Piping plovers arrived in Maine on March 8, the earliest on record, signaling an early spring.

Early signs of spring are appearing across Maine in 2026, with piping plovers arriving at Ogunquit Beach on March 8—the earliest recorded—prompting dog owners to keep pets leashed. American woodcocks were first spotted on March 9 in York County, known for their flight displays and calls. Groundhogs emerged at Gilsland Farm on March 1, followed by rapid snowmelt, while gray squirrels are building nests despite deterrents. Early frog calls may already be heard, and free wildlife events like “Timberdoodle Thursdays” begin March 19.