subject: Whats The First Sign Of Spring For You? [print this page] Just like many people I keenly look forward to the beginning of spring simply because it suggests that nature is waking up once more following the winter and it promises long enjoyable outings wandering and enjoying the great outdoors. However when is the first day of Spring and what are the indicators that promise to you that it is imminent?
Historically Spring is linked with listening to the first cuckoo, noted for its distinctive call and unique lifestyle. The truth is, it is far from being the first of the migrant species to return nevertheless it is definitely one of the first to fly away again, departing back to Africa in August. Cuckoos are, certainly, now scarce in the UK and nobody is totally certain whether this is as a result of the very specialised circumstances they require for breeding or issues back in Africa. Whatever, its apparent to me that we need a better indicator that spring is here or at least on its way.
So when does Spring begin? The solution to that question does rather depend on where you live. In the British Isles Spring takes basically eight weeks to progress from the south coast of England to the north coast of Scotland. That is basically walking pace.
For the author the initial indication that Spring is imminent is the knocking of the woodpecker. Here in the North of England the male starts to mark out his domain and entice mates in February. The indigenous birds also grow to be more vocal for the same purpose. Great tits particularly seem to generate a great assortment of rather lyrical songs at this time of year.
Before very long, naturally, we will encounter the daffodils and narcissi as they carpet our semi wild areas. And then we will begin to encounter the first of those diminutive but lyrical birds the warblers. We commonly hear the first chiff chaff by the end of March followed a couple of weeks later by the Willow Warbler. These two birds are impossible to differentiate except by way of their songs. The chiff chaff gets its name from its specific call whereas the willow warbler has a charming song which seems to depict the spirit of the English country side.
The fresh growth, the bright greens and the different forms of blossom are also all among the signals for me that Spring definitely is here. Two events, nevertheless, finally do confirm to me that we can finally pronounce that Spring is here; both of them are the arrival of particular birds. The first is the swifts as they dive and swoop through the air to catch flies and then land on telegraph wires for a rest. The second is the arrival, in the stream at the bottom of our garden of the Spotted Flycatcher from Africa. Its a small bird with a dark back and practically white front that flies down to the stream to catch flying insects from just above the water. A wonderful bird and amazing to enjoy as it flits up and down from its percing place. A certain indication that it is not going to be very long before I will be lighting my first barbecue of the year!
