The joy of backyard bird-watching
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/05/2021 (732 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Spring is finally here and we are well on our way to summer. As I write this, I am sitting next to my lilac bush, taking advantage of its perfume before it all too soon loses its blossoms.
This time of year I enjoy watching and listening to the variety of birds that visit my yard. Some are year-round visitors; some spend a few weeks and others are just passing by on their way further north. Over the years I’ve probably seen over 40 different bird species.
Black-capped chickadees are year-round feeders. If there is no food in the feeder and you are patient, stretch out your arm with a handful of black oil sunflower seeds and these birds will eat right out of your hand. Other year-round visitors include the house sparrow, purple finch, downy woodpecker and a few others.
In the spring when I hear a “thunk” on the living room window I know the dark-eyed juncos are back for a few weeks. They hit the windows more frequently than any other bird, but are pretty resilient, as they just fly off. My favourite songbirds usually arrive in May – the Savannah sparrow, the white-throated sparrow and American goldfinch. Others drop by just to spend a day, such as the pretty rose-breasted grosbeak, yellow-rumped warbler, and American redstart.
Having different feeders and seed will attract different birds. I have one for suet cakes (which attract nuthatches and woodpeckers); a tubular feeder with Niger seed – a favorite of finches; one feeder with a mix of cracked corn and millet (sparrows, red winged blackbirds); and two feeders with black oil sunflower seeds which all birds like, especially the chickadees.
Seeds that fall onto the ground also attract different birds – mourning doves, Harris’s sparrows, juncos, as well as a pair of mallard ducks who come daily for their feed. Small animals such as rabbits and squirrels also enjoy the fallen food. Although I’ve only occasionally seen their prints in the winter, mice can also be attracted to the fallen seed so you may want to consider that when placing your feeders.
There are some birds I’d prefer not to have around, like the grackles, who tend to scare away other birds and hog the food. Unfortunately, having so many birds gets the attention of the merlin and a few have been taken by this small falcon. Oh well, that’s nature.
If you’ve considered setting up something to attract birds, most department stores will have everything you need. If you want to go all out, specialty stores like Wild Birds Unlimited at 11 Reenders Dr. will have anything you want, such as fancy water features for your bird bath and a wide assortment of bird feeders. Their staff can answer all your birding questions.
To identify birds there are apps and plenty of information online, but I prefer to look them up in The Audubon Society’s Master Guide to Birding books.
Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.