It is hard to believe that today, March 20, is the first official day of spring when there is still close to a meter of snow in yards and a doozy of a snow storm blanketed the entire area with fresh snow just yesterday. If there is any doubt that spring is truly here, read the actual accounts recorded by residents over the last week or so.
March 11 – Hundreds of noisy common crows have appeared in the aspen and cottonwood groves around the lake, pairing up and searching out nesting sites.
March 13 – Two bald eagles were flying together around the west end of the big lake, scouting out last year’s nest on the peninsula between the two lakes.
March 15 – Pussy willows have appeared on the bushes at Access #7.
March 16 – A huge noisy flock of Canada Geese flew overhead, heading north.
March 17 – A single noisy red winged black bird is making a fuss in the trees near the McCarthy Road lake access.
March 18 – A survey down Boultbee Road indicates 95% of the snow has slid off the metal roofs – and with no apparent damage to any chimneys this year!
March 19 – Slush and wet spots are showing up on the lake at the usual places and frozen culverts are forcing melt water to overflow ditches. It is time to replace winter boots with spring galoshes.