Springtime’s Return of the Birds

It’s April and spring and love is in the air. This month all birds, including Bluebirds, Robins, Cardinals, and Finches, are singing to find a mate. Birds nest and raise young all spring and summer; in fact, some early birds may have already had one batch and are looking to raise a second brood. So it’s not too late to put out nesting boxes and bird houses.April is also when Buntings begin returning from Central America to the U.S. to nest. You’ll see them at your bird bath and tube seed feeder filled with a birdseed mix containing millet. A terrific nesting blend of suet nuggets, dried fruit and dried meal-worms along with sunflower and white millet will be irresistible to migrating Buntings. Buntings will eat seeds and insects year-round so be sure to keep your feeders filled.Like all of us, birds need water every day. Migrating songbirds won’t pass up the chance to take a drink, rest, and maybe even bathe a while in your bird bath. Did you know that by simply by adding a bird bath to your backyard you could double the variety of birds that visit? There are all sorts of bird baths available, but a solar powered bird bath fountain or a bird bath with a water wiggler will turn the bath into an irresistible bird magnet and prevent mosquitoes from laying there eggs.April and May are also when Orioles and Hummingbirds make their return. They will be looking for high-energy sweets to eat, but because flowers containing the nectar they need may be scarce, nectar feeders will be very helpful and attractive to them. Orioles also will feed on fresh oranges. Spear some fresh orange halves, fruit side up, on a pronged feeder or a sharp branch. You’ll even tempt Tanagers, Grosbeaks and House Finches.A suet feeder is a terrific winter treat for woodpeckers, but it’s also a wonderful way to attract springtime migrants like Warblers, Tanagers, and Kinglets. Use a fatty suet loaded with nuts, berries and calcium. Be sure to secure the suet feeder flush against a tree so birds like Warblers can comfortably eat. The tree will also provide protection should any threats be lurking.Yes, spring is here and all of us are again returning to our gardens to begin this year’s new crop of tomatoes, herbs and beautiful flowers. Why not enjoy the other rites of spring at the same time, the return of the many songbirds and hummingbirds to our yards.