Harbingers of Spring in Erie

Robins are often thought to be harbingers of spring, but here in Erie, they are not as we have robins who stay here year-round (and, yes, they are hardy buggers to live through our winters!). However, there are three TRUE harbingers of spring in Erie that we have observed over the years:

1.)Red-winged blackbirds. We usually hear these birds before we see them. They have a very distinctive trilling call and we love to hear it in March as these birds mean spring really is just around the corner. On a related note: These birds are responsible for the sign warning you of nesting birds who can be aggressive on the multipurpose trail at Presque Isle just past The Feather structure. There is a stretch of woods between the road and the marshy area where these birds nest every year. And, every year, they get mad at all the people walking, biking, running, rollerblading, etc. on the trail.

2.) Skunks. When we smell that …um….sweet?…. smell of skunk, we know that spring has sprung. While they do not hibernate, skunks can enter a state of torpor, a sort of deep sleep from which they awake from time to time, that is influenced by the temperature and food availability.

3.) Spring Peepers. These tiny frogs, which are only 1 to 1.5 inches big, can be hard to see, but they are not hard to hear. They are little frogs with big “voices” that create a loud chorus from nearly every pond and wetland in the Erie area in the spring. After a long, cold winter, we live for the first warm spring nights and the nearly deafening sound of hundreds (thousands?) of amphibians looking for love. The males of this species are calling out to the females, who are drawn to their chirping suitors. After the frogs mate, the females will lay eggs underwater. Those eggs hatch in approximately twelve days. They are most active near dusk in spring, but can be heard on overcast/dark days as well.

By the way, it’s March 21 and we have already seen/smelled/heard all three of these!

2 Non-Nature Signs of Spring

1.) Sara’s opening.Sara’s restaurant, the quintessential ’50s-style diner at the entrance of Presque Isle opens each year on April 1st. No matter the weather, there will be a line of traffic back up for a mile or more of people trying to get their Sara’s fix — whether it’s their signature orange-and-vanilla twist cone, a thick milkshake, curly fries, a Smith’s hot dog, onion rings, or one of a dozen other favorites. Insider tip: Take advantage of Sara’s coupons! Also, they are pet friendly (outside) and have pup cups!

2.) Erie SeaWolves Back in Action. The Erie SeaWolves, Erie’s Double-A baseball team will host their home opener on Friday, April 4 at 6:05 p.m. And, they are having a fish fry that night, too…sweet! Erie loves it’s lent fish-fry season! The wolves play all summer and, if we’re lucky, into the fall. Check out the full schedule here and take note of the promotions, which can be very fun!

Insider tips: 1.)If you want sun, choose the first-base side of the field. 2.) Don’t park in the lot on that side of the ballpark. Yes, it’s close, but there are a LOT of foul balls that end up in that lot! You’re better off in a parking garage or a block or so away on State Street. 3.) If you have a well-behaved dog or are just a dog lover, check out the Bark at the Park nights – June 4, July 1 and September 10.