Spring Is Trying Hard To Arrive Early

Survival in Tough Times: Are the snowbirds still here? Soon even they will abandon their winter quarters for the journey to the True North Strong and Free. We wish them a prosperous and successful summer north of the 49th Parallel;

Dr. Bruce Smith ——Bio and Archives--March 5, 2026

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Here in the Heartland there are many signs of approaching Spring. Over the last two weeks there have been several surprises. Most signs don’t appear here until early in March, but this year has been different.

More than two weeks ago, I discovered enormous flocks of geese, one completely covering 75 or more acres, nearby. They were mostly snow geese from all the white I saw, but an observer I talked to said there were also blue geese and speckle belly geese, too, along with ducks. I was able to drive close to the smaller flock without disturbing them. It was only 40-50 acres.

Redwing blackbirds, usually one of our first harbingers of spring

As I watched them the larger flock took to the air crossing a highway and settling back down closer to me, completely filling the sky as they did so. They have remained in the vicinity since then, waiting for a few more days as they rest up for the trek north.

Only ten days ago on a very warm afternoon I had more signs. A sizable flock of redwing blackbirds, usually one of our first harbingers of spring, settled in large trees just south of I-70 in western Indiana. Their........

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