Forget the Equinox! Five Signs Spring is Officially Here

One can certainly define Spring as the season which starts with the upcoming Equinox, but in the Upper Midwest it's certainly likely to be a season which starts after said event. It is however also possible that Spring may come early. What are the signs that Spring has sprung and that Winter has loosed us from her frigid grip?

Here are 5 signs that Spring is officially here:
1. Male Cardinals fighting over territory and breeding rights. It's the closest thing to Bison rut I expect to see in my backyard.
2. Robins calling early in the morning to welcome in the day, as if to say "Hey we're back! Pay attention and wake up!".
3. The evening Red Wing Blackbird chorus letting us all know it's time to go home.
4. Rain. Just rain. Not freezing rain, not wintery mix, just rain. And without the promise of subsequent snowfall as temperatures drop.
5. The last of November's and December's snow has melted away to reveal grass which hasn't seen light in 4 months.

If these five signs are in fact reliable indicators that a new season in upon us, then in Wisconsin we aren't quite there yet.

Checklist so far:
1. Spotted on March 9 at 7:00 am near our Striped Sunflower Seeds.
2. Spotted on March 10 at 7:45 am in an oak tree near work. Saw 4 Robins by 9:00 am.
3. Heard on March 15 at 5:00 pm -ish. Blackbirds spotted at neighborhood pond.
4. It rained today (3/11) but they warned about the potential for snow.
5. Most of the yard is still buried. Only about 3 or 4 more inches to go in most spots.

It may not be Spring in Wisconsin yet, but we'll see which comes first: Spring or the Equinox.

What are the signs you count on to know Spring is here?