While there is still snow on the ground in the forest under the trees, spring has really turned a corner. Migrating birds are returning to the forest. Yellowrumped warblers, grackles, tree sparrows, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, red-winged blackbirds…they all reappeared in the last few weeks. These are all birds that at least partially rely on insects for food, so they return as the insects reappear. But, they are also birds, which can survive without insects, so they can weather insect free cold snaps.
Our later arrivals, like many of the other warblers, are even more dependent on insects and don’t take the risk of being in the north this early. The Superior National Forest is recognized as a globally important bird area, and is home for at least part of the year to over 200 species of birds.
This large number of species is due to the diversity of habitat within the Forest. We have stands of white and red pine, maple woodlands, open meadows, jack pine forests, bogs, streams, and lakes. All these support different kinds of birds, making the Superior a birding hot spot in the spring.
Birds aren’t the only things flying. Some of our spring reappearances are butterflies, and on a warm day there are several types that are fluttering about in April and early May. The anglewing butterflies include the dark-colored mourning cloak, Compton’s and Milbert’s tortoiseshell, and our “punctuation” butterflies, named commas and question marks. These species all hibernate as adults during the winter and wake up and become our earliest butterflies in late March and April.
Anglewings all share a wing shape that looks ragged and torn along the edge, but in spring, they may be actually ragged and torn along the edge after weathering a brutal winter. Look for these butterflies along roads, often gathering at mud puddles in a well-named behavior called ‘puddling’. Unfortunately, this behavior often ends badly for the butterflies when a vehicle passes and they become a hood ornament. Though it may seem silly to brake for butterflies, if you see them, and it is safe to do so, slow down and let them fly off. They deserve a little respect for just surviving the sub-zero temperatures and heavy snows of this last winter.
Besides puddling butterflies, there are other larger hazards on the roads right now. Our main roads are in pretty good shape, but don’t be fooled by the shoulders. They may look nice and solid, but they aren’t. If you are going to pull off onto the shoulder, take it slow and check to see if it will support the vehicle. Watch for ‘frost boils’, where water from beneath the road creates a quicksand-like pothole.
Side roads are in poor condition right now. Snow and slush from our late snowfall are still hanging on in shady places, and roads may be soft across the entire width. Many roads that were not plowed in winter are still undrivable. Go slow, and be prepared for road conditions to change over hills and around corners. Due to the soft spring roads, there is no log hauling going on right now in either the Tofte or Gunflint Ranger Districts.
While it is wet out there now, spring fire season is coming up soon. The period between snow melt and spring green up can be a dangerous one for fires. Dry grasses and leafless brush are excellent fuels, and it doesn’t take much for a fire to get going. Right now is a good time to do some Fire Wise pruning and clean up around your house to help protect it in case of a wildfire. Burning permits are required, so if your clean up involves burning, pick up a permit and keep an eye on conditions and the fire when you burn. Make sure all fires are dead out and soaked with water when you are done. Our fire crews will be starting spring prescribed burning over the next weeks, as weather permits. Many of these planned fires are to maintain openings for wildlife, providing food and habitat for moose, woodcock, northern blue butterflies, and other species. Watch for signs and smoke along the roads near where burns are taking place. You can find locations as they become available of burns on our website or on the national Incident Information website at www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.
Lakes are still pretty solidly frozen, but starting May 1, you will need a permit issued by the Forest Service via one of our offices or a cooperator for overnight entries to the Boundary Waters. You’ll find that there are new Leave No Trace videos to watch before you pick up your permit this year, as well as a new online reservation system at www.recreation.gov.
So, while actually dropping a canoe in a lake may still be in the future, be sure to still get out in the Forest, welcome back the butterflies and birds, and join them in enjoying some of the warmth of spring.
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