Signs of Spring: Phenology

The songs of the first red-winged blackbirds of the season were heard in north Maplewood during the morning of Friday March 29, the latest date since observations began in 1999.

Phenology which is derived from the Greek word phaino meaning to show or appear, is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events that are influenced by environmental changes, especially seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation driven by weather and climate. A new national network of Phenology is being developed. The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) will facilitate systematic collection and free dissemination of phenological data from across the United States. Also track the progress of The Ruby-throated Hummingbirdsas they migrate north.

Here is some recent spring phenology for a site in Maplewood just north of St. Paul.

First Red-winged Blackbirds Heard
----------------------
1999   March 22
2000   March 4
2001   March 28
2002   March 25
2003   March 19
2004   March 8
2005   March 12
2006   March 10
2007   March 13
2008   March 19
2009   March 15
2010   March 14
2011   March 17
2012   March 11
2013   March 29
Frost Leaves the Ground
----------------------
2001   April 4
2002   April 12
2003   April 11
2004   March 28
2005   April 10
2006   April 2
2007   March 30
2008   April 18
2009   April 7
2010   March 16
2011   April 2
2012   March 15
2013   April 18
First Western Chorus Frogs Heard
--------------------------------
1999   April 3
2000   April 13
2001   April 11
2002   April 12
2003   April 10
2004   April 5
2005   April 3
2006   April 10
2007   March 25
2008   April 14
2009   April 14
2010   March 30
2011   April 5
2012   March 16
2013   April 25
First Dandelions
-----------------
2003   April 29
2004   April 23
2005   April 8
2006   April 21
2007   April 15
2008   May 3
2009   April 27
2010   April 4
2011   April 22
2012   April 2
2013   May 6
Crabapples Blooming
----------------------
1999   May 2
2000   May 2
2001   May 9
2002   May 17
2003   May 7
2004   May 6
2005   May 3
2006   May 5
2007   April 30
2008   May 17
2009   May 8
2010   April 24
2011   May 18
2012   April 13
2013   May 19 (prolonged bloom. some varieties had full bloom through May 29) 
Lilacs Blooming
---------------------
1999   May 10
2000   May 4
2001   May 13
2002   May 25
2003   May 13
2004   May 9
2005   May 9
2006   May 6
2007   May 6
2008   May 24
2009   May 15
2010   May 1
2011   May 19
2012   April 14*
2013   May 25*
*from a variety of lilacs in the area.
Last modified: April 29, 2015
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