Spring Is Waiting Just Outside Your Doorstep!
At the Anacostia Watershed Society, we are firm believers that you don’t need to travel far or have special equipment to enjoy the outdoors. During these unusual and challenging times, this belief is more important than ever. Although you may not be able to spend time outdoors like you usually do (walking, picnicking, running, fishing, hiking, barbequing, etc.), there is still plenty to enjoy from your back porch, front stoop, or bedroom window that can provide a bit of wonder and joy.
Thankfully, this is the time of year when so much is happening in the natural world! It seems like green spaces of all shapes and sizes are teeming with life. And we mean it when we say all shapes and sizes. You don’t have to live next to a park or be able to take a hike to appreciate what’s going on out there. Don’t overlook that strip of plants growing next to the sidewalk in front of your house, the squirrels you see hopping back and forth in the trees between your apartment building and the next, or the birds you see strutting around in the parking lot at the grocery store – there really is something happening everywhere right now.
While we are saddened that we can’t take you on a boat tour, teach you how to canoe, or walk with you on the Riverwalk Trail this spring, we’re excited to share with you what we are seeing, hearing, and observing in our own watershed neighborhoods. Click through the photos in the gallery to learn more.
Be sure to share with us what you’ve been observing on social media using the hashtag #AnacostiaRiverStrong - we can’t wait to see what you are seeing!
- Mourning doves - These common birds can be heard cooing in the early morning hours. DYK they always lay eggs in groups of two?? Mourning doves - These common birds can be heard cooing in the early morning hours. DYK they always lay eggs in groups of two??
- American robins - Seeing robins hopping around in the grass in search of worms and insects is a sure sign of spring - it means the ground has finally thawed! American robins - Seeing robins hopping around in the grass in search of worms and insects is a sure sign of spring - it means the ground has finally thawed!
- Wood ducks - We know - wood ducks seem like an usual candidate for wildlife you can see in your neighborhood. But we found these two beautiful birds swimming around in a stormdrain pond next to a Metro stop, so you never know! Wood ducks - We know - wood ducks seem like an usual candidate for wildlife you can see in your neighborhood. But we found these two beautiful birds swimming around in a stormdrain pond next to a Metro stop, so you never know!
- Eastern gray squirrels - Squirrels are busy at this time of year digging up all of the nuts they buried all winter long. If you see small, shallow holes dug up around your neighborhood, you now know who's responsible! Eastern gray squirrels - Squirrels are busy at this time of year digging up all of the nuts they buried all winter long. If you see small, shallow holes dug up around your neighborhood, you now know who's responsible!
- Woodpeckers - At this time of year, woodpeckers can be heard drumming all day long. They do peck on trees and telephone poles to find food and excavate nests, but males also drum to announce their territory. This Northern flicker drummed on top of this transformer all morning long. Woodpeckers - At this time of year, woodpeckers can be heard drumming all day long. They do peck on trees and telephone poles to find food and excavate nests, but males also drum to announce their territory. This Northern flicker drummed on top of this transformer all morning long.
- Chickweeds - If you've spotted small white flowers blooming in grassy areas, chances are you've found chickweed! There are many varieties and most are non-native. Chickweeds - If you've spotted small white flowers blooming in grassy areas, chances are you've found chickweed! There are many varieties and most are non-native.
- Speedwells - Like chickweeds, speedwells are non-native flowers that are common in grassy areas. They are frequently eaten by rabbits! Speedwells - Like chickweeds, speedwells are non-native flowers that are common in grassy areas. They are frequently eaten by rabbits!
- Roadside pennycress - Roadside pennycress seems to be everywhere these days and can be found just where it's name would have you suspect it to be. Another non-native, there are many varieties of pennycress that all have round, flat seeds. Roadside pennycress - Roadside pennycress seems to be everywhere these days and can be found just where it's name would have you suspect it to be. Another non-native, there are many varieties of pennycress that all have round, flat seeds.
- Northern cardinals - Northern cardinals are a treat to see at any time of year! Right now they are busy constructing nests and beginning to care for eggs and young. Northern cardinals - Northern cardinals are a treat to see at any time of year! Right now they are busy constructing nests and beginning to care for eggs and young.
- Spring beauties - Spring beauties are a native wildflower commonly found in the forest, but really they can be found in shady spots in more urban areas as well. They are considered ephemeral - the blossoms and leaves are only out for a short period of time! Spring beauties - Spring beauties are a native wildflower commonly found in the forest, but really they can be found in shady spots in more urban areas as well. They are considered ephemeral - the blossoms and leaves are only out for a short period of time!
- Eastern redbuds - Here's an up-close shot of those redbud blossoms! For any gardeners out there, redbud blossoms should remind you of pea blossoms! Like peas, redbuds are can fix nitrogen in the soil! Eastern redbuds - Here's an up-close shot of those redbud blossoms! For any gardeners out there, redbud blossoms should remind you of pea blossoms! Like peas, redbuds are can fix nitrogen in the soil!
- Cherries! - The Tidal Basin isn't the only place to see cherry blossoms this spring. Ornamental varieties of cherries are often used in landscaping and can be seen all over the watershed. The native black cherry should also be blooming soon! Cherries! - The Tidal Basin isn't the only place to see cherry blossoms this spring. Ornamental varieties of cherries are often used in landscaping and can be seen all over the watershed. The native black cherry should also be blooming soon!
- Grape hyacinth - Another small, non-native flower that likes sunny, grassy spots - grape hyacinth seems to be popping up everywhere these past few weeks. Grape hyacinth - Another small, non-native flower that likes sunny, grassy spots - grape hyacinth seems to be popping up everywhere these past few weeks.
- Spring peepers - Most of us won't get the opportunity to see a spring peeper chirping away; but many of us may have heard them. They gather together in the thousands to breed, and their calls can be heard from quite a distance - sometimes even from indoors! Spring peepers - Most of us won't get the opportunity to see a spring peeper chirping away; but many of us may have heard them. They gather together in the thousands to breed, and their calls can be heard from quite a distance - sometimes even from indoors!
- Dandelions and deadnettles - Like chickweeds and speedwells, dandelions and purple deadnettle are common, non-native plants of sunny, grassy areas. These two were brought here from Europe and both can be eaten! Dandelions and deadnettles - Like chickweeds and speedwells, dandelions and purple deadnettle are common, non-native plants of sunny, grassy areas. These two were brought here from Europe and both can be eaten!
- Eastern redbuds - Eastern redbuds are a small, native tree that are commonly used in landscaping because of their beautiful deep pink buds. Keep an eye out for them in your neighborhood. Eastern redbuds - Eastern redbuds are a small, native tree that are commonly used in landscaping because of their beautiful deep pink buds. Keep an eye out for them in your neighborhood.
- Violets - There are many different species of violet, most of them native to our area. They are a food source for a variety of wildlife, including rabbits, deer, and fritillary butterfly caterpillars! Violets - There are many different species of violet, most of them native to our area. They are a food source for a variety of wildlife, including rabbits, deer, and fritillary butterfly caterpillars!
- Tulip trees - Tulip trees are some of the first trees to "leaf out" in the watershed, and we've noticed they've begun unfurling their bright green leaves in just the last few days. This photo shows the flower (not open quite yet) that gives this tree its name. Tulip trees - Tulip trees are some of the first trees to "leaf out" in the watershed, and we've noticed they've begun unfurling their bright green leaves in just the last few days. This photo shows the flower (not open quite yet) that gives this tree its name.
- Sweetgums - Sweetgums are another tree that is early to leaf out. In this photo, you can see the pollen as well as the young leaves. Sweetgums - Sweetgums are another tree that is early to leaf out. In this photo, you can see the pollen as well as the young leaves.
- Red maples - Red maples are some of the first trees to bloom in the watershed. Now that the flowers have been pollinated, most red maples have their "helicopter" seeds, which will be followed shortly by leaves. Red maples - Red maples are some of the first trees to bloom in the watershed. Now that the flowers have been pollinated, most red maples have their "helicopter" seeds, which will be followed shortly by leaves.
- House sparrows - House sparrows are a common, non-native bird in our area. Their calls can be heard all day long and they can be seen hopping around almost everywhere. We caught this male bringing some building material back to its nest! House sparrows - House sparrows are a common, non-native bird in our area. Their calls can be heard all day long and they can be seen hopping around almost everywhere. We caught this male bringing some building material back to its nest!
- More cherries! - So beautiful! No need to crowd the Tidal Basin - they are everywhere! More cherries! - So beautiful! No need to crowd the Tidal Basin - they are everywhere!
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