It’s the beginning of Spring, so let’s take a look at the March Observations at the Cove…
JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE| JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
March Flora…
The Azaleas and Camellias are finishing up their bloom, while Carolina Yellow Jasmine, Dogwoods, and Redbuds quickly follow. Mullein is seen blooming along the roadsides as is Spiderwort and most of our perennials are now starting to bloom in the garden. Most trees are leaving out and look great with the newer, fresh green leaves.
March Fauna…
At dawn and evening, the resident Sand Hill Cranescall each day throughout the pond. The larger group of Cranes was due to additional migratory cranes and they left at the beginning of March. Hearing numerous owls. Also, several water birds and ducks are present on the pond. Hemingway, our resident Osprey is back fishing again. The first Whip-poor-Will was heard around March 5th (2017). Starting to notice many ticks this month (2017). The year’s first noticeable mosquitos are here around sunset. Very enjoyable on the porch. Have seen a few more deer than in the past couple of months. Lubbers appeared by mid-March 2017. Also, many more banded water snakes have been seen, both larger and babies( 2017 ). Bullfrogs were heard in the evening.
March Celestial Observations…
Orion is visible overhead after sunset. At sunset, Venus is bright in the western sky. In the early morning, Scorpio is high in the southern sky with Jupiter bright in front of it.
The March 2nd Full moon is the Worm Moon because this was the time of year when the ground would begin to soften and the earthworms would reappear.
March 20 – March Equinox. The March equinox occurs at 16:15 UTC. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
March 31 – Full Moon, Blue Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 12:37 UTC. Since this is the second full moon in the same month, it is sometimes referred to as a blue moon. This year is particularly unique in that January and March both contain two full moons while February has no full moon.
Scorpio stretches out across the pre-dawn Southern sky in March.
