Spring Ahead

The official start of spring is less than a week away.  It’s one of my favorite times of the year.  Many of my good feathered-friends are coming back home.

But, boy, is spring a busy time for the birds!  Most are just finishing a long, exhausting migration back North.  But there is no time to rest!  Now they must stake out a space they can use for mating and building a home for their baby birds.  Think about it… humans have nine months to prepare to bring a new baby home.  Birds have to find a mate, build a home, care for their eggs, care for their newborns and prepare for their autumn migration back South, and only have a few short months to complete the process.  Talk about stress!

Making your backyard a welcoming place for the birds can be extremely helpful.
• Clean out your birdfeeders and birdbaths with a soap and warm water solution.
• Fill your feeders with fresh seed or nectar.  If you’ve been storing seed over the winter, check it for any mold or insect presence.
• Consider a suet feeder.  This high protein, high energy food can really help birds whose bodies are quickly losing energy during this stressful time of year.
• Offer a fresh water supply.  Even if natural food sources are abundant in your area, offering water is great way to attract birds.

And remember, those baby birds that you help provide a good home for this spring, may very well return to your yard again for years to come.

As a quick added note… The hummingbirds have reached the US!  Residents in Florida, Texas and other Gulf states have been seeing them for weeks now.  Have you seen the arrival of the hummingbirds?  Join us on Facebook and keep us updated!