According to Larry Weber, March has always been a fickle month, but this year has taken the cake. The change from record low snow and temperature averages leaning toward 36 degrees, to 20 inches of snow in 3 days and a drop to an average temp of 23 isn't just an about-face for Northland residents, but it's confusing for the little critters too.
The first half of March saw only 1/10 of an inch of precipitation. Vernal ponds and other wet wildlife homes were drying out, but this recent snowfall has changed that. When the snow melts, our amphibian friends will have a place to mate and live.
While the end of the dry spell will be helpful in the long run, there are some animals that are presently needing to make adjustments. Canada geese, swans, and loons have left the frozen-over ponds and lakes for open water areas to rest. Other birds, like bald eagles, sparrows and robins are hunkering down, waiting again for the spring they thought had already arrived.
You can hear Backyard Almanac every Friday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.
