With early spring now upon us, nature’s most eventful and exciting season has begun.

Change is the order of the day. The silence of winter has already given way to plentiful bird song, and trees like silver maples are now festooned in pom-poms of red and yellow flowers. But first, let’s look back at the “classic” Canadian winter we just experienced.

The numbers are not quite as dramatic as you might think. Over the last three months, snowfall was only 70 mm (2.8 inches) above average, while temperatures were a mere 0.3 C below average. If you’re wondering how these cold, snowy conditions could make sense in light of global heating, remember that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture which can feed heavier snowfalls. Rapid Arctic warming is also shrinking the temperature contrast with southern latitudes — making the jet stream wavier and more prone to sending bursts of Arctic air south. None of this is surprising since atmospheric CO2 — the heat-trapping gas — continues to rise at a faster pace than ever before.

Despite warmer temperatures right now, the Weather Network is predicting that spring may feel slow to arrive this year. It is forecasting a mix of both cold and mild spells well into April, prevailing unsettled conditions, and a very unpredictable May before the steady warmth of summer.

As the Kawarthas burst back to life, here’s your guide to the sights, sounds, and spectacles of spring you won’t want to miss.

The calls of spring peepers are a time-honoured sign of spring. Their piercing, rhythmic peeps sound like a thousand tiny sleigh bells ringing in the marsh.

Local wetlands are already awakening to the calls of spring peepers (loud “peeps” repeated once a second), wood frogs (quacking sounds), western chorus frogs (a fast clicking like a fingernail drawn over a comb), and northern leopard frogs (a low snore). To learn frog calls, visit www.naturewatch.ca/frogwatch/ontario/.

Don’t be surprised if a half-crazed robin or cardinal starts pecking or flying against one of your windows. Being very territorial, these birds instinctively attack intruders of the same species — in this case, their own reflection.

Waterfowl migration is coming to a close. However, with a little effort, you should still be able to find 10 or more species. Some hot spots right now are Otonabee River, Lakefield Marsh, the south end of Lake Katchewanooka, and the Lakefield Sewage Lagoons on County Road 33. In recent days, ring-necked ducks and hooded mergansers have been especially common.

April is a busy time for feeders, especially for ground feeders. In addition to dark-eyed juncos, which have been here all winter, watch for sparrows such as song, fox, chipping, white-throated, and white-crowned. Eastern towhees are also a possibility. Be sure to scatter finch mix or millet on the grass near your feeder. 

The walleye spawning run typically peaks in early to mid-April, once water temperatures reach approximately 6 C to 9 C. The best viewing usually occurs at night or during lowlight hours (dawn and dusk) when they move into shallow, rocky areas with moving water. Try downstream of the Scotts Mills Dam (Lock 19) in Peterborough or below the pedestrian bridge in Young’s Point. Take along a strong-beamed flashlight.

Watch for early butterflies such as the mourning cloak, Compton’s tortoiseshell, the eastern comma, and, by month’s end, the dainty all-blue spring azure.

The muffled drumming of the ruffed grouse is one of the most characteristic sounds of April.

If you want to see salamanders, wait for a mild, rainy night when the first frogs are calling. Drive slowly along back roads that pass through low woodlands with nearby swampy areas or flooded ditches. You should be able to see both spotted and blue-spotted salamanders making their way to breeding ponds.

The courtship flight of the American woodcock provides nightly entertainment in damp, open habitats, such as those found along Moncrief Line near the airport. Their spectacular “sky dance” typically begins 15 to 20 minutes after sunset but peaks for only 30 to 45 minutes. If you watch the western horizon, you may see the bird’s spiralling ascent. The Merlin Sound ID app is very reliable at picking up both the male’s buzzy “peent” call and the twittering and chirping sounds made during flight.

Hepaticas are usually the first woodland wildflowers to bloom in spring. The flowers can be pink, white, or bluish in colour. Look for them on south-facing forest hillsides or at the base of large trees. The Stony Lake Trails at Viamede are excellent for spring wildflowers — especially the Yellow Trail.

May migrants, like this Baltimore oriole, often rely on backyard feeders during inclement weather. An orange half is often all it takes to attract these beautiful songsters to your garden. Like hummingbirds, they also come to nectar feeders.

This is the time to see the “spring ephemeral” butterflies, like Olympia marbles and elfins. Try Sandy Lake Road off County Road 46.

The white blossoms of serviceberries (Juneberries) are a common sight along country roadsides. By midmonth, woodlots display a profusion of wildflowers, including yellow trout lilies, large-flowered bellworts, spring beauties, and white trilliums.

With many species nesting, keep your cat indoors. It’s no wonder so few baby robins survive in neighbourhoods where cats roam freely.

The first ruby-throated hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles usually return around May 5. Be sure to have your nectar feeders up and ready to greet them. Orioles also love cut oranges.

Migrating rose-breasted grosbeaks often show up at sunflower feeders, as does the occasional indigo bunting.

Starting in early May, the long, fluid trills of the American toad can be heard day and night. Later in the month, grey treefrogs serenade us with their slow, birdlike, musical trills. Green frogs and bullfrogs join the chorus as well.

The damp morning air is rich with the fragrance of balsam poplar resin, a characteristic smell of spring in the Kawarthas.

Along rail trails and roadsides, watch for the light brown stems of horsetails (Equisetum) rising from the ground in colonies. Spore cones are visible on the tips.

If you are looking for pollinator plants for your garden, the GreenUP Ecology Park Native Plant Nursery in Peterborough opens for the season on May 17 at 10 a.m. It offers a wide selection of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that support local biodiversity.

Early through mid-May sees the peak of songbird migration, with the greatest numbers of warblers, vireos, thrushes, orioles, flycatchers, and other neo-tropical migrants passing through. Early morning provides the best viewing. Some May migration hot spots include Beavermead Park, Meadowvale Park, and Trent Rotary Rail Trail (Trent to Douro 9th).

Canadian tiger swallowtail and black swallowtail butterflies appear by month’s end. They are sometimes seen “puddling” for minerals along trails and dirt roads.

Canada tiger swallowtails are a common sight starting in late May.

Birdsong is at its most diverse. Make a point of taking in the “dawn chorus,” the fervent birdsong that takes place each morning before sunrise. In the city, robins are the first species to sing. A favourite spot of mine to listen to the chorus is the wetland at the north end of Fairbairn Street.

Painted turtles and snapping turtles are often seen along roadsides and other sandy locations where they lay their eggs. If you see a turtle on the road — and if it is safe to do so — help it get across. If you find an injured turtle, call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre immediately at 705-741-5000.

The first monarch butterflies usually appear in the Kawarthas in June. In March, Monarch Joint Venture announced that the butterfly population overwintering in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests this winter covered 2.93 hectares. This represents a 64 per cent increase over last year. Estimates suggest about 20-30 million monarchs per hectare.

Orchids bloom this month, including the spectacular showy lady’s slipper.

The Summer Solstice occurs on Sunday, June 21, at 4:24 a.m. The sun will rise and set farther north than on any other day of the year.

© Peterborough Examiner