Wednesday Words. #9 Happy March!

Good morning and Happy March everyone! Well, for us, today is the official first day of spring, at least as far as weather forecasting is concerned. So, the weather forecasters have now issued their long range spring forecast for March, April and May. And, it looks much like it did for spring last year. Cold. Colder than normal anyway. That means a slow melt for the snow.

And especially for the next 6 weeks things do not look so good. That does not mean that melting will not take place, just that it will be slow, so it will take longer for that snow to melt. That means we could have snow on the ground until late April again this year. Sigh. On the plus side, we should not be getting much snow in March. March is generally our snowiest month of the year.

Boreal Chickadee on the suet.

Though last year it was February. But it looks like spring should be more or less normal for moisture this year. That part is okay. Especially if it is rain instead of snow. I am going to make my own forecast and say that May, June and July will be much drier than normal. I know that is not a good forecast, but I am going with past weather trends of the last 30 years to come up with my forecast.

Boreal Chickadee on the step by my feet, looking for peanuts.

Anyway, the first day of spring. Yes, the calendar says differently, but the calendar does not work for this far north. However, this year it might be more accurate. It is cold this morning, -4F (-20C) and a northeast wind, making it feel colder than it is.

I was outside earlier trying for some pictures. It did not go too well, all I did was nearly freeze. I am still trying to warm up after an hour and a half. It is that wind that does it. But the Boreal Chickadees were out there so I wanted to try for more pictures while the sun was shining. They look so beautiful in the sunlight.

Black-capped Chickadee waiting his turn at the suet.

I did not make it however. By the time I got dressed and headed outside, they were gone. Naturally. Happens a lot. They will not be around much longer as they head further into the forest for nesting later this month. That could happen anytime really. So I need to get as many pictures as I can while they are still here. The same goes for the Pine Grosbeaks who will be heading north very soon.

Black-capped Chickadee sitting on the suet cage.

Common Redpolls should be around for a while yet, so I have more time to get pictures of them. I have not been able to get many pics of them yet this winter since they have not been around much until recently. Time for more of that nice hot coffee before I head outside again. Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2023 Steve McLeod.