March NATURE NOTES
By Katie Andersen
Here are a few things happening in the natural world this month.
Turkey Vulture by Katie Andersen
Southwest winds bring migrating Turkey Vultures, eagles, and hawks along Lake Erie. On warm March & April days with south winds, these migration flights bunch up along the lake shore and can be easily viewed from the Tom Ridge Environmental Center parking lot. Use this HANDY HAWK GUIDE for tips on identifying migrating raptors in flight.
Great month for waterfowl watching. Check various ponds and lakes for ducks, geese, and swans. Loons become a more common sight this month in the bay off Presque Isle
Skunk Cabbage, Coltsfolt, and Pussy Willows in bloom.
Spring Peepers, Wood Frogs, and Chorus Frogs begin calling when nights are warm enough.
Killdeer, Great Blue Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds, Fox Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Eastern Phoebes, and Tree Swallows return north.
American Woodcock by MIchele Franz
American Woodcocks perform courtship flights. It's a great family activity to see! The parking lot at Beach 11 and other open areas at the east end of Presque Isle are good spots to find woodcock performing shortly after sundown.
American Crows and Mourning Doves begin nesting. Be sure to submit your nest sightings to the PA Bird Atlas!
American Goldfinch by Shawn Collins
American Goldfinches begin to molt into their brilliant yellow plumage mid to late March. Males will start to gain their signature black cap at this time, too. Finches become very active at Nyjer (thistle) and sunflower feeders as they molt. Make sure your feeders are clean and your seed is fresh.
Bald Eagles and Eastern Screech-Owls are sitting on eggs. Great Horned Owl chicks hatch this month.
Clean out nest boxes and begin to monitor them at the end of the month. Eastern Bluebirds and Black-capped Chickadees may start building nests in late March or early April.
Many mammals will be active on warm days now, including chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, and skunks.
Hibernating butterflies emerge on warm days. Look for Mourning Cloak, Eastern Comma, and Red Admirals nectaring on early blossoms or feasting on tree sap coming from holes drilled by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make landfall along the southern US coast late by early March. They’ll make their way north over the next several months, reaching our area ~May 1st.
March 2024 Dates Of Note:
March 10th: New Moon
March 25th: Full Moon
March 19th: Spring Equinox