Phenology

The American Heritage Dictionary defines phenology as “the study of periodic biological phenomena, such as flowering, breeding and migration, especially as related to climate.”

As winter bids adieu and spring weather tiptoes toward us, we are highlighting phenological occurrences that many of us might easily miss or take for granted as we go about our busy lives.

April 9 to April 22
Spring peepers and northern leopard frogs have started singing — a very welcome sound of spring. Their nearly constant mating calls can be heard throughout the evening and into the night in wetland areas.

The dry winter, combined with periods of very cold temperatures and deep ice, may have resulted in the deaths of many frogs and turtles in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources is asking people to notify it of any die-offs of 10 or more turtles or frogs that they observe. Contact Bob Hay in the Bureau of Endangered Resources, 267-0849, to report such sightings.

Early blooming woodland wildflowers such as hepatica, bloodroot and trout lily will be starting to appear. And, in Muir Woods, one of several campus natural areas, the ground soon will be covered with the white flowers of toothwort, says Campus Natural Areas field manager Catherine Bruner. Toothwort is a member of the mustard family and is sometimes referred to as pepper root.

A sparrow is a sparrow, right? Wrong! In fact, the common house sparrow we’re so used to seeing throughout much of the year is not related to our native sparrows at all. It is part of the weaver finch family, and was introduced into this country.

There are more than two dozen native sparrow species in the eastern United States, from the petite grasshopper, swamp and field sparrows to the large, colorful fox sparrow. The latter gets its name from its color — a rusty body with gray patches and a bright rufous tail. Its white breast is heavily streaked with rust as well. You’ll know it when you see it because of its distinctive markings and size.

Other colorful migrant sparrows that have been arriving are the white-throated, with a white throat and bright yellow spots above its eyes, and the white-crowned, which has black and white stripes on its crown. The cheerful chipping sparrow is a personal favorite. In the spring and summer, this little bird sports a bright rusty cap, a black line through the eye and a white line above it.

So, when you see a sparrow, take a second look and observe its coloring, size and markings. It might be one you have never seen before.

The gulls are back on campus. They like to hang out at Lot 60 and the marching band’s practice field at the corner of Walnut Street and Observatory Drive. The latter is also a favorite spot for resident geese.

Birds, like humans, migrate much farther south for the winter. Lots of slate-colored juncos, sometimes referred to as snowbirds, winter in southern Wisconsin. In recent weeks, they have been flocking together in larger numbers for their flight northward. One of these days, they will all disappear, until their return next fall.