Spotted a robin this morning in Des Moines.

Spring seems to be 2-3 weeks ahead this year, nationwide to me. Some “data” points from my south-central Kansas locale:

To me, the very first sign of spring is a string of 4-5 moist, misty, foggy days that aren’t frigid. Usually I notice this in the second-third week of February. This year it was in the first week.

I heard the first house finch of the year singing on 2/6.
I heard the first Robin of the year signing on 2/12.
I began hearing the cardinals last weekend 2/17, and now they’re definitely cranking up the volume.

Robins are now everywhere, and there’s a wide variety of duck species on the local ponds. Just this morning at one pond I was able to spot:

Canada Goose
Mallard
Gadwall
Goldeneye
Green winged teal
Coot
Canvasback
Bufflehead

Lots of happy birding to be had here. What a marvelous season!

bhouse46: "Spotted a robin this morning in Des Moines."

Had them all winter long in Mpls.