I’m sure some of the toms are beginning to gobble now, especially after Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s warm temperatures, but I hadn’t heard one yet and I always look forward to hearing the first one of the year
Warm temperatures set a few records last week and Mary and I took full advantage of the unseasonably mild weather to go for several morning and afternoon walks to look for early signs of spring. Most of our outings were to overgrown fields and along swamps, streams and small ponds.
In one spot we found pussy willows already budded out and Mary cut a small bouquet for the table. We also saw large flocks of red-winged black birds perched in the trees along the edge of a brook and a small group of robins feeding beneath an oak tree in the middle of a field.
In some areas, during the morning, a variety of song birds were singing spring territorial melodies, while a woodpecker drummed on a dead tree to establish his territory and attract a mate. Just before sunset flocks of ducks took to the air, circling over swamps and streams before they settled in for the night. Geese were feeding in flooded farm fields and took to the air with a roar of flapping wings and honking as we approached.
We didn’t see any deer, but most every field was crisscrossed with tracks of all sizes. I expected to see turkey tracks in some of the spots, but there were none. We did see some flocks of turkeys in our travels, mostly on residential lawns feeding under the bird feeders. Soon the flocks will begin to break up, though, as the birds begin to spread out and travel to establish their breeding and nesting areas.
I’m sure some of the toms are beginning to gobble now, especially after Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s warm temperatures, but I hadn’t heard one yet and I always look forward to hearing the first one of the year. To my surprise it was only two days after our walks when I woke in the morning to a loud gobble just a short distance from the house.
It had turned cold on Thursday with an inch or two of snow and Friday was also chilly and wet – not the best weather for turkey activity, but when I looked out the window there was a flock of 10 turkeys acting like it was the middle of spring breeding season. Eight of the birds were fully mature toms with long beards and sharp spurs, and two were jakes that were keeping their distance from the older dominant toms that were all gobbling and puffing up their feathers in full display.
Seeing that many big toms up close was quite a sight to see on a cold February morning. One of the toms was a real slammer and I used binoculars to evaluate his spurs, which looked to be at least an inch and three quarters in length and his beard was close to dragging on the ground. Mary took lots of photos, while I watched and looked forward all the more to the start of another spring turkey season.
Spring fishing classes: The Southeast Mass. Trout Unlimited Chapter will host its free Introduction to Fly Tying Classes during the month of March. Participants will learn the basics of fly-tying and have the opportunity to tie their own flies in a relaxed atmosphere.
The course is designed for beginners, although experienced tiers will benefit from the class as well. Instructors will teach everything to get you started in fly-tying. All tools and materials are provided for each class. If you have your own tools and would like to bring them, feel free to do so. Besides the basics, instructors will demonstrate how to tie several patterns of fresh and saltwater flies. Previous students are welcome. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings 7-9 p.m. March 7, 14, 21 and 28, at the East Bridgewater Council on Aging, 355 Plymouth St., East Bridgewater.
The free classes will continue through April with instruction on Fly Casting and Fishing. Besides the basics of fly-casting, instructors will share their knowledge of fish habitat, what they eat, when and how to fish for them and the proper gear to use and how to fish with it.
All the required fly-casting equipment will be provided along with handouts and instruction in fly-casting and fishing. If you have your own fly-rod outfit and would like to bring it, feel free to do so. This is a great time of year to get your casting arm into shape for spring fishing. The Southeast TU Chapter also holds some spring fishing trips and class participants are welcome to attend.
The Fly Fishing Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings April 4, 11, 18, 25, at the East Bridgewater Council on Aging, 355 Plymouth St, East Bridgewater, MA 02333. To sign up or for information on both classes, call Jim Clinton at 781-447-7371 or 617-947-0550 (cell).
Correspondent Randy Julius’ "Outdoors'' column appears on Sundays in The Enterprise.