Written by Bronwyn Earthman, Naturalist Educator
Spring has arrived in North Mississippi Regional Park, and much earlier this year than is typical. While we get outside and enjoy the unusually warm early spring weather, we can also keep an eye out for signs of the changing seasons. Phenology is the scientific term for this study of seasonal changes in plants and animals such as flowering, bird and insect migration, and even changes in plumage and animals’ coats. These phenological observations are critical tools in helping us track and understand how climate change may affect ecosystems over time.
It has been a very unusual year for phenology, as many things we would expect to see in April already occurred in early March. Mourning cloak butterflies typically first appear during the first week of April, but this year the first Mourning cloak was spotted on March 12! Warm late-February weather triggered maple sap to flow far earlier than the typical mid-March tree tapping time. Red-winged blackbirds returned to the park in full force during the first week of March, beating their 2023 arrival time by about two weeks. A painted turtle emerged a month earlier than average and was spotted sunning itself on a rock in a Twin Cities’ lake during the first week of March. The warm weather unfortunately also brings its disappointments, particularly for avid bird watchers. With the lack of ice on northern lakes, migratory waterfowl that would normally linger on the open waters of the Mississippi river will simply continue on, as there is no ice to impede their journey northwards this year.
With all these shifting seasonal occurrences, you might wonder what awaits us in the next month of spring. It is probable that we will continue to see phenological events occur several weeks ahead of their historical schedule. In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for blooming spring beauties and dandelions, as well as crabapple trees beginning to bloom. We might also expect to see early growth of common milkweed in our prairies. Leaves might be out earlier this year too, look for leaf growth on aspen, birch and maple trees. Watch for recently returned Great Blue Herons nesting at the heron rookery and for their newly-hatched chicks!
Come out to Kroening Nature Center to explore the changing seasons and make phenological observations yourself! Share your observations on our Phenology Calendar inside the nature center so we can track these changes as a community.
Nature Tots: Fish Frenzy · Saturday, April 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Free | Ages 2-6 with an adult | Activity #3024 | Can fish breathe underwater? Why are fish slimy? How do fish navigate their watery world? Join us in exploring the answers to these fishy questions and help us feed our catfish. This is an adult/child interactive program.
Homeschool Days: Water on the Move · Thursday, April 11, 1-3 p.m. | $5/person | Ages 5-12 | Activity #2884 | As snow melts, where does the water go? Learn about the water cycle, then go on a walk and study the landscape to see where and how water is on the move.
Nature Art: Art on the Landscape: Rocks and Mud · Saturday, April 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Free | All ages | Activity #2904/ Sculpt and create with the nature around you! Collect rocks, sand, soil and mud. Then sculpt them to create an art installation outside.
Birdwatching at the Heron Rookery · Friday, April 19, 2-3:30 p.m. | $5/person | Ages 18+ | Activity #6499 | Join a naturalist at Marshall Terrace Park to learn about Great Blue Herons and observe their fascinating behavior. Binoculars and a spotting scope will be available for use.
Family Fundays: Earth Day Celebration · Saturday, April 20, 10:30 a.m.-noon | Free | All ages | #2899 | Join a naturalist on a hike to pick up trash along the river, make a piece of art using recycled materials, and plant a seed to take home.
Drawing Inspiration from Nature · Thursday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Free | Ages 18+ | #6496 | Artists of all levels are invited to create art in community using models from nature. You bring your art materials and we provide the subjects; live toads and a turtle for you to observe and draw/paint.
Spring Tree ID · Saturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon | Free | 18+ | Activity #6500 | Learn to identify trees before the leaves fully emerge using clues such as buds, flowers, bark and phenology, then go on a walk with a naturalist and practice your ID skills.
Adventure Hub Highlight: Using a Compass · Saturday, April 27, 1-2 p.m. | Free | All ages | Activity #2900 | Complete a compass course with a naturalist, then check out an Adventure Hub backpack to do a second compass course on your own.