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Susquehanna Greenway Partnership: First Signs of Spring on the Susquehanna Greenway

By Darian Jones

This article first appeared on the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership website with many more photos.

Springtime in Pennsylvania is in the air! As the days grow longer and the weather warms, nature is starting to wake up all around us.

Sunlight sparkles on the river, melting the last bits of ice, while the fresh scent of damp earth drifts up from dew-soaked grass.

Birds return to fill the air with their cheerful calls, and the Susquehanna Greenway is teeming with the first signs of spring.

Flora

Spring brings a fleeting display of wildflowers to the Susquehanna Greenway.

The Yellow Trout Lily, named for its speckled leaves, is a rare find—only 0.5% of a given colony will bloom.

Look for its recurved yellow petals in moist woodlands from mid-April to mid-May. On the Greenway, Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve is a great place to look for these and other springtime blooms.

Another early bloomer, Spring Beauty, carpets hillsides with delicate, pink-veined petals that close at night and sometimes on overcast days.

Flowering Dogwood adds splashes of pink and white to parks, while Mayapples form leafy clusters, hiding their brief blossoms beneath umbrella-like foliage. They are a favorite treat for fawns, squirrels, and Box Turtles!

Bloodroot, one of the first wildflowers to emerge, unfurls white petals around a yellow center from a leaf-wrapped bud. Handle with care, as its red sap can cause skin irritation.

Catch these spring ephemerals while they last—before the forest canopy fills in and they fade until next year.

Fauna

Spring in Pennsylvania also brings migration, rebirth, and awakening wildlife.

Canada Geese return in their familiar V-formations from February to April, nesting near water and farm fields.

Bald Eagles also begin nesting, laying their eggs in late winter to early spring, and by March, many are incubating or even hatching young.

This time of year, American Black Bears emerge from hibernation, with sows bringing their cubs out in March or April.

Look for signs of their presence as you explore trails this season—claw marks, bite marks, and rubbed trees.

If you cross paths, be sure to keep your distance and do not get between a mama bear and her cubs.

Eastern Box Turtles burrow underground through winter, emerging in early spring to bask at forest edges and forage. Nesting females dig holes in loose soil to lay eggs.

Morning hikers may be lucky to encounter one as they are more active earlier in the day.

Painted Turtles and Snapping Turtles also begin to emerge from the mud and sun themselves on logs in ponds and streams in the watershed.

Then, there are the critters who make up the iconic chorus of the season.

Spring Peepers begin their distinctive high-pitched calls from wetlands and ponds as soon as temperatures rise above freezing.

Many springtime birds also make their return. Red-Winged Blackbirds are one of the earliest migratory birds to be seen and their distinctive ‘trilling’ song is a sure sign of spring.

Other birds, like the Eastern Bluebird and American Robin, also become more active and join in with their unique calls.

Pollinators

The coming of Spring brings a flurry of pollinators, each playing a crucial role in the ecosystem.

From hummingbirds to bumblebees and butterflies, these creatures help plants thrive while adding vibrant life to gardens, forests, and riverbanks.

The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird migrates up to 500 miles to Pennsylvania, feeding on nectar and insects while hovering with rapid wingbeats.

Their love for bright flowers makes them frequent visitors to gardens and parks—hang a red or orange feeder to attract them!

The Eastern Bumblebee plays a vital role in pollination, using “buzz pollination” to shake free hidden pollen.

Queens emerge in spring to start new colonies, foraging for nectar and pollen. Recognize them by their large, fuzzy bodies and pale-yellow hairs.

The smaller, more slender Honeybee will also be out and about!

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, known for its yellow and black stripes, thrives in Pennsylvania’s forests and gardens.

Caterpillars favor Tulip trees and Wild Black Cherry, while adults sip nectar from red and pink flowers or gather at muddy puddles for water and nutrients.

Fungi

Spring’s damp, warm conditions create the perfect environment for mushrooms, making foraging a favorite pastime in central Pennsylvania.

One of the most prized finds is the Morel Mushroom—cone-shaped, spongy, and packed with a rich, nutty flavor perfect for cooking.

They thrive in nutrient-rich soil near Ash, Sycamore, Elm, and Tulip trees.

Keep an eye out on your spring hikes, especially in late March!

Another wild mushroom is the Oyster Mushroom. Though it’s grown commercially, you can spot these light brown, clam-shaped fungi on decaying logs throughout the Susquehanna Greenway.

They’re full of vitamins and minerals—but you’ll be competing with slugs and beetles for the best ones!

[Note: This information is for educational purposes only. Never attempt to eat any wild mushrooms without consulting an expert.]

By The Riverside

As March and April melt away winter’s ice and snow, the Susquehanna River swells with higher, faster-moving water—often leading to seasonal flooding.

Spring rains add to the rising levels, making it essential to check conditions before any kind of on-water adventure.

Warmer, damp weather also means animals are on the move, leaving tracks in muddy riverbanks and fields.

White-Tailed Deer, Raccoon, Beaver, Fox, Black Bear, and more can often be found. Spotting and identifying them is a fun way to connect with nature.

On the West Branch you might find large Elk impressions, while those on the Lower Susquehanna might spot three-pronged tracks of an Egret or a Heron in shallow water.

Spring also stirs life beneath the water. Fish like Shad, Herring, and Eel migrate from the ocean into the Susquehanna River to spawn. Anglers, get your gear ready—fishing season is just around the corner!

Get Out On The Greenway

Spring breathes new life into the Susquehanna Greenway—its trails, waterways, and communities buzzing with nature’s rhythm.

Whether you’re just starting to explore, eager to learn, or ready to jump in, there’s so much to discover right in your own backyard.

Let the river be your guide!

[Click Here for the online version with many more photos.]

[Click Here to Explore the Greenway]

Darian Jones is the Communications & Outreach AmeriCorps Assistant for the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.

A recent graduate of Commonwealth University Bloomsburg, her work with SGP is focused on promoting trails and communities within our vibrant and connected Susquehanna Greenway, so that the public can enjoy opportunities to engage with the outdoors.

Darian can be reached at djones@susquehannagreenway.org.

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