Nature Journaling Tip #17: Signs of Spring

Snowfall in the Chautauqua Watershed began in earnest in November, well over a month before the start of official winter. Snowfall totals to date are approaching the 300-inch mark. That's 25 feet of snow. Lake Erie remains completely frozen over. This winter has been long. Snowy. Cold.

We wait expectantly for signs of spring. To see the signs, go where there is water.

The Chautauqua Watershed is a critically important migration corridor for waterfowl, and spring migration is in full swing. A visit to the open waters fronting Chautauqua Lake's ice cover at the lake's Outlet will usually reward the observer with long, good looks at birds resting and feeding on their way to breeding grounds far to the north and west. Among those observed today were American wigeon, common merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, and long-tailed duck.

The Chautauqua Watershed's wetlands are sanctuaries for wildlife and focal points for signs of spring. Spring peepers, tiny frogs that make a big noise, will start calling when the temperatures warm up. Two other harbingers of spring, the wood frog and spotted salamander, will soon be putting on their show as well. I'll look for them around small woodland pools on the first warmer, wet nights of early spring. Wood frogs make a "quacking" mating call that does indeed sound more duck-like than frog-like. And it truly is breathtaking to see the "march of the salamanders," dozens, if not hundreds, of these huge black-and-yellow salamanders crawl through the wet rainy darkness to reach their ancestral ponds to mate and lay eggs.

What is your favorite sign of spring? The "conk-a-ree!" singing of a red-winged blackbird? The crazed twittering aerial display of male American woodcock over a wet meadow? The cheery song of a robin in your yard? We all need something to lift our spirits at this time of year. Do take time to treat yourself to the sights and sounds of spring awakening.   

Mark Baldwin is the Director of Education at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History (RTPI), a proud partner in National Environmental Education Week. Each year RTPI offers online workshops for educators interested in bringing nature journaling into the classroom. For more information visit www.rtpi.org.