Two Sure Signs Of Spring In Nanaimo

Robin Red Breast and

New Chestnut Leaves

Growing up in Ontario one of the most welcome signs that the winter had come to an end, was the return of a red breasted Robin in your yard. However, here in the 'banana belt, the sunporch of Canada' the Robins have no need to head any farther south and can be seen during the winter.

Usually about the second week of January, or sooner if there is lots of snow, the local Robin hordes will descend en mass to feast on the holly berries on my very mature holly tree. After about two or three days of feasting there will be hardly any berries left. They will ignore the Hawthorne berries on the next tree in favour of the Holly every time. However, they will eat the Hawthorne berries if no holly berries are available.

Robin Nesting Sure Sign Of Spring

So, even though the Robins don't leave for the winter, you can still bet Spring is here when you see them hopping about with beaks full of dead grass, string and other nesting material.

The other welcome sign is when the Chestnut tree's leaves start to burst forth from their plump buds showing off the delightful 'Spring Green' that all trees are clothed with at this time of year.

The other sure sign that Spring has come to Nanaimo, is the sound of lawn mowers and weed whackers as we all come out of our winter caves to reclaim the lawns and gardens we so love.