the birds are back in town

A White-throated Sparrow in the garden.

I heard its song before I spotted it.  oh-sweet-canada-canada It called out.  Then, in the distance, a few backyards away, I heard another in response. oh-sweet-canada-canada. Such a lovely, sweet tune. And a true sign that the migrating birds were arriving.  

I surveyed the backyard garden, and spotted it hopping about. Then it moved down to the grass beneath one of the bird feeders, where I got a clearer view.  The White-throated Sparrows have returned!

Bird watching is what started me on TheParkNextDoor journey. And it never fails to thrill me. This miracle of migration may seem nerdy or insignificant to some, but I'm a proud bird nerd. Happily, it seems a more diverse, and younger generation, have discovered birds, and the excitement of bird watching.  Bird watching has become cool.  This makes me happy.  The more people to discover the beauty and necessity of birds in the world, the better the world will be.

Spring migration brings millions of birds, billions, in fact, through our cities and towns. Enroute to their summer nesting locations, they make stops on the way along our lakeshores, in our parks and prairies, along our rivers and creeks, and, yes, in our backyards. 

An Indigo Bunting that visited the habitat last spring, May 10.

In the past two years spring migration has arrived in our little backyard habitat on May 10. Amazing that the dates were the same!  How do they know?  But this year they seem to be trickling in over a few weeks.  Whereas last year I opened the blinds on May 10 to a rainy backyard filled with migrants. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Swainson's Thrushes, and Catbirds, along with many others flying to and fro' through our garden.  

​This year the buntings have yet to show up. But some new visitors have!  

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If you haven't seen many migrants in your backyard or local parks this migration season, don't despair. They just seem a bit delayed.  Check out birdcast.info for current migration maps and forecasts, and keep watch for their arrival.  Feel free to download our free bird watching checklist so you can keep track of the birds you see.  Happy Bird Watching!!

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