Column: For many animals, it’s still winter, but there are signs of spring

This combination of highs and lows can make this one of the more challenging months to get out and enjoy nature. While these warm days are nice, it is still winter for many animals. There are early signs of spring that you can be on the lookout for, and we’ve had exciting reports come in from all corners. First, piping plovers are here. American woodcocks, aka timberdoodle, are very hard to detect during the day, but in the evenings can be heard doing their songs and flight displays near most wet fields edged by woods. The groundhogs are also here. I’ve seen a few reports of early salamanders – mostly yellow-spotted salamanders – on the move. ~ Doug Hitchcox