Emerge from Hibernation

By Carrie Madren

03/30/2010

Cutting through the woods - still full of drab grays, tans and browns - a flicker of movement in the treetops caught my eye. Silence filled in around me as I paused from my hike. Again, the movement shot over to another tree. An enormous pileated woodpecker, its pointed red cap brilliant against the dull landscape, crept around the trunk, wary of the intruders in its midst. Had it been summer, such a sight would have been obscured by foliage, but as spring had not yet sprung, I had a clear line of sight - catching a wonderful, unobscured wildlife moment that I otherwise would have missed.

Now is the time to break from hibernation. Early mornings still may bring an occasional frost, but it is prime time for reacquainting ourselves with the outdoors. Venture into the fresh, crisp air and your reward will be in wildlife: early spring is a special time for bird watching. Some seasonal species that have flown south for winter will begin to return or pass through; others that stay put for the winter or fly in from the north may still be around, making the bird watching just as interesting as in warmer weather.

When hiking wooded trails, it's not uncommon to see - or hear - a downy woodpecker scampering along tree trunks. Or early songbirds twittering. Eagles are common residents at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Md., and elsewhere around the Bay; and you can spot other species in Mid-Atlantic forests and parks. Many local groups such as Sierra Club chapters and local nature centers offer bird-watching outings, where experts can help you identify feathered fauna. Such an outing will prep you for bird watching in the warmer season to come.

Scout for birds near open water, where some species depend on aquatic animals and plants for food. Near the Chesapeake and tributaries, you're likely to see geese and ducks - such as the striking hooded merganser - which are scarce during summer. Wander through pine groves to find birds eating the seeds out of pinecones and search out brushy areas that might have berries or nuts for songbirds and finches. Early bugs and seeds, too, will make for good bird activity.

In addition to good bird watching, those who break from hibernation early will find popular trails less crowded than in warmer months. Just add a few extra clothing layers to keep warm, and as you hike, peel off layers as needed. Breathable layers - such as fleeces, down vests, cotton and wool - keep you comfortable when your body temperature rises from hiking. If it's still chilly out, fill a thermos with hot chocolate or cider to warm your hands and core mid-hike. If the afternoon sun has warmed you through the trees, a canteen of ice water will quench your thirst.

Another treat early spring hikers will discover are the vistas still visible before emerging leaves block the view. Bare trees - now reddening with buds - extend your sight line to mountains, valleys; much farther than in high growing season, when thick foliage covers the canopy.

Winter and early spring allows for a time of rest in nature, a time for stillness. There's a special potential energy in early spring woods, a silent fullness ready to burst forth with life. Soak in that soulful solitude now, with the first signs of spring barely crowning, before trails attract the traffic of families, mountain bikers, dogs and their owners.

If you're not quite ready to break from hibernation, keep birdfeeders and birdbaths full throughout the spring, and you'll attract winter birds such as juncos, purple finch, cardinals, woodpeckers and spring birds such as robin, finches, bluebirds, tufted titmouse. If you're lucky, you'll catch unusual species on their migration north.

As extra incentive to venture out, this time of year offers fresh excitement to those who love changing seasons - tracking the early signs of spring. Skunk cabbage begins to spear through the ground, and clumps of early greens send up tender, brave shoots into the cool air. Reddish tree buds, too, foreshadow the coming season, a reminder that there are no constants in nature: the harshness of winter, too, shall pass.