OBSERVER File Photo Dunkirk Dave did not see his shadow this year. This is the fourth consecutive year Dave did not see his shadow, signaling an early spring.

Without any fanfare, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dunkirk Dave did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring.

Dunkirk Dave’s handler, Bob Will, was going to let Dave sleep in as long as he wanted as there was no event he had to get up for, and while Will expected it to be later in the morning, Dave got up around 8 a.m. and was greeted by a large selection of food, including bananas, broccoli, pecans and monkey chow biscuits.

After he grabbed the monkey chow biscuits, Dave got to work.

“He eventually looked around and sniffed the air, he seemed very calm and happy with no shadow,” Will said. “He didn’t see his shadow, so early spring is his prediction. Spring should be upon us sooner than later, judging by his behavior and the usual way I’ve been reading him.”

While Will was concerned that, despite warning people to not show up in person, people would not abide by COVID-19 restrictions and try to show up regardless. Fortunately, everything went according to Will’s plan.

“We got a lot of calls from all over,” Will said. “There were cars driving by but nobody stopped. Everything went fine, and I feel comfortable with that.”

This was Dave and Will’s 53rd year of predicting the length of winter, making it the second longest tenured prognosticating groundhog, second only to Punxsutawney Phil, who did see his shadow this year.