February marks the beginning of the end of winter. Winter will slowly lose its icy grip on the valleys and fields of Cleveland Metroparks this month. Certainly many more days of snow and ice remain, and another month must pass before the vernal equinox marks the official beginning of spring. In February, however, the stirrings of a new season are upon the land and anyone who ventures forth can plainly see them and rejoice.

By month's end, winter, too, will have broken. Spring comes subtly upon the land, but each year the migrating geese and red-wings, emerging skunks and raccoons and the fluttering mourning cloak butterflies bet their very lives on the timing of the eternal cycle of the season. You and your family are forever a part of that magic cycle and can experience it every month in Cleveland Metroparks.

Birds-

Chickadees begin to sing their spring songs in earnest this week as the hours of daylight, gradually increasing since late December, finally begin to be noticed.

Goldfinches return to winter feeders in large flocks. Restock the thistle seed this week if you can!

Great horned owls are already nesting in secret places high atop forest canopies. Imagine them incubating eggs in the winter's cold and snow!

Mammals-

The first signs of spring bring the parade of skunks from their winter sleeping places. Most look quite trim after using much of their body fat reserve during their long winter sleep.

Birds-

Song sparrows, resplendent in their new brown coats with streaked breasts and a central chocolate spot, begin to reappear at area bird feeders. Most will not begin to sing in earnest for another few weeks.

Mammals-

Meadow voles' tunnels under the snow begin to appear as the warmer days "melt the roof off." Their exposed meandering trails in the snow look like snake tracks, giving rise to the old fable of "snow snakes."

As temperatures rise above freezing, chipmunks may reappear in search of fresh food. Their underground storehouses of nuts and seeds may be running low!

Wildflowers-

Skunk cabbage, one of the first harbingers of spring, should be blooming in the wetter lowlands of Brecksville, Hinckley and Rocky River reservations this week.

Birds-

Red-winged blackbirds begin to appear in large numbers about this time each year. Their annual reappearance marks one of the first and surest signs of spring.

Spring migrating ducks such as buffleheads, goldeneyes and redheads begin to reappear at Cleveland Metroparks refuges. They are among the first of the waterfowl to follow spring northward as open water slowly becomes available.

Mammals-

Breeding seasons for squirrels, raccoons and skunks begin as the temperature warms, the day length increases and the animals become more active.

Insects-

Mourning cloak butterflies, which overwinter as adults, may reappear on any warm day this month. Their velvety-brown wings tipped with yellow and small blue spots surprise the winter-weary hiker on Cleveland Metroparks trails.

Birds-

Forlorn-looking red-winged blackbirds huddle on snow covered branches as the last of the month's snowstorms may catch them by surprise. Look for the red and yellow markings located on their shoulders.

Trees-

If days become warm enough and nights stay cold, the maple sugaring season should be in full swing. Watch for acrobatic squirrels licking tasty sap that drips from the ends of broken branches.