Spring is Around the Corner!

First Sign of Spring

It's just past mid-February and a black-capped Carolina chickadee has been visiting our backyard. They have been absent all winter. So, today, I'm excited to announce that spring is around the corner. I haven't seen the groundhogs in the neighbors' yard to ask them, but the chickadee sighting and the fact that it was chasing one of our male cardinals means the mating season (a.k.a spring) is on its way, and the smaller chickadee is trying to clear the backyard for his mate and their spring arrivals. Silly bird. I guess he hasn't heard that we welcome all birds.

image courtesy of Meagan-Joy Huggard via Unsplash

Bird Lovers

What about you? Are your spring and summer avian visitors starting to arrive? Is there more chirping in your backyard? If so, go take a peek and see which ones have made an early arrival. Since more cold weather may be around a bit longer, and there may be a lack of food preferences for another month or so, place some fruit and seeds in your yard so the birds will want to stay in your yard.

Also, if you have a cat that likes to wander around outdoors, make sure to place a bell on its collar so the birds can hear it approach and fly to safety. If you see a stray cat lurking around, gently scat them away so the birds will feel safe in your backyard. Use this same type of judgment for other pets and strays if they appear to be hunting your backyard birds. As soon as the freezing temperatures are fully over, place birdbaths in the yard to attract more birds.

Happy bird watching!

Patricia

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