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   February, though the shortest month, always seems the longest.  There are no really good hunting seasons open and fishing ranges from going out on poor quality ice to freezing to death on the good ice.  Bird watching is not that great, and hiking is really lousy. Hiking for the sake of hiking can be poor entertainment when the weather is good. Hiking when there is ice, snow, or mud on the ground does not add to the enjoyment. It makes me glad; March has almost arrived.    

   There is hope of spring when we turn the calendar over to March.                                  Nature also provides clues to spring being just around the corner. In the past few days, I have seen several gobblers in full strut.  They are practicing for the upcoming mating ritual or perhaps preparing for spring gobbler season. The geese have moved back to the pond. As soon as the ice clears, migrating geese will stop for a day or two, but the ones we saw are the resident geese. They are swimming in pairs and already defending their territory.  One pair is defending all comers from the island, as they have since the island was built. 

   The surest sign of spring is the bluebirds looking for the best nesting spot. With their bright blue plumage, they flit from one spot to the next, making sure no other bird has gotten the perfect nest. They check out the houses I have placed in strategic locations, where they will eventually stop and nest. Before that, they have to check the holes in the posts that anchor the dock, the knot in the corner-post that is not big enough to get into, and the chimney to the stove in the cabin. The chimney used to be a real problem. The stove is not used frequently in the spring, so to a bluebird, the chimney pipe appeared to be only a nice dark hole. Several times we came to the cabin in the spring to hear scratching sounds coming from the wood stove. The first few times this happened, we thought mice had moved into the stove. I would swing open the door, ready to club a rodent, only to be greeted by a really black bluebird.  Though relieved to be released from the dark confines of the stove, they did not seem to be immediately assured a large person brandishing a steel poker was looking out for their best interest. While my wife covered her face and held open the door to the cabin, I chased the dirty bird around in circles until he found his way out. After about the third time of doing this, I decided the chimney needed to be made bluebird proof.

   I was not too thrilled with the idea of crawling up on the roof to prevent further intrusions, but we do what we have to do.  Equipped with fencing pliers and chicken wire, I scaled the side of the cabin and made my way up the roof. Slipping and sliding my way to the chimney, I discovered from my lofty perch, the wind was blowing much more briskly than on the ground, and I could see several bluebirds watching as I ruined what they thought was the best nesting site on the farm. As my fingers became numb from the cold wind and I fought to stay astraddle the roof peak, I knew I was protecting a bunch of really pretty little birds that do not have a lot of sense. I decided they did not have to do anything but look good. It is still our job to do what we can to protect them, even if it is from themselves. Bluebirds are a sign of spring and spring brings happiness after a long winter.

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