By Susan and Biff Andrews

I tend to think of February as the dead of winter — not exactly your go-outside-and-play weather.

It’s the time that I find myself waiting and longing for spring. I browse glossy garden magazines and imagine colorful beds of flowers and gigantic tomatoes, while the reality is remnants of un-raked leaves are blowing around my yard, and my garden is a stubbly mess.

I grow amaryllis and paper whites in pots in my living room in an attempt to hasten things along, while watching out the window for any signs of daffodils. I check my calendar often, and it assures me Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day, which means there is at least a 50/50 chance that spring is on the way.

Even though things look bad, February is really the beginning of spring’s busy social events. If you, too, are longing for spring, here are some things the Virginia Wildlife Calendar says we can think about while we wait.

Bluebirds are seeking nesting sites, so it’s time to maintain bluebird boxes. We don’t have the right habitat for bluebirds at our house, but the thought of bluebirds or even the thought of a Bluebird Day makes my heart patter a little faster.

The Historic Southside Master Naturalists have a flock of folks peeping in on nests and maintaining an entire trail of Bluebird boxes. There may be a few slots left for the training class that begins Feb. 7 if you are interested in learning about these beautiful birds.

Song sparrows, cardinals and doves are singing their spring songs. Doves are courting; robins, redwings and grackles are congregating, and wood ducks are looking to nest.

Check out a birding website like Cornell or Audubon. You can put an app on your phone that will help you identify birds and even hear those spring songs. Then you can participate in the “Great Back Yard Bird Count” or “Nest Watch.”

Visit www.birds.cornell.edu and www.audubon.org to learn how.

It’s time to take a boating safety course if you haven’t had one and you’re thinking about taking your motorboat (10 horsepower and above) or jet ski out on the water when the weather is good.

Boaters 14 and older are now required to have a course completion card on board. Visit dgif.virginia.gov for boating safety education compliance regulations.

It is mating season — for skunks — P-U.

The burn law goes into effect Feb. 15. No burning before 4 p.m. within 300 feet of woodland, brush land or fields containing dry grass through April 30. Visit www.dof.Virginia.gov for more information.

Get your boots on folks. Spring peepers (little frogs) are calling in wet areas as night temperatures rise, and spotted salamanders are migrating to breeding ponds near you on wet evenings.

There are a few folks right here in Suffolk who are ready and waiting to resume their studies. You know who you are!

Osprey will be returning from the South for courting. Bear cub births will begin as the willows begin to show green.

It may not be the official start of spring until March 20, but Mother Nature has a lot going on in February, and we have a lot to do while we wait for spring!

Susan and Bradford “Biff” Andrews are retired teachers and master naturalists who have been outdoor people all their lives, exploring and enjoying the woods, swamps, rivers and beaches throughout the region for many years. Email them at b.andrews22@live.com.