It's springtime at Springbrook…

Spring, much anticipated and slow in arrival, brought with it an abundance of flowers and songbirds, along with thousands of human visitors. Long before the onset of nesting, prairies were burned to discourage invading plants and stimulate growth of native grasses and forbs. Nesting structures for bluebirds, wood ducks and Canada geese were carefully cleaned out and lined with fresh bedding.

Even cold, wind and rain could not dampen the spirits of our early spring visitors. Sunshine and t-shirt weather finally arrived in May, along with an amazing array of wild songbirds in a rainbow of colors. Flashes of yellow alerted us to the presence of spring warblers and vireos as most made a brief appearance, then continued on with their migrations. Orioles and Rose breasted Grosbeaks now fill the air with melody. Indigo Buntings catch our eye as they begin to nest, often in the same branch of the same tree as last Spring, after returning to Springbrook from as far away as South America. Scarlet and Summer Tanagers light up the forest with color and song. One male Summer Tanager, an uncommon resident, arrives at the welcome circle as if on cue, singing his heart out for visitors.

The ponds are teeming with side swimmers, dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, beetles, water boatmen and leeches! Tadpoles and frogs slip through kindergarten fingers as they count painted turtles sunning themselves on half-submerged logs.

Hand-tied flies flick back and forth at the edge of the lake, tempting bass and bluegill. Kayaks cruise across the shimmering surface while goose families swim away in single file. A trio of eighth grade boys witnesses the birth of twin fawns.

Ahhhh… Springtime is here in all of its glory!