Spring 2012...Strange Days Indeed!

We are now almost a week into the most unusual early Spring weather ever experienced here in Southeastern Wisconsin.  It hit 80 degrees on St. Patrick's Day, and the warming trend continues. We barely even registered Winter, but today my daffodils and my neighbor's forsythia bush are in full bloom...nearly a month too soon!

The bird activity has been just as unusual.  For the past 17 years, we have lived just off Tichigan Lake and have been treated to migratory loons making their way to northern breeding grounds.  Generally speaking, they arrive in conjunction with "ice out" on the lake.  This year the ice out was in late February, and as of today's writing...no loon sightings.  The cardinals, house finches and robins have been singing up a storm and displaying breeding behavior usually noted in mid April.

With changing weather patterns and an unusual jet stream in 2012, my advice to bird watchers this season is to expect the unexpected.  Anticipate many of your favorite migratory species to be visiting earlier than in year's past.  Also keep your ears and eyes open for that "wayward" traveler.  Often strange weather patterns will send some birds not native to your particular area off course.  Now more than ever it is important to have that field guide handy in case one of these little lost souls should take refuge in your backyard.

I would be interested in hearing what type of unusual nature-related trends others may be seeing throughout the United States.  Comments are welcome!  In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful weather.

Update 3/26:  Today I saw one lone common loon on the lake.  Hopefully they haven't all made it north yet!