March NATURE NOTES
By Katie Andersen

Here are a few things happening in the natural world this month.

Raptor migration season begins! Southwest winds bring migrating 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.

Raptors with peak migration in March are Turkey Vultures, Red-shouldered Hawks, and Red-tailed Hawks. March is also the best time to spot migrating Short-eared Owls hugging the lakeshore.

Killdeer, Great Blue Herons, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Fox Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Eastern Phoebes, and Tree Swallows begin migrating back into our area this month.
American Woodcocks perform courtship flights. It's a great family activity to see. The Beach 11 parking lot 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 Goldfinches start molting 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 continue to 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.

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.

Spring Peepers, Wood Frogs, and Chorus Frogs begin calling when nights are warm enough.

Many mammals will be active on warm days now, including chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, and skunks.
Skunk Cabbage, Coltsfolt, and Pussy Willows in bloom.
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.

March 2025 Dates Of Note:

Lunar Eclipse: March 14th
Starts 12am, reaches full eclipse at 2:58am, ends 6am
Spring Equinox: March 20th

March 14th: Full Moon
March 29th: New Moon