Ready or not, spring is almost here! March is the first month of meteorological spring, and brings with it migrating birds, budding trees, and melting snow. In this week’s phenology report, staff phenologist John Latimer previewed some of the events of the upcoming month.
Pussywillows break bud: March 4
First rain: March 14
Saw-whet owl returns: No average stated
First migrating flock of Canada Geese: March 22
First chipmunk: March 23
First singing American Robin: March 24
First Red-winged Blackbird: March 28
First Great Blue Heron: March 29
First Killdeer: March 30
These averages are pulled from John's 40-year record based in Grand Rapids, MN.
Topics
- Introduction (0:00-0:24)
- March preview (0:24-5:50)
- Bird report (5:50-6:22)
- Vibrant roadside trees (6:22-9:49)
- Aspen buds opening (9:49-10:52)
- Albedo, aspect, and warming weather (10:52-15:12)
- Thick ice (15:12-16:13)
- Conclusion (16:13-17:11)
What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.
That does it for this week! For more phenology, <b>subscribe</b> to our Season Watch Newsletter or visit the Season Watch Facebook page.
Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
