Date: 04/18/2007

Number: 1

Spring is here! The first American Robin that was confirmed arrived April 18th. I hear that folks are reporting tulips in Riverdale (a suburb of Whitehorse that is the warmest place in Yukon).The spring migration is going fast and furious. The first spring land bird was probably the Mountain Bluebird that arrived on April 10th right on schedule. Prairie crocus (Anemone patens) always blooms somewhere within the Whitehorse city limits somewhere between April 18th-21st except this year. I am hoping today is the day but so far none have been reported (I searched again yesterday). Juncos, White-crown Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, Varied Thrush, Ruby and Golden-crown kinglets are some of the common forest birds around now. Yesterday a Violet-green Swallow was seen. Almost all the ducks are accounted for with the exception of Blue and Cinnamon teal, and Harlequins. The first butterfly (mourning cloak) and the first mosquito have been seen. Snow is getting patchy in the valleys but is still solid in the forests and on the mountains. Most of the lakes are still frozen though the rivers are opening. It is still going below freezing every night (last night was -3C) but beautiful and sunny during the days.

I have attached a photo of Marsh Lake on Saturday. The dark line in the distance is the open water where all the Waterbirds are staging.

Whitehorse, YT

Latitude: 60.4 Longitude: -135

Observed by: Bruce
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