It is impossible to say unequivocally which birds are the first to arrive from the south. The fact is that rooks, and swallows, and ducks, and starlings, and, of course, larks are considered the messengers of spring. It's just that in different years, some of them arrive at their homeland a little earlier, and some a little later. What it depends on is still unclear.
Instructions
Step 1
Rooks.
These birds are often confused with crows. Indeed, they are very similar to each other, since both types of birds have a rather formidable stern appearance. Their most important difference is the wintering place: crows are sedentary birds wintering in their homeland, and rooks are migratory birds, while away the winter time in the south. People at all times regarded the return of rooks from the south as a sign of the beginning of spring and warmth. Rooks always bring good news - the news of the end of winter, for which they have a reputation as folk favorites. People try to feed the good messengers and praise them for the spring mood that they carry on their tails.
Step 2
Swallows.
These are one more "early birds", marking with their appearance the retreat of frost and the approach of spring. Swallows are called the first messengers of spring; it is with these birds that many of these or those folk signs are associated. For example, if the swallows fly low, then rain is expected, if the swallows settle near the window, then good people live in the house.
Step 3
Larks.
Quite often, larks also become birds-pioneers of the warm season. The fact is that they do not fly too far from their nesting sites, so they are among the very first to return to their native land. The mass arrival of these birds begins even before the snow completely melts, i.e. in the beginning of March. The males are the first to arrive at their homeland, since they play the role of scouts. It is the larks that occupy the first thawed patches, warmed by the sun. Birds gather on them in whole groups and bask in the spring sun. A little later, females of larks arrive in their native lands and begin to look for places convenient for nesting.
Step 4
Starlings.
These birds, like larks, return to their nesting sites very early - when there is still snow in the fields. Ornithologists recorded the fact when the first starlings flew home in the second half of February. However, most of these birds return home by the end of March. As in the case of larks, in starlings, males arrive first, and then females.
Step 5
Ducks.
These water birds return home in early April. Of course, swallows, rooks, larks and starlings already have time to fly home at this time, but this does not prevent ducks from being one of the “earliest birds” of the year. Every spring, many people in the countryside look forward to the arrival of ducks and geese. They also have a corresponding sign, which always and at all times works: the ducks return - spring has come!
