Well, Spring is finally here. Or so the calendar says! Spring comes more slowly to the natural world than it does to our gardens. The crocus and snowdrops are all ready blooming in our gardens, but out around Horn Pond you have to look closely for signs of the coming season.

Take a walk out back around the Lagoon then out towards the Community Gardens. There is a Cattail Marsh directly across from the Gardens where you will hear, and if you are lucky see, one of our feathered harbingers of Spring, the Red-winged Blackbird. Listen to his call

http://www.learnbirdsongs.com/birdsong.php?id=25

and see what he looks like

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/red-winged_blackbird.htm

Along the water's edge look for the new green shoots of the Yellow Water Iris and Common Cattails. And anywhere along the trails you might surprise our favorite spring bird, the American Robin.

Look for Pussy Willows in the woods.

Along the edge of a stream you might see the first signs of skunk cabbage.

Right now if you walk the Pond you might spot a very different duck that is not usually found at Horn Pond, the Hooded Merganser. This fish eating duck dives for it's food in shallow wooded ponds. It also eats aquatic insects and crustaceans. A large flock of approx. 75 was spotted on Horn Pond on Saturday, 3/21.

Changes will happen fast from now on. Soon the ducks, geese and swans will be paring off and building nests. And it won't be long before the trees will leaf out, the wildflowers will be blooming and baby birds will be seen on the water.