4 minute read
Seeking Signs Of Spring
Andrea Zani
Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
Spring is near, and signs of the season are all around us. Be a spring sleuth! Can you spot some of these springtime signals in your own outdoor space?
First Flowers
Seeing buds on trees is a sure sign of spring. Meanwhile, in gardens and in the wild, plenty of perennial flowers (those that come back every year) begin to emerge. Some of these spring beauties are ephemeral, blooming for just a short time before they disappear. Catch them while you can, but don’t pick them – some ephemeral flowers are threatened species in Wisconsin.
Here are three Wisconsin natives you might see.
Trout lily: The leaves of this plant are mottled, which means they are spotted or marked with smears of color –like a fish! They bloom in mid-April to mid-May, with white or yellow flowers, and usually grow in groups in shaded woods.
Pasque flower: Usually found in sunny areas with dry soil, pasque flowers start with hairy stems that appear in March. They can bloom from March to May, with cupshaped flowers in light blue, lavender or white, and a bright yellow center.
Trillium: Common in forests with partial shade, this three-petaled often white flower blooms in late spring and is a favorite food of white-tailed deer.
Birds Are Busy
Have you seen a robin pulling worms from your lawn? Now, that says spring!
Robins, the state bird of Wisconsin, might head south in colder months or stay in Wisconsin but be less visible in winter. As spring nears, they become more active, singing to establish territory and attract mates.
Other birds depart for the winter, migrating to warmer areas. Look for them as they return to Wisconsin in spring — red-winged blackbirds, sandhill cranes, Canada geese, bluebirds, hummingbirds, Baltimore orioles and many more.
Bird nesting is another fun thing to spot in spring, and it can happen in lots of places. Watch for clues like birds tearing at grass or carrying sticks and repeatedly coming and going from the same shrub, tree cavity or patch of grass.
If you find a nest being built, or especially one that’s finished and has eggs present, be sure not to disturb it!
Egg-Laying Action
Birds aren’t the only animals that lay eggs in spring. Many fish, reptiles and amphibians do, too.
Some frogs lay eggs in temporary ponds – ephemeral, you know that word. These are places where predators like fish can’t survive. The eggs turn into tadpoles that must grow quickly before the ponds dry up.
Many fish spawn in April and May, and turtle nesting season in Wisconsin happens from late May through early July. Turtles lay eggs in shallow, buried nests often along roadsides or even in backyards. Keep an eye out for turtles on the move around wetland areas, lakes and rivers at this time of year.
And don’t forget about other creatures like some snakes, salamanders, lizards and more — many of these are laying eggs in spring!
Other Animal Activity
In general, spring in Wisconsin is a busy time for all sorts of animals getting ready and having their young. Foxes, chipmunks, otters, deer, beavers and raccoons are just some of those who have babies in spring.
Bear cubs are actually born in winter months, January or February, but are tiny, hairless and blind at birth. By spring, they are ready to emerge from their dens to explore the world.
Remember, when you see baby animals: Keep wildlife wild. Watch them from a respectful distance and leave them be, even if it seems like the animal might be alone. A young wild animal’s best chance for survival is with its mother, who’s probably watching from nearby!
