Found this lost baby goundhog sitting on a road.
Credit: Dawn Johnson
Print
EmailHow do you foretell the coming of spring? Every year, I enjoy hearing what readers from different regions have to say!
To me, birds are one of the best predictors. There is a weather proverb that states, "Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring," and this appears to be true in the northern tier of the United States. Bluebirds do not come north until all chance of winter has passed and they are assured an ample food supply.
In my state of New Hampshire, we also know spring is coming when the maple trees are starting to run. The first to notice seem to be the squirrels who start poking around the trees looking for oozing sap.
On a personal level, I know when spring is coming because I start feeling the bumps and holes on my own country driveway; the snow nicely covers and smooths out our road in winter!
Some of our readers also have practical advice. Winter will end shortly after…
- you are inside your warm home and you hear the sound of icicles crashing from the gutters and roofs to the ground below,
- whenever you feel motivated to peel off the 3M plastic you so meticulously taped and blow dried tight to your windows!
- when your mailbox stops getting knocked over by the plow,
- when the kids lose a mitten and you don't bother to replace it,
- and the first time you can drive with you car window down - best feeling ever!
One of our favorite pieces of advice that we’ve received for predicting the weather is as follows:
Go to the back door and look for the dog.
If the dog is at the door and he is wet, it’s probably raining
But if the dog is standing there really soaking wet, it’s probably raining hard.
If the dog’s fur looks like it’s been rubbed the wrong way, it’s probably windy.
If the dog has snow on its back, it’s probably snowing.
The instructions we were sent go on to say…
Of course, to be able to predict the weather like this, you have to leave the dog outside all the time, especially if you expect bad weather.
Signed, sincerely, the cat
What signs of spring do you see? I'd love to hear! To comment, just type into the field below. (Note that you must be a registered user. Registration is free.)
Catherine, our New Media Editor, joined The Old Farmer's Almanac in 2008. She edits content on both this Web site, Almanac.com, and the companion site to The Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids publication, Almanac4kids.com. She also manages social media content for Facebook and Twitter. When she's not online, she's with her husband and child enjoying the outdoors life in New Hampshire.
From The Old Farmer's Almanac: Sign up to receive a FREE guide (A $4.95 value!) plus updates from Almanac.com.
Comments
I live in WI. My "sign of
I live in WI. My "sign of spring" is the first Robin I see. But I know it's really spring when I can "smell the dirt". Then I know I can start digging in my garden. Can't wait for either one!
I live in Nebraska, so when I
I live in Nebraska, so when I see and hear geese flying north. Also when I start seeing robins, I know spring is close.
When the Osprey return to the
When the Osprey return to the nests at the end of my pier along the Chesapeake Bay.
Japnese Magnolia is in full
Japnese Magnolia is in full bloom in February and leafing green in early March. Great Blue Heron are on nest in the swamp by late January/ early February and have nestlings in late February or early March. Alligators begin to move when air temps reach 55 to 60 degrees F and Cottom-mouths will not leave their limb till warter temps reach rising air temps of about 60 degrees F and these are found facing east soon as it warms enough.
In mid Missouri, I love to
In mid Missouri, I love to hear the little spring frogs start to chirp in the evening. I know it's spring at last.
It's only March 3, and this
It's only March 3, and this morning, a male house finch was singing his little feathered head off at the top of our Chinese elm tree. I was late for work, but had to look up and listen to him for a few minutes anyway. I told him it was still a little early for that kind of behavior, then went on my way.
I live in Indianapolis,
I live in Indianapolis, Indiana and we have had Robbins all winter! I saw a number in December and also in February! The Sandhill Cranes first appeared overhead in February, also, which is really early for them. Spring seems to be coming in early this year! :D
I have also seen robins this
I have also seen robins this winter too in my area (Erie, PA). I also have 2 or 3 blue jays that have been coming to my feeder all winter. I have been leaving them peanuts in the shell...which they love. I also have seen what looks like a wood pecker..didn't get a good look at it but it was walking up and down the tree like one & it had a red head. I also have what I think are grackels and the little brown wrens. So for me it's hard to tell when spring is coming...I keep coming to this site to check how many days til spring :)
It did come early but what
It did come early but what happened to it???
My mother used to say that
My mother used to say that you would never have any frost after you heard the first whippoorwill call. I am a grandfather now and I have never seen this prediction fail.
I usually realize spring has
I usually realize spring has arrived when one day, suddenly, I notice the sound of running water outside. The melt and runnoff has started and the birds, maple buckets and mud will surely be here soon.
In Klamath Falls, OR, when I
In Klamath Falls, OR, when I hear the birds outside just before the sun comes up. They are ready for the day and so am I.
I live in north central
I live in north central Oklahoma. My first real sign of spring is the return of the buzzards from Texas. Usually around the middle of March. I saw a couple of buzzards on Thursday the 10th so they are a bit early. Can spring be far behind?
I live in Southeast Ohio so
I live in Southeast Ohio so for me I always look for, Geese coming in, and they've been back since January and usually I don't notice them until April. Also the flowers and grass, if it starts getting Green before April it's a great sign spring is on it's way and it's very early. The buds on the trees when they are really big, I know they are gonna start to bloom on a warm front week :). And last thing, is just having a knowing feeling. Usually if I feel it and I can smell it, it's gonna be very early. I have said all winter, spring would be early and I was right :).
I live in Exeter N.H. the
I live in Exeter N.H. the signs of Spring I'm seeing are my tulips are coming up.I see the sap buckets getting full on the Maple trees.My neighbors crocuses are coming up. My sure sign is when all the Starlings come & wipe out all the bird food & suet then I know for sure it's here:-)
My grandma use to always say,
My grandma use to always say, "The first sighting of a Robin resolves the debate of the first day of spring."
Fuzzy "cabbages" of Lambs Ear
Fuzzy "cabbages" of Lambs Ear popping up, smelling like a basket of Easter candy
Oddly, North Texas has had a
Oddly, North Texas has had a really cold wietnr this year: highs in the 50s, 40s, sometimes 30s (hey, for Texas, that's cold). But today is quite nice so far the high is supposed to be in the low 70s, and it's very sunny. Except it's also very windy. Almost as windy as Idaho (and that's windy).
WELL TO ME THE FIRST SINES OF
WELL TO ME THE FIRST SINES OF SPRING 2 ME ARE WHEN WE FIND MY DAD PASSED OUT NEKKED OUTSIDE CUZ IT WASNT TOO COLD FOR HIM OUT THERE DRUNK LOL
It is almost spring when I
It is almost spring when I see all the birds gathering leaves and heading for the trees to make their nests. Also, when I start to hear doves and hear crickets spring is almost here.
Post new comment