According to the calendar, spring begins around March 21 each year, the time of the vernal equinox. Usually we equate spring to warming weather, which is true to an extent, but also to the beginning of bird migrations both in and out of Virginia.  However, in the world of birds, the movements and actions of a number of species tips us off to the fact that spring is coming no matter what the weather looks like. Regardless of any snow or cold that may come along, annual bird migrations have subtly begun. Lengthening daylight hours is the "firing pin" that "ignites" many species of birds into singing their spring songs or "triggers" their movement toward traditional breeding grounds. 

     Here in Virginia, it is sometimes hard to detect the first northward movements of birds, since it is located on the northern edge of the wintering range of many species. The initial thrusts of their migrations are not always easily discernible. Some meadowlarks for example, commonly winter near the coasts in the flat farmlands of the coastal plain around the big tidal rivers and the croplands of the Northern Neck, Virginia Beach and Eastern Shore. 

     Robins begin definite northerly movements as early as late-January if they've been wintering farther south. However, if they've been wintering in Virginia all winter, it’s hard to detect those first waves. Flocks begin sweeping through the woodlands, devouring any remaining holly berries. In February, scattered flocks become more common on lawns in the evenings, searching for worms, squabbling and chasing, just before going to roost amid constant chattering back and forth through the trees.

     Large flocks of blackbirds also begin to get restless. These large flocks are made up of a variety of species including red-winged blackbirds, rusty blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, and starlings. They swarm into small wood lots, fields, and front lawns as they meander north. They mainly cover the croplands gleaning what remains of last year's grains, soybeans, and peanuts.

     Many bluebirds also spend the winter with us, especially in coastal and piedmont croplands edged with brushy hedgerows, and even some mountain valleys. Snowstorms or other severe weather may force them farther south, but frequently they take refuge in secluded swamp flowages of cypress, gum, and cedar, or heavily forested river bottoms where they'll flock up with other birds.

     Some of the signs of spring are not sights but sounds. A number of species could qualify as the official message-bearers in heralding the arrival of spring. Song sparrows are among the first to be heard in spring. They are rather plain little brown birds with streaked sides, with a large dark brown blotch on its breast. This common, plain little bird can easily mix with English sparrows, white-throated sparrows, juncos, and house finches and never be noticed. As early as February, the male will find himself an elevated perch in the sun, raise its head skyward and sing its little heart out. He gets so taken up with singing that at times he'll burst into song in the middle of the night!

     Meadowlarks too, are among the first to be heard singing their spring call. It will sit atop posts, stumps, poles or the top of a small tree to pour forth its high-pitched whistled notes. The cardinal is another bird that will suddenly irrupt into spring song come February and March. He begins his courting in February by feeding sunflower seeds to the female. He also becomes irritated by other males that may have spent the winter in his territory, especially young-of-the-year males, and drives them off, effectively dispersing them and forcing them to establish their own home territory.

     Mourning doves begin "cooing" as early as February and, in fact, will begin nesting that early. March will produce the first young doves of the year. Killdeers start showing up in late January in some years. They are the "plovers of the pastures” with black chest bands. The "kill-dee" call carries across fields, highway cloverleafs, and large, open construction sites. On a quiet, warm, late-winter evening, their soft "dee-dee" calls echo over freshly plowed fields as they settle down for the night.

     Birds aren't the only message-bringers of the coming spring. Frogs like the spring peeper can be heard on warm evenings some distance away in the thawing marshes, and wood frogs and tree frogs call from vernal woodland pools.

     The departure of some songbirds signals the coming of spring even as does the arrival of others. The hardy little juncos and white-throated sparrows that flitted about around the backyard feeder or in the hedgerows are already moving north and will soon be replaced by yellow-rumped warblers, and house wrens. As a few warm nights and spring rains produce more insect hatches, purple martins, tree swallows and barn swallows will add their gurgling calls and aerial acrobatics to the new spring.

     Spring always comes, and the "harbingers of spring" are there each year to announce it in their own way. Though each individual spring has predictable similarities, each has unpredictable variety. Like fingerprints, there are no two alike. Each is different. Enjoy this coming spring. There'll never be another one like it! 

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