Spring’s Arrival in Germany: Nature Awakens After Wintry Interlude
The long period of dreary rain has finally come to an end, thanks to a meteorological savior named Finja. While the remnants of the wet weather linger in the form of puddles and fog, a faint whisper of spring is already in the air.
Despite the lingering chill, signs of nature’s renewal are gradually emerging, lured out of their winter slumber by the recent milder temperatures.
Flora: Early Bloomers Emerge
"The natural world is still relatively quiet overall," notes Janice Pahl, a nature and environmental information officer at the Naturschutzbund (NABU) Germany. However, with the promise of warmer days ahead, that could soon change.
While plant diversity is still limited, a few hardy species are already flaunting their blooms. Daisies and snowdrops, well-adapted to the cold, are now in abundance. In Stuttgart’s Schlossgarten, the first crocuses are making an appearance, accompanied by a sprinkling of March violets. On the Stromberg, the ill-scented hellebore is spreading its pungent fragrance to attract bumblebees.
Another native plant, the hazel, has already burst into full bloom. "While its pollen may cause sneezing in allergy sufferers, the hazel is crucial for many butterfly caterpillars, such as the green leaf," explains Sabrina Essel, a NABU expert. The first hazel blossoms were reported in the Upper Rhine region a month ago, according to the German Weather Service. In higher elevations, such as the Swabian Alb, the blooming is only just beginning.
Long-term observations reveal a clear trend: "Early bloomers are starting to blossom significantly earlier than in the 1990s," says Miriam Plappert, a nature conservation officer at the BUND. "And the recent snowfall has not harmed them at all," adds Plappert. "They have evolved with frost protection mechanisms."
Fauna: A Symphony of Bird Calls
Around birdhouses, starlings are performing their courtship displays, while coal tits, robins, and tawny owls can be heard adding their voices to the avian chorus, says NABU ornithologist Stefan Bosch.
The bare branches make it easier to spot birds at this time of year. Woodpeckers, for instance, are more visible since the trees have not yet leafed out, observes Alexandra Ickes, a species protection expert for NABU in the southwest. "This makes getting started with birdwatching and identifying their calls much easier. For those who need help, tips, or reminders, a wealth of resources is available online."
Wildlife: Stirring from Their Slumber
While the first signs of activity are evident, with hedgehogs occasionally waking from hibernation and insects venturing out, "it’s still a bit too cold for much activity," says Pahl. Most migratory birds, such as swallows, won’t arrive back until March, when the breeding season begins. The mass flights of wild and honeybees are also yet to come.
Storks: Early Arrivals from the South
Storks have been spotted in the fields since late January, having overwintered in landfills in Spain or Morocco. This year, their arrival was particularly early: "The storks took advantage of the warm westerly currents to fly back to their breeding grounds," says NABU specialist Stefan Eisenbarth. "In some cases, they reached their nests eight to ten days earlier than usual." In Freiburg, among other places, they are already settling into their old nests.
Not all storks, however, migrate southward for the winter. "This is an increasing phenomenon," says Plappert. "The Upper Rhine region is a hotspot for storks." However, not all have returned yet: the main migration period extends into mid-March.
Amphibians: Road Closures for a Safe Journey
In the Rhine Valley and the traditionally warmer Lake Constance region, some roads have already been closed to protect amphibians such as toads, frogs, newts, and salamanders as they emerge from hibernation and embark on their nocturnal journeys to their breeding waters. Their paths often lead across roads, which can quickly become death traps. Every year, thousands of amphibians perish on the roads.
According to the BUND, the amphibian migration has not yet begun in earnest. "Temperatures are still too low, and many bodies of water are still frozen, at least at night," says Plappert. "It’s normal and even beneficial for the animals not to be migrating yet. The recent snow and frost would make it more difficult for them to move around and leave them vulnerable to predators."
"The migration usually starts towards the end of February or the beginning of March," says Plappert. "The animals emerge from hibernation when temperatures remain above five degrees Celsius for a few days, even at night."
