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Hello Spring

Why spring is so important to the natural world

From mating to migration, the passage of spring marks heralds many great moments across species
Connel Bradwell · Connel Bradwell ·

Throughout the last month, we have been watching Canada's spring unfold across the country and you have been sharing your spring with us using #HelloSpringCBC. Here are just some of the things our wildlife has been up to this spring!

 Jimmy MacDonald captured this stunning footage of lekking grouse!

This is lekking, and for grouse, it is the only way to find a mate. If you are a sharp-tailed grouse you have to show off by waving that fluffy white tail, flashing those bright purple air sacs whilst shuffle dancing with your wings outstretched! 

Lekking takes place on the open grasslands where hundreds of grouse gather, performing the same moves repeatedly. The females watch from the sidelines, picking out a worthy mate. This strategy may seem like a lot of effort, but it is highly effective. The healthier males lek the longest and go on to mate, passing on the healthiest genes to the next generation.

 A. Michael Bezener recorded this singing yellow-breasted chat

While you might need to go to a specific place to see these displays; another mating ritual is happening right outside your door and you might be noticing it more this year, it is birdsong. Bird songs can be a wonderful sign of spring, but in the bird world, it is serious stuff. 

So, what are they doing when they sing? Like the grouse, they are showing off! Whether it is a robin, warbler or a yellow-breasted chat; they are singing for as long as possible to show the females how fit they are, inviting them to their territory and warning rival males to back off!

While you might need to go to a specific place to see these displays; another mating ritual is happening right outside your door and you might be noticing it more this year, it is birdsong. Bird songs can be a wonderful sign of spring, but in the bird world, it is serious stuff. 

So, what are they doing when they sing? Like the grouse, they are showing off! Whether it is a robin, warbler or a yellow-breasted chat; they are singing for as long as possible to show the females how fit they are, inviting them to their territory and warning rival males to back off!

Travelling home

The climate in Canada means that many species must move south to avoid our long and cold winter. But as spring brings warmer, milder weather, these species return home; sometimes travelling thousands of kilometres to get here!

Warblers are a famous example of migratory birds that you may see near you. This beautiful Cape May warbler has travelled from southern Florida and the Caribbean to breed in Canada's eastern and boreal forests. 

Ilana Block shared this Cape May warbler in the spring blossom.

Cliff swallows are another amazing migratory species, they can be seen in almost every province and territory, returning to nest in large groups and building intricate mud nests that cling to vertical walls.

Gary Bajus captured this cliff swallow in Manitoba.

Waking up from hibernation

Some of Canada's wildlife spends the winter sound asleep! In spring it is time to wake up and emerge from their hibernation!

Painted turtles are a fantastic example of this! Most adult painted turtles will spend the winter hibernating in mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes. As the temperature warms up and the ice begins to melt, painted turtles leave the mud and start their courtship, you can often see them basking on logs like this one!

@rock_321 spotted this painted turtle in Grand Forks, B.C.

Many people across the country have been seeing black bears as they emerge from their dens. Black bears can lose 30 per cent of their body weight during the winter, so spring is an important time to gain weight. Female black bears are also raising their cubs, who were born during the winter months.

Caley Brown sent in this lovely black bear.

Flowering

Canada is home to approximately 4,000 flowering plants; our vast landscapes, diverse regions and ecosystems provide habitat for a huge variety of species. The wide array of flowering plants mean that Canadians can enjoy different species flowering throughout the spring season! 

Wild/Prairie crocus is one of the earliest wildflowers to poke up out of the frozen ground. This wonderful photo was taken in Whitehorse, Yukon by Colleen Parker where these crocuses flower as early as April. 

Camas is a flowering plant found throughout Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in B.C. It grows within one of the endangered ecosystems in Canada, Garry Oak meadow.

@curtis_r_photo captured this camas photo in Nanaimo, B.C.

Having cute babies 

One of the most exciting aspects of spring is all the adorable animal babies! These youngsters have a lot to learn in a small time frame; their spring is packed full of new experiences and adventures, which is not only fascinating to watch but also so much fun!

This baby great horned owl is still looking a little fluffy! Young owls are almost fully feathered and able to manage short flights at around eight weeks old. However, they will remain largely dependent on their parents for food during most of the summer. 

Greg Klein spotted this lovely owl in the forest in B.C.
This adorable red fox cub was spotted in Manitoba. Red foxes are found across the country, in both rural and urban areas. They can have up to ten cubs, these cubs will start learning how to hunt and survive in the wild — while getting up to some mischief in the process!

What has spring looked like where you are?