10 Signs of Spring

Spring Peepers

Wetlands thaw and release choruses of spring peepers, soon joined by red-winged blackbirds trilling from budding bushes.

Ruffed Grouse Sounds

Male ruffed grouse stand atop old logs and drum their wings to establish territory and attract a mate. Hear the sound

Pussy Willows

They produce their furry catkins, one of the first signs of spring in the bare forest.

Smell of Spring

Along a hiking path, the rich scent of warming soil and leaf cover on the forest floor, often next to lingering snow banks sheltered in pockets of northern exposure.

Fawns

White tailed deer babies or fawns are odorless when they are born so predators can’t detect where they are.  The mother will leave the fawn for a few days right after birth as not to rub any of her scent off on the fawn while it gains strength.

Sandhill Cranes

Cranes return to forage in open fields or soar overheard on outstretched wings with their long legs trailing behind. Their distinct guttural calls carry a long way in the spring air.

Ducks on the Lake

Flotillas of migrating ducks bob along the shore in Lake Michigan. The Sleeping Bear Dunes shoreline is a major migratory route and favorite of bird watchers. 

Trilliums

This beautiful flower blooms and covers the forest floor with a blanket of white before the trees leaf out above. Find a robust database of all the wildflowers that can be found in the National Lakeshore on our Wildflower Database.

Loons

After the ice-out, loons soon return to their favorite inland lake nesting spots.

Cyclists

Lingering sections of packed snow and ice from a season of skiing on the Heritage Trail finally soften and give way to cyclists.