Spring Wildflowers

Sweet Coltsfoot, the first spring flower in the meadow, is in bloom. Always a beautiful tiny (less than an inch across) sign of warm weather to come.

Coltsfoot is only a weed, sometimes a slightly invasive weed, more often recognized by it's large green patches of leaves in the summer. When it blooms none of the leaves are visible.

But it's the first of a bunch of beautiful spring wildflowers that will be up in the coming weeks - Hepatica, Trilliums, Bloodroot, Leek and many others. Early May is the best single time of the year for a walk in the woods.

Spring Peepers

I can't believe it, but spring peepers are calling from the small marshes in Hanlon Creek. And if you listen carefully, you'll hear the wood frogs too.

Spring peepers just call a strong, loud peep ... peep ... peep, while wood frogs sound like a hidden flock of gabbling ducks - you'd actually swear that they were ducks chattering to each other, until you see the wetland and there are no ducks, but the sound is still coming.

They're especially loud on warm evenings, and they're certainly a few days early this year, thanks to the high temperature. Both species like a marsh with shallow water and 'emergent' vegetation like bulrushes that they can climb up on, and won't be heard much around deeper ponds. But it's the biggest welcoming sound of spring to me.

Birds are calling

It's the time of year for birds, at least the first few that have come back for spring. The next 3 months will be a chorus of birdsong on the trails.

The first migrants back were the blackbirds, who congregate in the tall silver maples down the way every evening, carrying on a raucous conversation - but disappearing during the day.



The geese got active quickly, pairing off and seeking a pond for nesting while the ponds themselves were still frozen. But for some reason they now like to sit on the rooftop and honk loudly at anyone they see.


Now the song sparrow is also back, along with the robins, turkey vultures, and flickers. Woodpeckers, cardinals and chickadees who stayed all winter are also active. The song sparrow sits in the very top of a small tree nearby and sings it's very musical song - easy to recognize with it's beginning strong 3 similar notes.

A Rush of Changes

The world of Hanlon Creek is changing fast at this time of year. In a few short weeks (it seems like a few short days this year!), one season vanishes, and another season arrives.

The spring melt is a quick episode in the seasons, but has a huge impact. Streams rise, the stormwater ponds and meadows fill to overflowing, and water in the swamp is recharged. Without this, the swamp would dry up in late summer.

Birds return, starting with the blackbirds, and followed quickly by the robins, then dozens of other species. Meanwhile, the birds who stayed all winter - the cardinals, chickadees, and of course the geese - are seeking mates and a place to nest. The geese honk madly at us as we set out on the trails.

And daylight savings arrives, allowing walks after dinner without having to go out in the dark. For the next seven months we'll be out enjoying the trails in the evenings.

What Glorious Early Spring Days!

Well, you couldn't ask for anything better than the last few days in early spring. We've turned the corner from winter to warming weather, with longer days, and bright sunshine, at least for now. The cardinal is calling every day, a flash of red in the top of a tree somewhere near, one of the joyful sounds of spring.

The snow has changed from deep fluff to hard and crusty, softening during the day and then refreezing at night. The trails are getting icy, especially in the shade where they're trampled smooth during the day, melt a little, and then freeze.

A Red-breasted Nuthatch is visiting the feeder regularly, along with the small army of chickadees, it's gray back and reddish underside contrasting with the stark black and white of the chickadees.


The first pair of Canada Geese have headed out to find ponds for nesting, even though they will stand on the ice looking puzzled for weeks yet. And the snow is starting to vanish fast - not really 'melting', but simply evaporating into thin air.

Winter in the Woods!

Spring Storm!

Yesterday felt just like an early spring day, the first of the year. A bright blue-sky day, you could feel the heat in the sun, and it was melting the snow in places. One of those late Feb/early March days that make you feel like spring is just around the corner.

On top of that I heard the cardinals calling this morning for the first time, giving their sharp two-tone whistle that is such a distinctive opening note for the spring season. Their bright red colour matches their bright clear whistle, and we'll hear it now from high trees in the woods, for the next several months.

But then .... the snow came back - in fact, it's about the biggest snowstorm we've had all winter, and we're right in the middle of it at the moment. Flurries coming down fast and furious, turning the world white again. Maybe I'll get some good pictures tomorrow.

......... Later, headed out at the peak of the storm to walk the dog. Three or four inches by now, all plastered against the tree trunks and branches, and hanging heavily on the pine, cedar and hemlock. It'll be a winter wonderland tomorrow. These storms are blown through southern Ontario by upper level winds from west to east (southwest to northeast for this one), but at ground level they are circulating in a counter-clockwise direction. This means you may have winds from the east while the storm is coming from the west. Thus the east side of most trees today are plastered with a line of snow from top to bottom.

Four groups of deer wandering, instead of hiding in the swamp; at least 10 or 12, but I may have seen one group twice. And then I heard what distinctly sounded like two SHOTS! Just behind the Edinburgh/Kortright corner. Not what you want to hear in the city.