Manitoba Merv predicts early spring on Groundhog Day

While Sunday morning's blustery weather may have been a downer for people itching to get outdoors on Groundhog Day, the cloudy skies resulted in Manitoba Merv predicting an early spring after he didn't see his shadow.

"Our little plush rodent is pretty accurate, but the real sign of spring is when the birds come back," said Jacques Bourgeois, spokesperson at the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre. 

Manitoba Merv, Alberta's Balzac Billy and Ontario's Wiarton Willie all predicted an early spring unlike other animals such as Lucy the Lobster in Barrington, N.S. and Fred la marmotte in Quebec who are calling for six more weeks of winter. 

"He is the most accurate of the groundhogs in the country based on our experience because he's been doing this for probably 30 years now," Bourgeois said. 

Manitoba's Groundhog Day mascot has had a 73 percent success rate since 2000, the highest across Canada, according to the Weather Network's website. 

Manitoba Merv was involved in puppet shows to mark World Wetlands Day, which also takes place on Feb. 2 and over time he became the mascot to continue the tradition of honouring Groundhog Day. 

The annual event was first marked in the U.S. in 1886 with a weather prediction from Punxsutawney Phil, the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's website reports. 

The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on Feb. 2, 1887, and has since brought a steady flow of participants interested in celebrating. 

Punxsutawney Phil is perhaps the world's best-known groundhog — he's been predicting the weather the longest and he's featured in the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray. This year, he predicted six more weeks of winter. 

Manitoba Merv joins other provinces like B.C.'s Okanagan Okie in using a plush puppet or stuffed animal so as not to disturb groundhogs who are typically hibernating during this time of year. 

"Those that are looking forward to the warmer days, well, they're very happy with it. So it's good news for all of us anyways," Bourgeois said. 

"We all know spring is coming and might as well find out from a little plush rodent."

The Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre is currently undergoing renovations and plans to reopen in the spring, Bourgeois said. Manitoba Merv will have his own exhibit that will expand on the topic of hibernation, he said.