There's an old folk saying in the U.S. Midwest that says "Spring will come when it snows on the robin's tail three times."
I've been sorta testing this out for the past four years, noting when I see the first robin redbreast back and then counting the snows that "stick" after that.
It seems accurate enough, on average, it's been anywhere from 2 to 4. Just saw my first robin last weekend and we're on our second snow, so it's not long now.
@Cat_LeFey This is wonderful! While it would be easy enough to chalk this up to superstition or wives tales, the birds and plants know better than us usually what's going on! I can't imagine their arrival/increase in activity wouldn't be a good harbinger of warmer days to come :)
When I lived in W. Texas it was the budding of the mesquite that foretold spring’s arrival. Only once in 30 years did I not wait and that year I had to replant it all due to frostbite.
I’m not sure about Seattle’s lore but sure do notice the song of the white crowned sparrow in early spring.
@MelodyWainscott That's cool you have your own little piece of lore! I try to find little things like this to connect me to the shifts of the seasons in the area, it's a wonderful pagan practice.
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