This week it’s more like spring, in spite of all the snow we’ve had. There’s still 5 or 6 inches of snow on the ground, but the temperature gets up over 40 degrees during the day and the sun is out, so it’s melting away quickly.

The first Red-winged Blackbirds arrived in the wetland yesterday. I saw them along the Mississippi and the Buffalo River last week, but it always seems to take them longer to get to our valley. It’s nice to hear them singing, but odd to see them surrounded by snow.

I sat at the living room window and watched the valley get dark one evening. It was interesting to see how much animal activity happens at that time of night. A flock of about 8 bluebirds showed up and investigated the nest boxes – I think looking for shelter for the night. They checked out each of the houses and eventually settled on one. I think all 8 may have stayed in the same house – I’m sure it’s warmer that way. Two raccoons made their way up the gully to the area under the birdfeeder deck. They spent a long time digging in the snow and eating fallen birdseed. And a flock of robins flew north over the house.

I’m getting a little tired of the snow, but it’s good for seeing footprints. Some animals are small and light, and especially if they walk when it’s colder and the snow has a crust, they stay on top. Here’s a Ruffed Grouse trail on top of the snow.

Wild Turkeys have a little more trouble staying on top – sometimes they manage it – this is one footprint on top of the snow –

but usually they break through the crust.

I found one south-facing spot where all the snow had melted and saw several grasshoppers. I didn’t know they ever came out this early in the year. Reading the book I just got about Wisconsin Grasshoppers, I think these must be nymphs of a grasshopper species that over winters as nymphs rather than as eggs. Adult grasshoppers won’t start to appear until May.

I saw several Velvet Mites (family Trombidiidae) – beautiful velvety creatures about ¼ inch long that are related to spiders and scorpions. This one looked especially bright on one of the yellow sand piles on Sumac Prairie.

Sumac Prairie is almost completely free of snow. It’s nice to see that there are a few insects to keep the bluebirds going until spring really comes. I did see one Eastern Bluebird hunting there.

While I was sitting watching all the activity on Sumac Prairie, a flock of Sandhill Cranes flew overhead.