Enjoy the birds that visit your yard, and watch for a new arrivals as they migrate north, and perhaps you will see a new species. Watch the low underbrush for a Mourning Warbler (above) if you are in the East – a MacGillivray’s Warbler if you’re in the West (photo by Paul Konrad).
For migrating birds, as well as nesting birds, every yard counts – every tree and scrub and flower garden counts – and the food in every feeder counts, every type of feeder food counts in a feeding station, and every bird bath or other water feature counts! Everything we do individually makes a difference, and all the things each of us does for birds combines with the efforts of other birders so it all adds up to provide millions of backyard habitats, office habitats, schoolyard habitats, churchyards, city parks, and more. Think of each one as an island, then think about how they interconnect to form tracts of habitat, and towns of habitat, and it all means so much to migrating and nesting birds – starting with your yard, and expanding across the country, the continent, and the hemisphere!
It’s that time of the year when all you have done for birds in your property really pays off in the form of the variety and number of birds that come to your yard. That includes new birds and rare birds that only stop by once or twice a year, or every couple years – but especially resident birds and nesting birds. Your yard is most important for birds that will stay for May, June, and July to nest nearby and visit daily; then bring their fledglings to your yard to benefit from all you provide.
That’s all very important! Providing for vulnerable migrants and nesting birds is highly commendable, so be sure to give yourself credit as you enjoy the birds you have attracted as a benefactor. Take time to enjoy the birds, watch for them, appreciate them when they appear, drink in their beauty and their nature, appreciate what you’ve done, take a few photos, and appreciate you are richer for the birds that surround you. These weeks of May could be the best of the year to appreciate the fruits of your landscaping, your choice of feeders, the variety of foods you provide along with the fresh water so necessary for birds – the best of backyard birding is providing a total package for birds.
