# Signs of spring? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 20, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338 "2017-02-20T18:37:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/1 "2017-02-20T18:37:40Z")
Wondering if any folk might be interesting in sharing daily things they see/hear suggesting that spring is actually on its way. Here in the Chicago area, I generally expect to see something around Groundhog Day - as it is a cross quarter day. The cardinals were about a week later - they started last week. This past weekend I’ve been hearing the sandhill cranes flying north. Hope they aren’t being tricked into moving too early with this exceptionally warm weather. On a bike ride this a.m., I heard the first redwinged blackbird of the season. And the baby squirrels are gamboling like idiots. Lots of buds swelling, and some iris shoots, but no scilla, snowdrops, or crocus yet. How about you? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/2 "2017-02-20T18:43:59Z")
Yesterday was about 70 degrees. Today may be, too; I’m going to go outside after I get off the Dope and check. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/3 "2017-02-20T19:17:42Z")
Robins the other day (note I live in their wintering grounds). My male osprey was on the nest in my work parking lot today. But his mate is now ~ a week late. Poor bugger was even trying to tidy up the nest… ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/4 "2017-02-20T19:28:52Z")
I have crocus and daffodil shoots (about a week now). Robins about 2 weeks, I think. My roses are optimistically starting to form buds on the stalk. Other than that, winter has been hanging on. I don’t think I’ve spotted large groups of birds going North yet. We’re on a flight path, with a small lake behind us that gets lots of traffic. I will remember to swing by the local Osprey nest and see if anyone has arrived yet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/5 "2017-02-20T19:37:20Z")
Today, as I walked around a large man-made pond in suburban Columbus, Ohio, I saw a bullfrog sitting on a fallen branch a couple of inches above the water. The air temperature was about 45 F, and the pond had ice on it as recently as a week ago. This frog is an optimist, and he definitely cheered me up. Crocuses are up here. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/6 "2017-02-20T19:50:18Z")
60 degrees yesterday. What little snow was left on the slopes was slushy at best. Mother Nature can fuck right off with shortening my ski season so much. ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/7 "2017-02-20T20:07:27Z")
I wake up at 5:30. Today for the 1st time I notice a hint of sunlight through the window. Not much, but there. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/8 "2017-02-20T20:20:04Z")
I heard a single Red Winged Black Bird calling. Since we have Robins that overwinter I tend to think of the RWBB as my herald of Spring. Of course the weather forecast has snow predicted for later this week and the 50-70F temps will be gone again. My portion of Iowa has had little moisture whether of the wet kind or the pretty white kind so I am hoping for a nice whopper of a storm dumping a foot or more of snow over a day or two. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/9 "2017-02-20T22:26:03Z")
Around here it’s the daffodils first, and they appeared about a week ago. Next up is the Japanese Tulip tree, and it’s staring to bloom now. The butterfly bush will be next. It’s still too early, though. we’ll likely have 2-3 more bouts of cold weather that will kill off the early bloomers. Spring will take hold for good in 5-6 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/10 "2017-02-20T23:50:13Z")
Ornamental Pear trees have been blooming for a few weeks now and the Loquats have set fruit already here in SoCal. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/11 "2017-02-21T00:31:44Z")
My vernal witchhazels have been blooming for a couple of weeks. Recently read a book that said they are pollinated by nocturnal moths that live through the winter. Boy, I sure didn’t know that! Did some digging - ground is completely thawed. Weird for this longtime Chicago gardener! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/12 "2017-02-21T00:38:08Z")
Totally unseasonal temps in the 60s all week, and lower 70s on Friday! Our snowdrops are in full bloom, with shoots of crocus and daffodil. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/13 "2017-02-21T02:38:32Z")
Garage sales are already sprouting! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/14 "2017-02-21T18:29:13Z")
I’ve heard the frogs singing the last couple days, and my allergies started up in a big way yesterday. Had to break out the Allegra already. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/15 "2017-02-21T18:39:56Z")
Well, it’s supposed to be above zero © during the daytime this week; back to negatives next week. So, perhaps some of the three feet of snow will melt. Spring is still a pipe dream. ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/16 "2017-02-21T18:46:24Z")
-16 C forecast for this morning so kinda cold still, but at least the day length is getting closer to 10 hours and some tits have started singing. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/17 "2017-02-21T18:50:44Z")
The peach trees are in bloom. I hope we don’t get a late freeze. Stupid trees. On a more personal note, I looked at my feet and a mild panic attack. Those things are going into sandals in a few weeks? Yikes. All recommendations for a good foot cream will be given serious consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/18 "2017-02-21T19:09:11Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > I have crocus and daffodil shoots (about a week now). Robins about 2 weeks, I think. My roses are optimistically starting to form buds on the stalk. Other than that, winter has been hanging on. I don’t think I’ve spotted large groups of birds going North yet. We’re on a flight path, with a small lake behind us that gets lots of traffic. > > I will remember to swing by the local Osprey nest and see if anyone has arrived yet. 🙂 Sounds like you’re west of the Cascades, too, as we have the same showings. Some trees have buds, as well. Supposed to be sun this coming weekend, which will give things a boost. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/19 "2017-02-21T19:11:19Z")
The willows are putting out catkins. Flocks of redwing blackbirds are moving through. The frogs are out at night, too. No scotch broom flowers yet, though it won’t be long. Unfortunately the weather just feels rainy and cold, still. I need the nights to be reliably un-frosty before I sow seeds in the greenhouse. I am grumpy about it. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338/20 "2017-02-21T19:12:22Z")
42" of snow fell at Tahoe overnite! 😃 😃 Spring Skiing! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-spring/780338.md?page=2)