Wild kids

If you have walked in the fields or woods lately, or even driven by these places, you may have noticed some increased wildlife activity in the past few weeks. Spring is the time of emergence of new life, of plants and flowers and also animal life. This is the time of hatching, giving birth and coming out of the winter dens into the warmth of the sun.

All kinds of creatures are making their spring debut. Some of the more obvious creatures, like the newborn fawns, are seen along roadways, sometimes crossing at an inopportune times in front of moving vehicles. These youngsters have no concept of roadside hazards, and quite a number are lost every spring. Small turtles can be seen along the road, as well as frogs, salamanders and snakes. If visiting a pond, you can view tadpoles, and fish in the shallows hovering over nests.

The winged ones are also experiencing their debut into this world. All manner of birds are hatching and being reared by parents: the chipping sparrows, the eastern phoebes that nest above your front door, or the bald eagles that grow from hand-sized chicks to 12-pound, flight-enabled youngsters in 12 short weeks.

Keep a sharp eye out, drive carefully and enjoy the new children.