Still think it’s winter? Check out some signs that spring has sprung

Whether we like it or not, spring is here.  The days of excuses to stay home from school are over—that’s right, no more snow days.  As the days get longer and warmer, the birds and plants are slowly making their way out of hibernation and becoming active. 

Northeastern trees, such as the ones that exist in Port Washington, are known for budding in late April or early May. 

Blooming flowers are, perhaps, the most obvious sign of spring.  Flowers such as daffodils and tulips are known to be early budders.  Daffodils are golden yellow with the shape of a long trumpet.  The curved shaped petals and the color make the species easily recognizable.

Tulips usually bloom after daffodils and can be identified with a cup-shaped blossom and six petals.  Their leaves are usually green in color with an oval shape. These plants are phototropic, which means that they bend towards the light.  Tulips rely on the sunlight, so the blossoms open during the day and close during the night.

Surprisingly, trees and flowers on land are not the only things that bloom in the spring.  Phytoplankton, which are tiny ocean plants, begin to grow and form blooms in the water.

When you wake up in the morning, you may hear the callings of birds.  You may have heard the Black-capped Chickadee or the sounds of the American Robin. 

The Black-capped Chickadee is small with a thin and short bill.  It has white cheeks, gray back and wings, and a white puffy belly. 

The American Robin can be identified by its bright orange belly, dark head, and yellow beak.  Their song is often described as sounding like “cheerily, cheer up, cheer up, cheerily, cheer up.”  You are most likely to hear this call at dawn.

Within the next few weeks, you may even be able to see monarch butterflies in your garden.  They began their annual transcontinental journey from their wintering grounds in Mexico to the northeast.  This means that they will be present on Long Island within the Spring.

With all of this happening in nature, it is clear to see that spring has indeed sprung!