SPRING SEEKERS Calendar spring started today. Meteorological spring started March 1. When does actual spring start in Central Minnesota? Depends on what sort of yardstick you want to jab in the snow, slush or (eventual) mud. Following are a few potential markers. FLOWERS: I call it spring when I see the first white bloodroot petals opening amid the camouflage clutter of last year’s faded oak leaves. I’ll likely have to wait until early May. Round-lobed hepatica and early meadow rue usually aren’t far behind. WATERS: Those who call it spring when the lakes open might wait until April 15 if Lake Koronis near Paynesville is their marker. That’s the mean ice-out date since records were kept in 1980. Elsewhere throughout Minnesota, the mean ice-out (which, of course, is defined differently for different lakes) ranges from March 25 in southern Minnesota to May 12 in the far northeast. The dates are based on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency records. BIRDS: Bob Russell, a wetland bird biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, defines spring by the arrival of insect-eating birds, usually early to mid-April. “To me, until you see a phoebe or barn swallow, I don’t call it spring. Late winter, maybe, but not spring,” Russell said. (This morning’s interview was about birding apps, but I was looking for some glimmer of seasonal change.) Phoebes might appear near streams where willows attract insects. When do you call it spring?
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 17:19:59 +0000
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