Do you hear it? Life is returning to your yard.
Drink in the sights and sounds of Spring as birds and other wildlife begin to stir.
A Cardinal, always first to the feeder, tries to wake you with its loud, “cheer…cheer…cheer”; and the chipmunk, emerging from its long winter nap, repeatedly exclaims a loud “chip…chip…chip” as a greeting to the Spring. Above, newly returned Tree Swallow’s “twitter” as they surf the sky and bluebirds sing their happy chortle as they inspect the new nest box in your backyard.
You’ve made it through winter, and as a reward, the next three months will bring you some of Nature’s most spectacular gifts.
What a show migration is with its ever changing cast of characters passing through your yard: warblers, vireos, thrushes and tanagers all out to impress and dazzle you. Migration also brings suspense: when will my hummingbirds return; will the orioles find my feeders and why hasn’t the Indigo Bunting returned to the millet feeder it liked so much last summer?
Migration turns to nesting with its own set of questions. Will the bluebirds like the fancy new nest box we installed for them last fall? Are the robins going to reuse the nesting shelf under the eaves? Where in the heck are our chickadees nesting this year?
Nesting turns to youngsters. What a reason for celebration as the parents first appear at your feeders with their nosey and noisy young. And how cool is it to watch the adults, busy in your backyard habitat, as they glean pollinating insects to feed their ever impatient youngsters.
Yes, life returns in Spring…a truly special gift from Nature for you to enjoy and nurture!
How to Choose the Best Nest Box for Your Birds