By: Derek Polzer, Rewild NJ Movement Member
It’s mid-March & my wife Jacky & I were walking one of the boardwalk trails here in the Great Swamp when we finally heard the song of the Red-Winged Blackbirds. It’s not officially Spring, but by now Spring Peepers & Chorus Frogs would have begun singing & turtles would have begun to emerge from the vernal pools.
Winter has been hard this year, two heavy snows back-to-back along with a long period of single digit temperatures. But it’s starting to warm & we’ve been getting some rain which means the snow is beginning to melt & the ice that has held the streams & rivers solid is beginning to break up.
With the coming of the Spring rains brings the start of Spring flooding season here in the Great Swamp & throughout the Passaic River Valley. The river’s the ice is beginning to move & the streams are beginning to open, & I’m beginning to count the days until the start of Trout season.
It’s an active time, Black Bears are beginning to emerge from their winter sleep, Fox has become more active & migrating waterbirds are appearing on the ponds & impoundments stopping off on their migration north. As Springs arrival begins to quicken Skunk Cabbage, Trout Lilies, & little Spring Beauties will begin appearing. Bluebirds, Swamp Sparrows, Wood Thrushes, Mallards, & Wood Ducks will start to nest.
Trees will bud then leaf out; fields will begin to green, & birdsongs will greet the sunrise. It may not always hold to the calendar, but Spring always returns fulfilling the ancient promise of renewal. Welcome, Spring!
… paddling ever onward! Derek Polzer
Check out this story & more on the Community Blog! Get notified for every new post. Subscribe Today!
We are Preserving the Wild Spirit of New Jersey. Get notified of every new post. Subscribe Today!
Help to Rewild NJ. Join the Rewild NJ Movement today.
Learn More & Connect
Email: rewildnjcc@gmail.com
Follow us on social media @rewildnjcc.
Donate
Rewild New Jersey Community Cooperative (RNJCC) is completely volunteer based and self-funded. Please contribute funds to support our launch, development, and overhead costs!
Rewild New Jersey Community Cooperative (RNJCC) 