Flora & Fauna, Historic Sites, Recreation

Signs of Spring at State Parks and Historic Sites

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Longer days. Warmer temperatures. More birdsong. The signs of spring have been growing stronger in New York for weeks, and now the season has arrived. We’re proud to share some of the delights of spring with you at our parks and historic sites — here’s hoping we’ll see you out there.

Springing from the Earth

Getting out on the trail in the springtime is an exhilarating experience, as wildflowers begin to bloom, trees return to leaf, and the smells of nature fully return. If you enjoy identifying the plants, insects and animals you see on the trail, consider joining the global nonprofit iNaturalist project. You can use their app to identify flora and fauna you find, record your sightings, or find out from other users what’s been sighted nearby. Below are a few plants to look out for!

Symplocarpus foetidus, or skunk cabbage.

Eastern skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), while not pleasing to smell, is one of the first plants to start growing each year. It grows in wetlands and on moist hillsides. It has long, broad leaves, and a fascinating story.

Claytonia virginica, or spring beauty

Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica) has small (½ to ¾ inch) pink or white flowers with darker pink veins.  Each plant has an opposite pair of long narrow leaves.  These flowers also prefer moist woodland habitats.

Anemone acutiloba, or hepatica. Seen in several colors.

Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) is a member of the buttercup family.  It has ½ to 1 inch wide blue, pink, or white flowers and three lobed leaves.  Hepatica begins blooming in early spring and will continue to bloom into the summer season.  Hepatica prefers partial shade and is often found in woodland habitats.

Sanguinaria canadensis, or bloodroot

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) has white flowers with 8 to 12 petals that are approximately 1¼ inch wide. The flowers sprout on 3-to-6-inch stems through folded leaves. The deeply lobed leaves open as the plant grows. When the root of the plant is cut, it “bleeds” a reddish-orange liquid. This is what gives the plant its name. Bloodroot prefers moist soil and partial shade and is often found along the woodland edge. 

Trees are also coming into bud this time of year. Red maple and silver maple are usually among the first. Keep a sharp eye out for the seasonal signs of flowering trees like apple, dogwood, and redbud, soon to follow!

The Birds are Back in Town

If you enjoy the morning birdsong or maintain a feeder for our feathered friends, you’ve noticed increased bird activity already. Here are a few birds you’re likely to see or hear soon.

The American Robin eating its favorite meal.

American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are the classic sign of spring. When you see them, you know that warm temperatures and blue skies are soon to follow. While robins are around in the winter, their habits are different. As the weather warms, they become more vocal and more visible.

A male and female red-winged blackbird. The male bird is on the left.

Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) are among the first migratory birds to return every year. This year, they’ve already been sighted in New York State. These wetland-loving birds have a loud, distinctive call and tend to gather in large groups.

A male and female common yellowthroat. The male is on the left.

Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) are another early returner. These warblers are similar in size to the House Wren. The male has a distinctive black mask, outlined in white, which the female lacks. The Common Yellowthroat nests in wet marshy and brushy habitats.

Many more birds are on their way north. This blog post offers more birds to look and listen for when you’re out and about! For help with field identification, download the Merlin App from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or visit your local library for a field guide.

Salamanders on the Move

A male spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) on green moss

The lengthy epic migratory flights of the birds and butterflies captivate the public every spring, but the local march of the salamander gets significantly less attention.

Every spring, salamanders leave their overwintering spots in wooded upland areas to make a move towards vernal ponds. These are temporary pools created by spring rain and snow melt in lowlands and depressions in the landscape. Predators like fish and turtles can’t live in vernal pools, so they are a perfect place for salamanders to breed and lay their eggs. You can help their migrations by avoiding roadways at night and by being careful not to disturb any vernal pools you encounter.

The Sweet Taste of Spring

A line of trees with maple syrup buckets.

It’s maple time in New York State! Each year, Maple Weekends celebrates the maple industry with open houses, tours, events and tastings statewide. Maple Weekends take place on March 16 and 17 and March 23 and 24 in 2024. Several of our parks are participating and they can take you through the process from tree sap to sweet treat. Find a maple event near you.

History Springs to Life

Many of our historic sites and attractions close for the winter or reduce their hours. In the springtime, closed sites reopen, and sites with limited hours expand. Here’s a rundown of the historic sites and park attractions that are extending their hours or reopening for the season. Check with each location for exact days and operating hours.

April Reopenings and Extended Hours
Bayard Cutting Arboretum house with daffodils in bloom. Photo by Kerry Bruno.
May Reopenings and Extended Hours
An interpreter welcomes visitors to Schuyler Mansion.
Check Out These Sites Year-Round
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site.

Spring Forth…With Care

It’s the muddiest time of the year…

Spring brings with it unpredictable weather. We usually get at least one last winter blast after the equinox. Conditions on wooded or gravel trails may not be the same as what you’ve been seeing in your neighborhood. Melting snow and spring rains can make for slippery or muddy conditions. When you’re heading out, keep the following in mind:

Check trail availability before you go. Many of our trails close during the winter, and set their reopening date based on conditions. This is especially true of the trails through gorges and along escarpments. Download our Parks Explorer app or visit the page of your park before you head out.

Watch the weather. Come prepared with appropriate rain gear, moisture-wicking clothes in layers, and appropriate footwear. Check the weather before planning a trail adventure.

Stay on the trail. When you encounter deep puddles or patches of mud on the trail, it’s tempting to step off the trail and go around it. But doing so causes more wear and tear to the natural environment. Waterproof those boots and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Be aware of ticks. With a warm winter, ticks are predicted to be rampant this year. People have already reported seeing them! Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Use repellants containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Seek professional guidance on how to protect young children or animals from ticks and other insects. Learn more about tick defense.

-Written by Kate Jenkins, Public Affairs Digital Specialist

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