SPRING TEASE ON BIRCH LAKE

"SPRING" arrives soon but the farther north one lives, the slower that happens.  Much of the snow has disappeared around these parts thanks to unusually warm weather and SW winds...but the ice on the lakes remains.
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I know Spring is not far away when the Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) arrive from the south.  The males arrive first to set up their territories and the females follow about 2-3 weeks later.  They are scheduled to arrive on March 12th +/- 2 days. Never fails.
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The American Robins (Turdus migratorius) arrive about a week after the Red-winged males get here.  We have a saying in Wisconsin...it has to snow three times on the Robin's tail before Spring is really here.
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The melting snow and thinning ice on the lakes is merely a .....tease of things to come. Can't come soon enough for me.
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