The weather this winter has certainly been anything but normal. You may have noticed that some of our early migrators were even earlier than usual. I had my first red-winged blackbird on February 19th! Last year I didn’t see, or hear them until March 6th. The grackles and cowbirds arrived shortly after. Some Robins will spend the winter with us if there is a sufficient amount of berries for them to dine on, but the ones who flew south are beginning to appear in our yards and gardens.

Spring officially arrives tomorrow, and the forecast for the next couple of weeks is going to be much more seasonal with cooler temperatures. So what can we do to help? Offering seed for most of our songbirds is great, but how can we help the robins, thrashers, mockingbirds and other non-seed-eating birds? Even though I have included Robins in the group, I have seen them readily going to my fly-through and ground feeders for sunflower hearts. Offering fruits such as mashed bananas, cut up apples, seedless grapes, halved, and mealworms would certainly be inviting and appreciated. You can also add a few sunflower hearts into the mix. This selection of goodies can be served in any kind of tray feeder. You can also continue to supplement their diet with this mix throughout the summer months! Fresh water is also important, so keep those bird baths clean and refreshed.

Aside from providing food and water, there are a few more important things to add to the list. Now is an ideal time to clean and maintain your feeders by washing them with a combination of vinegar or bleach, 1 part to 9 parts of hot water. You not only want to clean the inside of the feeder, but also the feeding portals, perches, roof, and while you’re at it, give the pole or bracket a wipedown too. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and air dry before refilling.

We have more bird strikes on windows during migration periods than any other time of the year. If you have ultra violet window alerts, now is the time to replace them with new ones. Ultra violet alerts will fade after exposure to the sun. Changing these alerts before spring and fall migration will save many birds. Remember to put them on the outside of your windows.

You can also put out nesting material for our feathered friends. If your lawns and gardens haven’t been treated with pesticides, you can collect yard debris and add it to a suet feeder for the birds. Please do not add dryer lint as the chemicals from dryer sheets or laundry detergent aren't safe for nestlings.

With nothing to do but sit in the nest waiting for mom and dad to bring food, they will peck away at the nest.

Spring migration is like Christmas time for birders. I hope you delight in sightings of all of the birds moving back into our neighbourhoods, and their delightful bird songs!

Happy Spring Birding!

Jane Paradis

Brand Ambassador

Urban Nature Store