First two weeks of Spring

The two weeks following the vernal equinox are always the most impressive to me.  There is often a dramatic change in weather, and of course we see lots of changes in plant and animal cycles.  Passover usually falls on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, and in many countries the vernal equinox is the beginning of the new year.  So with lots of observation, celebration, reflection, and changes in nature, these two weeks feel like more of a renewal period and maybe a better time for resolutions than mid-Winter.

Back-yard daffodils

Most of us below 1000 feet have seen the blooming daffodils (Narcissus spp),  forsythia (most are hybrid F. suspensa × F. viridissima), some magnolias (Magnolia spp.), and cherries (Prunus spp.).

Redbuds, almost in bloom.

The redbuds (Cercis canadensis), Virginia bluebells (<Mertensia virginica), and spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) are blooming this week, and many of the trees are beginning to leaf out.

Bluebells along the South Branch[/caption]

Some dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) are already full-sized.  We even saw mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) breaking ground on April 1.  I learned today that mayapple leaves and rhizomes contain the poison podophyllotoxin, used by doctors to kill warts, and used by Native Americans to coat corn kernels before planting.

Among reptiles, we saw our first painted turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) last week, but we didn't see the first wood turtles (Clemmys insculpta) until April 3.

[caption id="attachment_108" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Wood turtles have emerged from hibernating in the river."]

Diane shows the turtle is female.

The spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) were a little quieter this week, but we found our first spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) while my wilfe was transplanting American pussywillows (intentionally misspelled, but known specifically as Salix discolor).

Diane and an adult spotted salamander.

There were lots of new birds this week.  Brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum) have returned to our hedgerows.  We saw and heard kestrels (Falco sparverius), our smallest falcon, as they hunted overhead.  Crows must be beginning to nest because they are increasingly aggressive toward the red-tailed hawksButeo jamaicensis.

David Blahut reported three bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) along the South Branch near Levels, but the only eagle I've seen since January was on Sunday near Horsepen Pond at Dulles Airport.  There are suddenly lots of turkey vultures () overhead.  I also saw the first swallows of the year (tree swallows, Tachycineta bicolor) along the South Branch floodplain, but Frank Wilson reported seeing them upstream over a week earlier.

Near the bird feeders we've seen chipping sparrows (Spizella passerina), brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), and mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), along with those mentioned earlier this Spring.

Clint Ferguson reported that he's heard turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) gobbling already.  I've heard barred owls (Strix varia) and their "Who, who, who cooks for you" call, which is often mimicked by hunters specifically to locate gobbling tom turkeys.

We find new beaver (Castor canadensis) damage ever week lately, but we also saw some tracks we couldn't identify.  Maybe you can help.  I wonder if they might be from a mink (Neovison vison), but they might just be a turtle.

Thanks to all who are reporting their observations.  

If you know a teacher, be sure to tell them about the reporting form (link) before Environmental Education week (April 11-17).