Signs of Spring
Phenology Checklist
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Phenology: The study of the seasonal timing of life cycle events.

Instructions: Print a copy of this list. Gather as much of the information as you can. Don't worry about items you miss or exact dates. Add your own ideas.

Exchange: Find a partner classroom and exchange observations. Can you figure out where your partner is located? 

Report Your Sightings!

Sunlight

Answer
Our photoperiod on the following days (Sunrise/Sunset Look-up)
Photoperiod is the number of hours and minutes between sunrise and sunset.		  
    January 20  
    February 20  
    March 20 (equinox)  
    April 20  
    May 20  
    June 21 (solstice)  
Length of shadow of a meter stick at noon on the following days:  
    January 20  
    February 20  
    March 20 (equinox)  
    April 20  
    May 20  
    June 21 (solstice)  

Temperature

 Dates
Date of LAST frost  
LAST date our night temperature drops to:
-15C (3F) /  -10C (14F) /  -5 C (22F) /  0C (32F) /  5C (41F)		  
Ice covers birdbath (or puddle) for the LAST time.  
Ice-out occurs on our adopted local pond, lake, river or ocean. (Adopted for Journey North spring "ice-out" observations)*   
Our air temperatures on the following days:
  
    January 20: High____ Low ___ Average ___  
    February 20: High____ Low ___ Average ___  
    March 20: High____ Low ___ Average ___  
    April 20: High____ Low ___ Average ___  
    May 20: High____ Low ___ Average ___  

Plants

 Date
Our Adopted Tree (Adopted for Journey North spring "leaf-out" observations) Species adopted:__________________________  
Date LEAF-OUT OCCURRED on our adopted tree.*  
Date MAPLE SAP FLOWED for first time.*     
Tulips  
Date our tulips EMERGED*     
Date our tulips BLOOMED*     
Things we notice about other plants in our region. (Use extra paper.)  

Animals

 Date
Date FIRST earthworm sighted.*   
Date FIRST frog heard singing.*   
Date first robin SEEN.*   
Date first robin HEARD singing.*   
Date first WAVE of migrating robins (3 or more in yard.).*   
Date FIRST hummingbird sighted.*   
Date FIRST monarch butterfly sighted.*   
Date FIRST monarch butterfly EGG sighted on milkweed.*   
Date FIRST oriole sighted or heard.*   
Date FIRST manatee, bald eagle, loon, whooping crane, caribou, whale sighted. (If you're lucky.)*   
Things we notice about other animals in our region. (Use extra paper.)  

More About Our Climate

 
Our total annual precipitation.  
Average of inches of rain we receive each year.  
Average of inches of snow we receive each year.  

Other Clues!
About our local History, Geography, Culture, Anthropology, and more!
(Use extra paper for notes.)

 
* Please report these events to Journey North.