Date: 02/02/2001

Number: 1

Feb.02/01

Signs of Spring from Toronto, Ontario:

We have more reasons to suspect that spring is on the way, besides the fact that Wairton Willie II ( a white groundhog) did not see his shadow today.

In recent days, temperatures temporarily rose to above freezing. We also had the first rainfall in many weeks. Today, we're back to snow. Outside, I see much animal activity. I see black squirrels chasing other squirrels out of their territories and chasing after females. I see similar activity among increasing numbers of common crows, that often congregate in flocks. West of Toronto, one flock was estimated to have between 2000 and 3000 individuals. There are reports of newly arrived flocks of waterfowl and gulls along the north shore of Lake Ontario. Also at this time of year, owls are calling out for mates and begin nesting.

And, of course, the days are getting longer and we are seeing much more sunshine.

Don Davis
Toronto, ON

donald_davis@utoronto.ca

Toronto, ON

Latitude: 43.7 Longitude: -79.4

Observed by: Donald A.
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