THIS MONTH IN HISTORY 

March 31, 1966 with a record high temperature of 71 degrees F
March 4, 1966 with a record low temperature of –15 degrees F

March’s Average Temperatures (in degrees Fahrenheit)

Max. 46.5 F
Min. 19.3 F
Mean 32.9 F

Source: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliGCStT.pl?coflew

ANIMAL HAPPENINGS 

Rainbow Trout are one of Colorado's most popular sport fish, the rainbow trout. During the month of March, these trout will spawn while other species, brown and brook trout spawn in fall. Believe it or not, the rainbow trout is not a native fish to Colorado and were introduced in the late 1880’s.

Prairie Dogs are giving birth to their litters right now, but don’t expect to see the young ones above ground until late March.

Golden Eagles are mating and incubating their eggs right now. Once the eggs hatch, the chicks will remain in the nest until June or July. Colorado is home to between 200-500 pair of Golden Eagles.

White Throated Swifts continue to arrive from Mexico and Central America to nest in cliff colonies. Look for them around south facing cliffs – Begin at Horse Gultch and once in the meadow loop, look towards the south facing portion of Telegraph hill.

Bluebirds are continuing their return to Colorado. Look for them along rural roads and fences.


PLANT HAPPENINGS

As Spring begins to settle in, early wildflowers are blooming on Southern facing slopes. Look for filarees, Easter daisies, spring beauties, white pasque flowers, and crocuses (urban gardens only).

And in the garden, spring bulbs such as dafodills and crocus begin to bloom. Lilac and forsithia buds begin to swell, and grasses begin to green up. Nights are still too cold to plant ever your cold tolerant crops.


ASTRONOMICAL HAPPENINGS 

Spring Equinox: On March 20th, the sun will rise exactly in the east and set exactly in the west and every where on the planet will experience 12 hours of daylight. Until the summer solstice, June 21st, the sun will rise slightly further north of east each day, and traveling slightly higher in the sky.

Constellations: March is a great time to view the Constellation Orion and the Orion Nebula (located in the “sword” portion of the constellation, just below the three stars on his belt). Orion will disappear out of the night sky in mid-April as it is a winter constellation. Look for it in the SW sky after sunset.