When does spring begin? If you use the meteorological calendar, spring begins on the first of March in the Northern Hemisphere. Most folks here in the United States, though, consider that spring begins with the vernal equinox that falls on 20 March this year.
I look for other signs that mark the beginning of the new season. Yesterday, for example, I saw a few blooming daffodils and crocuses, some of the first spring flowers to appear, and I also spotted some buds starting to open on trees.
On Tuesday, I spotted my first Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) of the season at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a sure sign that spring will soon be here.The osprey in the photo was vigorously tearing into the flesh of the fish, stopping periodically to call out to another osprey. I wasn’t sure whether the other unseen osprey was a competitor or a mate, but suspect that it was the latter. A short time later, the osprey flew away to an elevated nesting platform, where I spotted three ospreys that appeared to be sharing the freshly-caught fish, as you can see in the second image below.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
The snowdrops and crocuses and American Robins are how I know Spring is on my doorstep.
I saw my first crocuses and daffodils earlier this week. I grew up in New England and viewed American Robins as a harbinger of spring, but here in Virginia where I live, I see robins throughout the year.
Love those birds.
Me too, Dan. Many birds try to hide in the trees, but ospreys are not shy is making their presence known both visually and audibly.
This week, I have been celebrating the return of the robins and the red-winged blackbirds. Sure signs of spring in our area.
Magnificent birds!Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
I saw lots of RWBBs (redwing blackbirds). Another sign of Spring.