wild things
The Joy of Spring Migration
Story & photography By Susan Petro
The coming of spring brings a level of joy to anyone looking forward to longer , warmer days , the delightful emergence of crocuses and other spring flowers , and the arresting beauty of blossoms of our local cherry and other flowering trees . It ’ s a time when area farmers welcome new baby farm animals and watch fields of winter wheat green up after lying dormant all winter .
For birding enthusiasts , the arrival of spring adds another level of excitement : spring migration , the time when flocks of birds of all shapes and sizes begin flying north towards their normal breeding grounds . Many migrating birds return from points south to make their seasonal home in the Agricultural Reserve . With its abundant natural resources and habitat , it ’ s a perfect place for birds to find a mate , breed , and raise their young .
While many birds end their migration in parts of the Ag Reserve , others continue their journey further north . Birders are keenly aware that there is a limited window of time to find the species that are just passing through . Early migrants start showing up around mid-March . While some migrants are still arriving in April , other local , non-migrating species have already produced new offspring .
A favorite activity of birding enthusiasts is finding “ lifers ,” a new species or variant of bird that they have never seen before . Lifers can be found year-round , but spring and fall migration provides a greater opportunity to find them .
Spring migrators , the great white heron , top ; yellow-crowned night heron , left .
44 plenty I Spring sowing 2021