Groundhog Day

Early or Late Spring?
Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the part of Europe where Germany is today, believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops.
This tradition was brought over to North America, predominantly to Pennsylvania in the United States, where it was the groundhog, not the badger, which made these “predictions”.
According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.
The Groundhog Day concept became popular in Canada in 1956.

Does the shadow of Mr. Mallard counts? Probably not ;)

P.S. Thank you very much for all your comments.
Feeling sleepy I need to return to my burrow.