Wait for spring almost over

        March is often a difficult month for those of us who pay attention to the wildlife in our backyards and neighborhood parks. It’s an in-between time when few creatures are about and we’re anticipating the excitement of spring in April. It’s the period when we’re biding our time, when days just seem to drag on.
        Bird activity often slows in March as some of our winter species depart before our spring migrants arrive, leaving a bit of a void. We have to settle for the arrival of large flocks of blackbirds to keep us happy, along with a few early-arriving eastern phoebes. Most of the rest of our spring birds aren’t expected for at least another month.
        Insect activity doesn’t pick up much in March, either, as the weather just isn’t quite warm enough to stimulate the physiological processes necessary to get their bodies moving. Snakes and turtles still have at least another month to wait before they become active again, too. And with the exception of our cultivated daffodils, most wildflowers and tree buds are just beginning to stir and think about emerging and showcasing their spring colors.
        On the infrequent sunny and warm day in March, however, you can tell that nature is bursting at the seams just as much as we are. Bumblebee queens emerge from their winter homes to forage for a quick snack before realizing that it’s too soon to find any nectar. Skunks decide it’s time to exit their burrows and wander around looking for grubs – often becoming roadkill in their confused state. Mourning cloaks, the brown butterflies with the yellow trim, come out of their hiding places in the nooks and crannies of tree trunks and leaf litter, sensing that the time is almost right to resume their regular routine. And male wild turkeys make their presence known with their loud gobbling and impressive spread-tail display.
        But it’s the frogs that are most apparent in March. By late in the month, most wood frogs and spring peepers have made their journey from their winter homes in the forest to their breeding pools – traveling exclusively at night during rain storms – and they make quite a racket as they pair up to mate.
        It’s a sign that we humans should start getting ready for spring as well. That means spring cleaning, but not the kind that most of you are probably thinking about. I’m talking about spring cleaning for wildlife.
        Step one is to clean out our bird houses. A birdhouse with last year’s nest still inside will keep most birds from attempting to raise a family there this year. Many birdhouses become the winter homes of mice, too, so if you want to attract birds to your birdhouses, you’ll have to evict the squatters and tidy up a bit. It’s a good time to make any necessary repairs as well.
        We want our yards to be healthy places for any wildlife that choose to visit, so you might also consider scrubbing out your bird bath and raking up the spilled seed from beneath your feeders. While you’re at it, find and clean your hummingbird feeder – though wait another month before filling it with sugar water and hanging it outside.
        And then you’ll be ready to welcome your spring wildlife visitors once again. Sure, there are a few other chores you’ll need to do this spring, both outside and inside, but March is a good time to get the most important work done. Just in time for the reawakening of spring.

        This article first appeared in The Independent on March 13, 2021.