Spring has sprung! Soon, when we step outside of our doors, many will be greeted with views of budding trees, pops of colorful flowers, bird song, baby creatures, and fresh bits of life bursting forth from brown leaf litter and previously snow-covered ground.
Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and this is reflected in the animals most commonly associated with the season. From the first signs of new life in the form of baby animals to the return of migratory birds, it's a time of energy and excitement in the natural world.
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Bees
Enticed by blooming flowers, these important insects are one of the first pollinators to become active in the spring.
Busy bees play a crucial role in the ecosystem, helping to pollinate flowers and crops ensuring good harvests later in the year. With warmer temps, there is new availability of nectar and pollen to stimulate the queen honey bees to begin a new brood. By late spring, there will be a swarm of new bees buzzing around our backyards.
Birds
Spring is the time when migratory birds return from their winter habitats to breed and build nests.
Their melodic return is often an eagerly anticipated event. With warm weather and longer days triggering rapid plant growth, food becomes bountiful in spring and lures birds back to from their winter homes. Backyard birds like Robins, blue jays, and cardinals are just a few of the many birds that can be seen and heard in gardens and parks as they flit about, looking for food and mates and constructing nests.
Bunnies
Spring gives rise to many animals giving birth to their young, and the sight of newborn animals is one of the most recognizable signals of the season.
Rabbits are commonly viewed as symbols of fertility and new life and are iconic symbols of Easter and springtime. From fluffy bunnies and lambs to downy ducks and chicks, baby animals are a sign of new beginnings.
Butterflies
Change is in the air! The switching of seasons from winter to spring is a wonderful time for butterfly watching as many species are starting to emerge from their winter dormancy or migrate to their familiar breeding grounds.
The dazzling colors and graceful movements of these amazing insects are a joy to behold. During spring, migrating butterflies or those that have completed their life cycle and are emerging from a chrysalises can be seen fluttering around and feeding on nectar and searching for a mate. The sight of Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Red Admirals, Painted Ladies and other butterflies is a promising omen of warmer weather and summer days on the way.
Fawns
Fawns are born in the beginning months of spring, and these adorable creatures will be playing and frolicking in fields and meadows.
Fawns are the offspring of deer, and they are born with a white spotted coat that helps them camouflage amongst dappled light and vegetation. As they grow and mature, they will soon shed this coat and take on a more familiar brown coloring of adult deer. If you come across a solitary fawn, you may think that it has been abandoned, but this is not usually the case; white-tailed deer are known for their tendency to hide their young. During the initial two to three weeks of a fawn's life, the mother will conceal it among vegetation while she feeds. Due to the distinctive spotted coat and lack of noticeable scent, which effectively hides them from potential predators in the wild, fawns have a high likelihood of survival. Even though these adorable fawns may seem helpless, wildlife experts will encourage you to leave unattended fawns alone. If you encounter a solitary fawn that is hidden, still, and quiet, rest assured that its mother is out eating and gaining energy while the fawn's camouflage ensures its safety. The nourished mother will soon return to care for her young.
Frogs and Toads
Let the show begin! Spring is the time for frogs and toads to put on lovely concerts to woo potential mates.
From the deep, throaty croak of the bullfrog to the high-pitched peep of the peeper, the mating calls of these amphibians are an unmistakable part of the spring soundtrack. Soon the puddles and still water edges will be filled with slippery gelatinous eggs and then wriggling tadpoles. The amphibian transformation from tadpole to frog is an amazing life cycle phenomenon to witness!
Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, and the animals of spring are a beautiful reminder of the wonders of nature and the cyclical nature of life.
Whether it's the chirping of birds, the buzzing of bees, the playful antics of lambs, or the soft, furry appearance of rabbits, these creatures embody the joy and excitement of the season and bring with them a sense of wonder and renewal. There’s so much happening right outside your doorstep! Step outside to enjoy the birds singing or watch the busy bees collecting pollen, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and magic of spring and the animals that represent it.
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*Read more about these amazing creatures and many more on our animal information station, SafariPedia !
*Click HERE for a FREE Download Printable: Animals of Spring Sort
