If you enjoy phenology, and what it means in relation to the seasonal changes, I have a fun little bit of information for today.

The red wing blackbirds and sandhill cranes returned to NE Wisconsin last night, Feb 26th. While I don't keep "official" records (and I'm sure I could find them somewhere), this is the earliest arrival of these 2 migrants to where I live in the last 14 or so years as we do have those records where I work. It could be much longer than that. They generally arrive within a couple days of March 10th, but I have heard them for the first time as early as March 5th and as late as March 16th here in Appleton, WI.

Unfortunately it doesn't mean much, just that warmer than average temps in both their wintering grounds and here has helped them push their migration north earlier, but its still fun to see and hear them this early and get a jumpstart on spring thinking.

Things are definately changing, the treeline has progressed 150 feet up the mountians where I retired from the US Fish and Wildlife service in AK during the last 20+ years.

Natureboy, care to share where you work?

Flocks of snow geese moving north through e. central Iowa.

I don't mind sharing- I am an environmental educator in charge of all outdoor/outreach programming at a YMCA and manage our 105 nature preserve and trail system as well. Now someone here is going to put the puzzle pieces together and my true identity will be known, but I can live with that :)

naturboy12: "The red wing blackbirds and sandhill cranes returned to NE Wisconsin last night, Feb 26th. While I don't keep "official" records (and I'm sure I could find them somewhere), this is the earliest arrival of these 2 migrants to where I live in the last 14 or so years as we do have those records where I work. It could be much longer than that. They generally arrive within a couple days of March 10th, but I have heard them for the first time as early as March 5th and as late as March 16th here in Appleton, WI.


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I would be curious about what Aldo Leopold's journals recorded as the earliest arrival dates.

My daughter is the state wide educational outreach coordinator for Wyoming Game & Fish. Yes I'm proud.

naturboy12: "I don't mind sharing- I am an environmental educator in charge of all outdoor/outreach programming at a YMCA and manage our 105 nature preserve and trail system as well. Now someone here is going to put the puzzle pieces together and my true identity will be known, but I can live with that :)
"

It would be easier if you posted some pictures of yourself :)

I'm always waiting to hear the spring peepers that live out back by the river I live on. Not a peep out of them yet :)

The last few days I've noticed large flocks of geese v'ing their way northwards during my morning southbound commute.

On Sunday while out for a hike with Scouts we heard then spotted a flock of Sandhills also flying north. Seems like they're early but I have nothing to base that on.

LindenTree3: "Things are definately changing, the treeline has progressed 150 feet up the mountians where I retired from the US Fish and Wildlife service in AK during the last 20+ years.


Natureboy, care to share where you work?"

Be interesting this year,last year many people maple syrup collected in February at least as far north as Brainerd. Will see what happens now.

I am seeing lot more eagles this past week,but in recent years some stay all year now.

Minnesotian: "

naturboy12: "The red wing blackbirds and sandhill cranes returned to NE Wisconsin last night, Feb 26th. While I don't keep "official" records (and I'm sure I could find them somewhere), this is the earliest arrival of these 2 migrants to where I live in the last 14 or so years as we do have those records where I work. It could be much longer than that. They generally arrive within a couple days of March 10th, but I have heard them for the first time as early as March 5th and as late as March 16th here in Appleton, WI.



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I would be curious about what Aldo Leopold's journals recorded as the earliest arrival dates. "

One thing lot of these birds don't migrate as far south as in the past.

naturboy12: "I don't mind sharing- I am an environmental educator in charge of all outdoor/outreach programming at a YMCA and manage our 105 nature preserve and trail system as well. Now someone here is going to put the puzzle pieces together and my true identity will be known, but I can live with that :)
"

Never let them remove your mask, kemosabe! ;)

I saw a Killdear two days ago and the first pair of honkers flew over the house. Last night the redwing blackbirds showed up.

The wife and I went for a walk last night after work saw flocks of Red Wing Black Birds, Sandhill Cranes, and Robins!! Spring is in the air!!!!!!!!
And then reality strikes 1-3 inches of snow for tomorrow.

Just noticed a large bunch of redwing blackbirds this morning after dropping kid #2 off at school for band.

Was out birding yesterday morning in Madison and saw my first red-winged blackbird as well! Also at least 20 robins very happy about the 50 degree weather! They were hanging out with the cedar waxwings around the high-water creek.

naturboy12: "I don't mind sharing- I am an environmental educator in charge of all outdoor/outreach programming at a YMCA and manage our 105 nature preserve and trail system as well. Now someone here is going to put the puzzle pieces together and my true identity will be known, but I can live with that :)
"

Can you post something about the nature preserve and trail system here?
Also, how is the paddling on the Fox River and in the Valley? Do you have recommendations for cool places to go?

Last year the sandhill cranes were already here and we were tapping maple trees. This year we still have 12 inches of snow on the ground and none of those birds. But the eagles have started their spring flying dances

My bees were bringing in pollen on 2-21 this yr. Per my 5 yrs of notes about a wk ahead of earliest noted.

Central Indiana about 25 miles south of Indy

"

"
Can you post something about the nature preserve and trail system here?
Also, how is the paddling on the Fox River and in the Valley? Do you have recommendations for cool places to go? "

"

I'll send you a message with some information, but I don't have much to share. I do very little paddling here at home.

naturboy12: "If you enjoy phenology, and what it means in relation to the seasonal changes, I have a fun little bit of information for today.

The red wing blackbirds and sandhill cranes returned to NE Wisconsin last night, Feb 26th. While I don't keep "official" records (and I'm sure I could find them somewhere), this is the earliest arrival of these 2 migrants to where I live in the last 14 or so years as we do have those records where I work. It could be much longer than that. They generally arrive within a couple days of March 10th, but I have heard them for the first time as early as March 5th and as late as March 16th here in Appleton, WI.

Unfortunately it doesn't mean much, just that warmer than average temps in both their wintering grounds and here has helped them push their migration north earlier, but its still fun to see and hear them this early and get a jumpstart on spring thinking.



"

very good stuff!

Had to make a trip into the cities today, I saw a guy riding Harley, and two homeless guys arguing over who had the rights to the off ramp at 94 and Marion. Yes spring is in the air....

Owls and bald eagles are nesting this month. Squirrels and chipmunks are out of hibernation.

working the overnight shift the last several nights have seen/heard tons of snow geese heading N to NW. (as mentioned by another poster above)

Also-- sign of Spring is the first "Spring" winter storm looking more and more likely for many reading this early next week... But remember, the sun is as strong/high in the sky on March 1st as it is on Oct 10th. And in 10 days as strong as late Sept. When the sun is out now, I need not run the heater in the vehicles I drive-- a sure sign of Spring.

naturboy12: ""

"
Can you post something about the nature preserve and trail system here?
Also, how is the paddling on the Fox River and in the Valley? Do you have recommendations for cool places to go? "

"


I'll send you a message with some information, but I don't have much to share. I do very little paddling here at home. "

Thanks, I get over to that area about once a month.

When the fish start to spawn in the creeks.

QueticoMike: "

naturboy12: "I don't mind sharing- I am an environmental educator in charge of all outdoor/outreach programming at a YMCA and manage our 105 nature preserve and trail system as well. Now someone here is going to put the puzzle pieces together and my true identity will be known, but I can live with that :)
"

It would be easier if you posted some pictures of yourself :)


I'm always waiting to hear the spring peepers that live out back by the river I live on. Not a peep out of them yet :)



"

Just heard some peepers for the first time....Spring is coming! ( going to snow on Wednesday LOL )

First red wing blackbirds found Wood Lake nature center yesterday here in south Minneapolis. Vernal equinox is tomorrow at 11:15AM if I heard correctly.

Hey Naturboy... hello from a fellow Appletonian. Looks like we'll have to have a Fox Cities wing night sometime.

The sugar maples are really flowing in SE Wisconsin. Canoecopia was held just over one week ago.

Paddled Big Creek Lake Friday. When I was carrying down to the dock the sound of loons calling out gave me a nice feeling all over. There were several on the lake fishing in small groups. With the cold up north they may stay awhile this year.
White pelicans were also massed at the north end and flying in small groups fishing for their dinners as well.

The temperature this morning is 5 degrees. Where is this spring you people are talking about? The snow in my back yard is still over a foot deep.

RMinMN: "The temperature this morning is 5 degrees. Where is this spring you people are talking about? The snow in my back yard is still over a foot deep."

Have 5 degrees here also and a few blue herons in the area.