More snow on the way!

Even more snow.

This stubborn winter just won't seem to release us from its grip. I recall many spring blizzards from past years that dumped a foot of snow or more in April – it's not so unusual. After finally exceeding seasonal snowfall records (crossing the 100 inch mark), having yet another snowy forecast this coming Thursday seems a little pointless and demoralizing. American Robins have already returned in good numbers and last Friday's heavy snow prompted some of them to start eating from our backyard birdfeeders.

Southern Wisconsin received enough snow that Becky and I decided to break out our snowshoes on Sunday for one final hike through the winter wonderland. We wanted to try the trails of Baxter's Hollow, but the entrance road was closed due to the snow. Instead, we opted for nearby Natural Bridge State Park. During our hike we saw a Bald Eagle soaring with Turkey Vultures, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jay and an American Crow that seemed to be busy harassing something, but I couldn't find what the fuss was all about. Perhaps it was just being a crow.


Natural Bridge State Park

Now this recent snowfall has pretty much melted and there's a lot of bare ground once again. I guess that's the positive thing about early spring snowfalls – we know whatever snow we get will generally melt within a few days. The return of Fox Sparrows to our backyard is down to mere days and the first flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers shouldn't be too far behind them. I've been watching NexRad most mornings and animating migrations of the previous night. There has been regular migration but the massive movements of mixed songbirds flocks are still to come. Until then, our little visitors from the north continue to delight us with their spring songs.


Ready to return north.

All images © 2008 Mike McDowell