This article was written by Jeanette Lutter-Gardella
It is officially spring! The vernal equinox (the astronomical first day of spring) occurred on March 20. But how do plants and animals know spring has arrived? How does a tree know when to leaf out? How does a bear know when it’s time to come out of hibernation? They don’t use calendars. Instead, they take their cues from changes in temperature and precipitation that happen seasonally.
The study of when these seasonal, natural events happen each year is called phenology, one of the oldest branches of environmental science. Observations of seasonal changes have been used for centuries. In Japan, the flowering of cherry blossoms has been recorded for over 1200 years!
Scientists and researchers who study phenology are interested in the timing of specific biological events in relation to changes in season and climate. If these events are recorded each year, trends begin to emerge over time. But what do these seasonal trends tell us?
The natural world is an interconnected system. How plants react to seasonal changes is important because they are at the base of the food chain—anything that affects plants also affects all other living creatures.
So, what signs of spring can you look for in your neighborhood? This month look for these common indications that spring has arrived:
*Swollen buds on lilac bushes are one of the earliest signs of spring that can be easily found in backyards and neighborhoods. In winter the buds are shriveled looking, but after there have been a few warmer days, the buds begin to hydrate and swell up.
*Eastern Bluebirds begin returning to their breeding areas between March-April. They are commonly found along forest edges or more open areas like restored prairies. They nest in cavities or bird boxes.
*Look for wildflowers such as trillium blossoms poking above leaves or snow, wood anemones and jack-in-the-pulpit in wooded areas, and marsh marigolds in wetlands.
*Spring evenings are filled with the many calls and songs of frogs and toads as they begin to mate. Western Chorus Frogs and Spring Peepers are some of the first to begin breeding.
Curious what other plants and animals to expect this month? Visit North Mississippi Regional Park to spot some yourself! Traverse the paved trails that wind along the Mississippi River. Visit the Kroening Nature Center for our resources on the outdoors. Identify a variety of birds up close at our bird feeder station.
- Take a spring hike in the park with a naturalist guide on Saturday, April 16 from 3-4 p.m. (activity # 123841) to explore your senses in the spring season.
- Join us for our Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (activity # 123783) with a self-guided nature exploration, a scavenger hunt and art activities.
- Enjoy quality time with family at our Family Fundays-Weather Wonders, Sunday, April 10 from 1-3 p.m., (activity # 123804).
- For parents with young children, join our Nature Nuts playgroup for kids under age six with an adult every Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. to explore the outdoors while learning about seasons, plants, and animals. Pre-registration is required (activity # varies).