Thank goodness March, also known as the moon of spring fever, is coming to a close. March is excruciating. It’s taunting. It’s 31 days of eager anticipation, with just enough consummation to keep you on the edge of your seat. The whole period is akin to the dripping water torture.

The month begins with the return of Canada Geese, soon followed by Cackling Geese: drip, drip. Inevitably a snowstorm then arrives, driving the geese back to Pierre. Ha-ha. Upon their reappearance a week later, the geese will be supplemented with Lapland Longspurs: drip. Within days, the first Northern Harriers (all males), Red-winged Blackbirds (mostly males), and Mountain Bluebirds (mostly males) will be seen: drip, drip, drip. Male American Robins roll in and soon begin fighting over favored suburban lawns: drop. In mid-March, American Tree Sparrow flocks suddenly materialize in every bramble patch, and the first pioneering Mallard and Northern Pintail flocks capitalize on any open patch of water created by the whimsical March weather: drip, drip, drop. We usually have a cold snap about then, causing all of these species to again retreat southward. Ha-ha. In week three the vanguard of Snow Geese, White-fronted Geese, and Western Meadowlarks show-up: drippity, drippity, drop-drop. The month concludes with the appearance of the first American Kestrels, Mourning Doves, Killdeers, and Ring-billed Gulls. This signals the end of the water torture, and the beginning of the spring migration rivulet. By mid-April it will be a torrent, cresting in mid-May as millions and millions of birds flood northward. All I can say is, bring it on!

Read the rest of the Dan's column in our March issue...