Stopping by Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on this first day of February, I found that more than 80% of the surface water was frozen over. A couple dozen gadwall and two mallards were the only waterfowl that I encountered.
Making up for their absence, a good variety of raptors patrolled the floodplain, including three bald eagles, four red-tailed hawks, two northern harriers and a lone red-shouldered hawk. As is usually the case, massive flocks of red-winged blackbirds moved about the refuge, joined by small flocks of meadowlarks, mourning doves, crows, starlings and horned larks.
Despite this wintry scene, I consider February to be the first month of spring. Migrant geese and American white pelicans will increase through the month and the first bulb plants (hyacinths and crocuses) push through the chilly soil before March arrives. Great horned owls are nesting, flickers will be drumming by mid month and bird song intensifies with the lengthening daylight. Happy Spring!
