Forget about that ground hog seeing his shadow, there are far more reliable signs in the Northern Hemisphere that spring has finally arrived. A few if the signs are listed here in the order of sighting.
The gaggle sound and sight of the black Vee in the sky as the geese fly overhead on their journey north. The geese can be heard before they are seen. Geese fly south before the first snow fall in autumn and before the last snow fall of the season.
Outdoor ice rinks close because the night time temperature is not low enough to refreeze the ice. Ice fishing on the lake is no longer allowed because the ice is too thin. Rivers are reaching flood stages because of the snow melt.
The sighting of the first robin since Christmas.
The crocus and hyacinth flowers emerge through the snow. These are the first bulbs to bloom and can withstand the freezing winter temperatures. They are delicacies for starving wild life such as deer and rabbits so they aren’t seen for long.
Hibernating animals wake up. There are fresh gopher mounds in the lawn or garden.
Ski resorts are closing due to lack of interest as well as because the snow base is too low.
Buds form on the trees and the cherry blossoms come out. Not only are these blossoms a welcome sight but they are fragrant as well. Tourists flock to Washington, DC to see the annual cherry blossom bloom.
Everyone around you is suffering from seasonal hay fever from juniper and elm trees.
Fresh strawberries are on sale at the grocery and produce stores.
That yen to dig in the dirt comes back. It is time to implement the garden plans created during the Winter. Spring cleaning comes later.
The time was moved forward on all the clocks by one hour for Daylight Savings Time.
Baseball spring training is underway and Little League work outs and try outs are announced. Golf courses reopen. It is no longer necessary to use colored golf balls on the driving range.
The March high force winds are here (“March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.”). Precipitation changes from snow fall to rain. (“April showers bring May flowers.”)
The calendar says it is March 20.
Finally, the lucky bird watcher will hear the spring bird songs and witness the bird mating dances before finding the colored eggs in the nest.
