Seventeen swans are still seen regularly at Juanita Bay Park as of Feb. 19, but generally things have been quiet. I expect the Indian plum to unfurl its leaves shortly, and the willows and red-flowering currant buds are swelling noticeably.

Signs of Spring

My heuchera is blooming A few days ago, the junco began trilling its spring/summer song on the railing of my balcony. The Bewick’s wren is also flitting around the balcony, after staying out of sight and quiet most of the winter. It is beginning to vocalize as well.

As I brought in the paper this morning, I heard one note of the three-note call of our winter visitor, varied thrush. It sounded like a rusty hinge. It will get stronger, more musical, and more complete as the days lengthen. It reminds me of last spring when I heard an “almost song” repeated several times in early spring. After some practice runs, that song sparrow found its true voice again, after its long disuse – or limited use – for the chipping notes used in the winter. And I was finally able to identify the song and the singer. Apparently birds, like people, have to get back into voice if they haven’t sung for awhile.

Green Calendar

Juanita Bay Interpretive Walk at 1 p.m. Meet a volunteer naturalist at the kiosk next to the parking lot for an early spring walk. No pre-registration required.

March 6

Bird walk, Marymoor Park. Meet in parking lot D at 9 a.m. No pre-registration required. Visit www.eastsideaudubon.org.

March 7

Green Kirkland Work party from 9 a.m. to noon at Cotton Hill Park, 110th Ave. N.E. and Northeast 98th St., Kirkland.

Birdloop Trail work party from 9 a.m. to noon at Marymoor Park. Meet at parking lot G. Voucher available for workers to cover the $1 parking fee at this King County Park. Participants work on trail, kiosks, removal of invasive plants, and replanting of native plants.Visit www.eastsideaudubon.org.

March 11

Sustainable Futures Book Club meets at 7p.m., Redmond Regional Library. Howe, Rob: The Transition Handbook: from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience.

March 12

Sustainable Kirkland Community meets. This group is planning projects to “green” Kirkland events, and assist with bicycling events in Kirkland. There is also emerging interest in urban gardening. For more information, visit www.sustainablekirkland.org.