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The Daily Bucket -- Signs of spring up north [1]
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Date: 2025-04-05
I visited Lake Erie Metropark and Pointe Mouillee earlier this week on a sunny but cold day. The forecast has called for lots of cloud cover and rainy days and I took advantage of a nice day. There were signs of spring everywhere I looked, which is welcome, as is the rain in the forecast. So far, we’ve had just over five inches of rain, which put us over the normal amount for the year. I’m hoping this means we’re finally out of abnormally dry status and help keep us out of drought. This Bucket will be photo heavy with comments in the captions.
Starting closer to home, the early blooms continue. Spring this year in SE Michigan has been going strong for a day or two, then disappearing back into late winter. So any color in the landscape is reassuring.
Squill is joining winterlings, snowdrops and crocuses.
The first flowering tree I’ve seen — magnolia.
No change yet in backyard birds, with our winter Dark-eyed Juncos continuing. All the females have departed though. Out along Lake Erie, I saw more changes, starting with the Osprey in the title photo. The males returned a few weeks ago and the females are now here, with nest building underway.
There are still some winter residents hanging around.
American Tree Sparrows are winter residents. This group of three was at Lake Erie Metropark. I haven’t seen any of our summer sparrows yet.
Bonaparte’s Gulls are also winter residents and are already heading north. This one is changing into breeding plumage. I saw several with the full black head — a first for me.
A sometime winter resident — Golden-crowned Kinglet, which will be moving on soon. I posted this the other day and WordsandBirds noted the delicacy of its feet. I agree. I also marvel at how tiny these wee ones are, with the barest twig bearing its weight.
More migrating birds — Green- and Blue-winged Teals, here at Lake Erie Metropark.
Horned Grebe at Lake Erie Metropark, changing into breeding plumage.
Summer residents are starting to arrive, here a Great Egret at Lake Erie Metropark.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NATURE IN YOUR AREA?
THE DAILY BUCKET IS A NATURE REFUGE. WE AMICABLY DISCUSS ANIMALS, WEATHER, CLIMATE, SOIL, PLANTS, WATERS AND NOTE LIFE’S PATTERNS.
WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND HISTORY OF THE DAILY BUCKET FEATURE, CHECK OUT THIS DIARY: DAILY BUCKET PHENOLOGY: 11 YEARS OF RECORDING EARTH'S VITAL SIGNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
I’ll be taking a couple hours off early this afternoon to take part in the Hands Off demonstration.
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[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/4/5/2314508/-The-Daily-Bucket-Signs-of-spring-up-north?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
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