Spring Has Sprung

Happy first day of spring! Today is the spring (Vernal) equinox, which means days will officially start to get lighter. Today, the equinox happened at 7:46 am, which means it’s officially time to start preparing for warmer days and later sunsets. 

The equinox occurs around the same time every year, but because Earth’s rotation varies, the exact date changes. Most years, it falls on March 20, with some falling on the day before or after. The exact moment of the spring equinox also varies, but it is determined by when the sun crosses the celestial equator on its path from south to north.

Today marks the day when days begin to gain light, and it is also one of two times a year when days and nights are roughly equal in length. Because of this, it is the one day when the two hemispheres have the same length of day. This is also one of the two times annually when the sun rises due east and sets due west for everyone in the world.

In the coming weeks, be sure to look for birds overhead. The equinox (first day of spring) not only marks the start of warm weather but also the peak of bird migrations. Be sure to have your binoculars handy to keep an eye out for birds in the wetlands!