If you live in the northern part of the country, you probably haven't seen much plant activity this winter. Plants die back. Animals hibernate. However, February sometimes brings unusually warm spells. 

If this is the case this year, head outside and look for any breaking leaf buds on your trees or shrubs or for initial growth for grasses or forbs. 

You can also keep an eye out for the presence (or eventual absence) of ripe fruit, especially berry-like fruits. Birds eat the fruit of certain plants throughout the winter. These seasonal life cycle events in birds and shrubs can predict changes in your environment, like "species mismatch." Here's an example. 

Species Mismatch

Warm spells can trigger birds to migrate early. If they arrive too soon, before the berries they feast on have grown, they go hungry, find other things to eat, or migrate again. This is called species mismatching, and it can disrupt the natural cycle of things and have a domino effect, impacting other plants and animals.

A few months ago, USA-NPN rolled out a free Android app that makes uploading your observations from the field a paperless snap. 

The iPhone app isn't far behind. It does the same thing as the Android app, and it's almost ready. 

Would you like to be an early user of the iPhone app & help test the beta version?

Use it. Share what you think of it. Be a part of developing this slick technology that will elevate the observing experience of thousands of folks.

To sign up to test it, please respond to this e-mail. 

#5 They're gorgeous!

#4 Fragrant

#3 Hardy 

#2 Attract amusing pollinators like butterflies

#1 Phenological information on common or cloned lilacs is exceptionally useful for researchers.  

Common or cloned lilacs are great for your garden and especially useful to researchers. They've been identified as priority species because they tell us so much about so many aspects of our changing planet.

If you already have lilacs to observe, add them to your species list in Nature's Notebook now. 

If not, order lilac plants now for spring delivery from our friends at Jung's Nursery.

Data contributed to the USA-NPN's national phenology database through Nature's Notebook are beginning to show patterns. 

Click here to find out what they're suggesting...