Ottawa

Is it spring yet? Some animals think so

The sights and sounds of spring are arriving early this year thanks to record high temperatures. Nature experts say even some animals are fooled.

Geese, bears among animals falling for record-high temperatures

A Canada Goose floats on water.
This Canada goose was spotted in Ottawa on Tuesday. Scientists say the iconic bird is among the migratory animals returning to the area a bit earlier this year. (Michel Aspirot/CBC )

The sights and sounds of spring are arriving early this year thanks to record-high temperatures. Nature experts say even some animals are fooled.

December, January and February were all balmier than normal in Ottawa and its environs. March is off to a warm start too, with three or four daily heat records set recently in some places.

That's meant the early return of a common sight: the Canada goose.

"I would say [they're] only a couple weeks early," said Chris Sharp, a population management biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Sharp said geese, like most migratory birds, take their cue from changes in temperature and daylight at their wintering spots. That could prompt them to leave earlier.

Most of the geese now in Ottawa are the Atlantic variety, which breed in the subarctic areas of northern Quebec, he said.

Geese are trying to get to those areas as soon as they can to mate while the grasses they eat are most abundant.

Sharp said the geese that do nest here have also started to arrive and if temperatures stay warm, they may mate earlier.  

"They're going to want to get started as soon as the habitat's available for them to get going," he said. "For your local area, you might see goslings earlier this year than you typically would."

A mother Canada goose stands with three babies
Scientists say if the spring-like weather holds, goslings could arrive early this year. (CBC)

If there's another cold snap, the instinct to mate will diminish, he said. Likewise, if northern regions stay cold, the Atlantic population may stick around Ottawa longer.

"It's like a traffic jam at the snow line, and instead of them all moving through in an orderly fashion they'll get all stuck here," Sharp said 

Sharp said he's also noticed mallards displaying spring-like behaviour and other birds singing as if it's high spring. 

Other species waking up early

Larger animals are feeling it too.

Late last week the province issued a warning that bears are emerging from hibernation earlier than usual. 

Michael Runtz, a naturalist and lecturer at Carleton University, said bears will typically start waking up when the temperature hits zero — but that often doesn't work out well. 

"Most food's not available until much later, so they depend heavily on what they have left over from the winter," Runtz said.

"If they haven't fattened up well in the fall then mortality is fairly high due to starvation."

A small bear next to a pool and barbecue.
Wildlife officials are warning residents to keep garbage, bird feeders and barbeques clean and secure as bears, like this one spotted in a backyard in 2022, are emerging from hibernation early this year. (Supplied by Natasha Miranda)

That means our fuzzy friends will reach for whatever they can find, including bird feeders and garbage, which Runtz said would be smart to secure if you live in an area where black bears are near. 

A study out of Colorado published in 2017 suggested black bears hibernate six fewer days for every degree increase in the average winter temperature and emerge from hibernation three-and-a-half days earlier for such an increase in spring. 

Runtz said with the warmer temperatures and lack of ice, we could also see heightened activity from animals that normally keep a lower profile in winter such as chipmunks, beavers and otters.

People in the region made sure to get out and enjoy the weather, but record warm temperatures are causing concern as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalia is a multi-platform reporter, producer and host currently working for CBC Ottawa. Previously she worked for CBC in P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador.