Monday, March 7, 2011

Chipmunks Emerge from Winter Slumber

More signs of spring here in southeastern New Hampshire. Nearly two inches of rain in the last 24 hours has uncovered more bare ground. A healthy-looking chipmunk with full cheek pouches was busy beneath the bird feeders this morning -- the first chipmunk I've seen emerge from winter slumber. Yesterday afternoon as I stood in our backyard I heard at least two male red-winged blackbirds singing from the edge of the wetland in our back woods. I don't hear them today. I assume they went in search of some open water, as the wetland is still snow and ice-covered.

Northern New England is experiencing something completely different. My sister and family near Burlington, Vermont are getting the biggest snowstorm since Valentine's Day 2007 and maybe the biggest recorded snowfall ever for March. Thirty inches of snow are predicted for some parts of the state. My sister mentioned snow drifts of six feet in her yard this morning, because of high winds. I hope they get to see chipmunks soon, as they are  getting tired of winter up that way.

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