Signs of Spring Part 1: snowdrops and robins

Here they are, huddled against the cold, our first flowers of the year, the stalwart little snowdrops. Yesterday, there was no sign of robins, but our dog walk this afternoon was filled with birdsong. The robins are here again: spring is on the way.

The Germans have a nice word for this time of year, much nicer than our "mud season". It's Vorfrühling, which means pre-spring (the prefix "vor" meaning "prior to"). That's where we are right now.

© Yvonne Cunnington, Country Gardener

Sure sign of spring: They're back....

Robins that is. I was walking through my favorite thicket over at the golf course across the road with my dog, and I heard dozens of birds. I made out the familiar call of the robins and another call I didn't recognize, and sure enough there was a gregarious flock made up of dozens of robins and cedar waxwings.

For me, the confirmation that spring has truly arrived is the return of my favorite red-winged blackbirds. Last year, they were here on March 12. Just three weeks to go!!!