Right now (the last week of February), it is 19 degrees Fahrenheit and the ground is covered with about a foot of snow. Except for a few birds, such as chickadees, crows and the occasional woodpecker, the birds are largely quiet. Many birds present in the region are resident birds that breed here, and also live here during the winter.

We also have some birds that are only seen here over the winter; they migrate from points north during the fall and head back north in the spring to breed. Pine siskins are a good example; they spend the summer breeding in northern Canada, but winter in a large portion of the United States, including our region.

A third group is only seen in our region as the birds pass through during migration in the spring and fall. The usual case is that they winter south of the region, and migrate during the spring to their breeding ground, which happens to be to the north. Birds of this group might rest for several weeks in areas along their migration route as ice and snow melt at higher and higher latitudes.

As temperatures warm up and waterways become more ice-free, some of these transients become visible. Some bird species appear earlier than others, and the appearance of some species may vary, depending on the yearly variation of ice cover, for example. What might be helpful is to keep a phenology journal, listing for example what date you hear the first spring peepers or the first katydids. This can help with first sightings of various species, including birds.

Well known birdwatching spots are a good place to watch, as well as lakes and rivers, especially during and after the spring thaw. You might be watching some green-winged teal while listening to the serenade of the first emerging wood frogs. 

Happy spring!