 |
| Ashwaubenon Creek at the De Pere Preserve is losing its ice. Here comes spring! |
Lately I've been reading Wild Wisconsin Notebook by James Buchholz,
a 20-year park ranger and DNR Superintendent. His collection of essays is
grouped by month, and it’s been especially fun to read about the upcoming
changes in March, April, and May. It has me very excited for warmer weather!
If you get a chance to go for a walk in the next week or
two, keep your eyes out for some of these early spring changes. These encouraging plants and critters are
some of the earliest indicators that spring has sprung in Northeast Wisconsin.
10 Early Signs that Spring has Come to Wisconsin
Geese: I've already heard one or two flocks honking around. Pretty
soon they’ll be lots more on their way. Before you know it, they’ll be staking
out nesting grounds and getting grumpy and territorial.
Skunk Cabbage: I’ll be honest- I’d never heard of this.
However, this is apparently a very common plant that is able to survive the
frosty nights of early spring. When squeezed, the leaves emit an unpleasant
smell (hence the name). The most amazing thing about this plant, though, is
that despite the outside temperatures, skunk cabbage is able to maintain a 70
degree “body” heat, melting the snow around it. I’m thinking I’ll need to
bring along a thermometer on my next hike to check this out.
 |
Skunk Cabbage
|
Pussy Willow: Each year, I can’t resist bringing some inside
to put in a vase. And each year, Sunny tears them apart. It’s one of the few
plants that the DNR doesn't seem to mind you trimming (according to Buchholz),
as long as you don’t take too much from one plant. When cut responsibly, it
prunes the plant and helps it grow even better. If you put the branches in a
vase and wait long enough, you’ll be rewarded with yellow flowers from the
fuzzy buds.
Mourning Cloaks: This is one that was new to me, too. Buchholz
described that the butterflies like to drink tree sap, so they can be found
even if the snow hasn't completely melted.
 |
Mourning Cloak
|
Robins: Apparently, 2% of robins stay in Wisconsin
year round; therefore, this isn't always a reliable spring signal. However,
when you start to see more than one bobbing for worms, you know that winter is
finally releasing its grip.
Bees: You’ll spy a
few of these out and about not long after the weather is reliably above
freezing.
 |
Crocus
|
Magnolias: All right- so these come a little later; it’s one of the first trees to flower. I had to include them, though, because they always surprise me with how soon they produce flowers.
Crocus: My favorite early spring flower. I love the
beautiful purple poking up from the ground. These, along with daffodils, give a
great first splash of color.
Steelhead: I’ve written in the past about the fisheries facility in Kewaunee. Luke and I will be going there again soon, as watching the steelhead spawn is a spectacular (and free!) show. They run before walleye, suckers, and sturgeon, and it’s great to see them up close at the fish ladder.
Red-Winged Blackbirds: Some people love them and some people hate them, but their unique song is a sure sign of warmer weather. I went for a hike yesterday at The Preserve in De Pere and heard a few already.
Of course, there were many other items that could have been included on this list: maple sap running, gall flies, hyacinths, snow fleas, sandhill cranes, and turkey vultures to name a few. The changes will come quickly and often in the coming weeks; keep your eyes peeled!
"Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the face of the earth."
Psalm 104:10
Happy Spring!
Jen
