With the spate of recent snowstorms, it may be hard to imagine that there are signs of spring around us. But believe it or not, the first spring migrants often arrive in southern and coastal Maine by late February, and once again they are right on cue. 

These are typically the species that winter the farthest north and don’t have as far to travel. In recent years, turkey vultures have become one of the first and most easily observed spring migrants. 

On clear, late-winter days, especially days with south winds, a few turkey vultures will use their superb flying ability to make their way north into Maine. 

Last week, already a number of turkey vultures were reported from Portland and points south. Turkey vultures are generally quite easily identified by the combination of their very large wingspan, their dark plumage including silvery flight feathers visible from underneath, and most importantly, by their manner of flight: soaring with their outstretched wings held in a shallow v-shape. 

Turkey vultures were virtually unknown in Maine prior to the 1970s but now are commonly seen in the state except in winter. 

Another common, very early migrant is the red-winged blackbird, along with its cousins the common grackle and brown-headed cowbird. In all three species there are occasional individuals that persist into winter even here in Maine, usually frequenting a bird-feeding station or perhaps eating grain or other foods found around active livestock farms. 

Indeed, we found a single female red-winged blackbird at a feeding station in January on Matinicus Island during the annual Christmas Bird Count. 

But the bulk of their kind spend the winter farther south. Beginning in late February, small flocks of red-winged blackbirds, sometimes with accompanying common grackles and brown-headed cowbirds, appear suddenly at backyard feeding stations in Maine where none had been seen all winter. Often these flocks are all or mostly male birds. The males tend to arrive earlier than females, as they jockey for the best breeding territories. Those that arrive and stake claim earliest have the best chances for holding that territory and attracting mates.

It is not uncommon, too, for the first arriving red-shouldered hawks to be seen in late February. Unlike their cousins the broad-winged hawks who winter as far south as South America, red-shouldered hawks winter in small numbers regularly as far north as southern New England. 

Not an exceedingly common species in Maine at any time, an early arriving red-shouldered hawk may be easier to see in the leafless landscape of late winter then later in spring and summer when they seem to disappear into their forest homes. 

Many people assume that sightings of American robins and Eastern bluebirds are a sure sign of spring. Of course, when they set up territories and begin singing, there is no doubt that spring is upon us. 

But American robins are actually found quite regularly throughout the winter in many parts of Maine, where they are able to find abundant crab apples, berries and similar food items. 

We regularly saw a flock about 75 robins off and on throughout this past winter. American robins have a summer breeding range that extends well north just about to the edge of the Arctic, and many of these northern breeders may be the ones that spend the winter here in Maine. 

In fact, the individuals from northeastern Canada show a blacker upper back and nape and are slightly larger. American Robins of this variety, often termed “Newfoundland” robins (though they are not found only on the island of Newfoundland) are sometimes identifiable in flocks of winter robins. 

Eastern bluebirds have in recent decades become more regular winterers in small numbers, again mostly in southern and coastal Maine.

So keep your eyes open for the birds of spring; perhaps seeing them will be a pleasant reminder that spring warmer weather is on the way. Maybe it will help you enjoy what is left of winter all the more!

Dr. Jeff Wells is the senior scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative. During his time at the famed Cornell Lab of Ornithology and as the Audubon Society's national bird conservation director, Dr. Wells earned a reputation as one of the nation's leading bird experts and conservation biologists. Jeff's grandfather, the late John Chase, was a columnist for the Boothbay Register for many years. Allison Childs Wells, also formerly of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a widely published natural history writer and a senior director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Together, they have been writing and teaching people about birds for decades. The Maine natives are authors of the highly acclaimed book, “Maine's Favorite Birds.”