Every month has its natural highlights but April harbors more than its share. As the jet stream inches its way back to the north, warm, moist air pushes further into the Heartland, setting the stage for frequent showers and thunderstorms. This increasing moisture feeds the cycle of life and, through the month, greenery intensifies.
Before the forest canopy closes out the sun, woodland wildflowers reach their annual peak; this is the month to look for spring beauty, trillium, hepatica and other forest species. Out in the wetlands, the building heat and humidity trigger the year's first explosion of insects, greeted by an increasing variety of birds and amphibians. Snakes and aquatic turtles emerge from their winter retreats, just in time to feed on this bounty, while swallows and swifts, back from the south, swoop above the seasonal ponds, feasting on the growing hordes of insects. Watching all of this is the barred owl and its questioning call echoes through our spring marshlands.
In Midwest neighborhoods, the flickers are delivering their hysterical calls and drumming on our metal vents, announcing the start of their breeding season. By mid April, they will be joined by most of our summer songbirds while our wintering sparrows and juncos depart for Canada. This is a month of transition and natural crossroads are always an exciting place to be.
