Spring is the time of year when all aspects of nature seem to come alive; buds and sprouts are appearing on bushes, trees, and out of the ground, and bears make their appearance after wintering in their dens. Birds are heard in the forests and fields chirping and trilling away; many of these calls heard are breeding and territorial defense calls.

In this region, large birds start nesting first; some of the local eagle pairs started incubating eggs during the latter part of February. Larger waterfowl, such as Canada geese, are close behind. By the time you read this, the flute-like melody of the wood thrush, and a myriad of sounds of other breeding birds, will be evident in varied habitats across the region.