the sky above the pasture to land on the waters. I'll miss these birds if we don't get enough rain soon. While I was in the woods, I think I may have heard wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) deeper in the woods, serenading their mates - but I couldn't be sure. However, for me, spring truly begins when I hear the spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) in the early evening. And finally, at the end of March, I heard their chorus for the first time. Spring is here!

(You can find out more about wood frogs at http://www.vernalpool.org/inf_wf.htm and spring peepers at http://www.cmnh.org/research/vertzoo/frogs/crucifer.html)