Spring Migration
We are drawing close to the end of a spectacular winter. We experienced record numbers of Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins in an irruption that we will more than likely never experience again in our lifetimes. The redpolls and siskins are moving on, but are being replaced by our normal resident American Goldfinches, House Finches, and Purple Finches that were crowded out by the boreal migrants.
Dark Eyed Juncos are also reappearing in large numbers, but will also soon move on to the boreal forests to nest.
The normal spring migration is well underway and we are starting to see a lot of our summer residents. Virtually all the ducks and most of the shore birds have already been sighted. Great Blue Herons, Turkey Vultures, and Trumpeter Swans grace the skies, and Sandhill Cranes fly with neck extended and legs dangling behind, calling their rattling trumpet sounds . There has even been a sighting of a Whooping Crane in Aitkin county.
Our smaller birds are beginning to show up as well. Western Meadowlarks, Eastern Phoebes, Song Sparrow, Fox Sparrows, American Robins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,and many others have been sighted. And, of course, everyone’s favorites, the Eastern Bluebirds, are back, albeit a little bit late this year.
So what should you do now to prepare for the onslaught of returning birds?
Now is a great time to clean out your feeders. Be sure to avoid harsh chemicals, as these can harm the birds. I recommend that you use an enzyme based cleaner. These are totally harmless to birds and work as well as detergents if you allow them to sit for a few minutes.
It is a good idea to clean under your feeders. Rake up as much of the uneaten seed and empty shells as you can. Allowing them to remain encourages the growth of mold, which can kill birds. You may want to consider relocating your feeders if there is a large amount of bird droppings under them. It will be awhile before the rain washes the droppings away and the sun sterilizes the area. Moving the feeders will reduce the risk of disease spreading among the birds.
If you do not want birdseed sprouting in your lawn, now is the time to switch to a shell free mixture. Seed without shells will not sprout. Be aware, however, that many birds prefer the shells. If you use a quality cleaned seed mixture with only sunflower and peanuts, the only thing you will have growing is sunflower, which will be killed off with one swipe of the lawn mower. If you use field run sunflower in the 50 lb bags or a lower quality seed mix, you may have as much as 6 to 7 % weed seeds which will germinate. Many of these may be perennials which will keep on growing no matter how many times you mow them.
If you use a weed preventative and fertilizer on your lawn, consider using a corn gluten based product. It it totally harmless to birds, pets, and children, and will not harm our lakes and rivers. Because it is so benign, it takes a little longer to work, but does a great job in the end. You can also use it under your feeders to keep seed from sprouting.
Be sure to clean out your bird houses. If mice have taken up residency over the winter, be careful not to inhale any dust. The droppings of the white-footed mouse can cause hanta virus, which can kill humans. This usually occurs primarily in the southwestern United States, but it is always best to be safe. Bird houses can also be cleaned with an enzyme based cleaner.
If you do not have bird houses, how about adding some? It is easy to attract Black-capped Chickadees, Eastern Bluebirds, Downy Woodpeckers, and House Wrens to your yard. American Robins and Eastern Phoebes can easily be drawn to nesting platforms. Be sure to buy a quality house. Avoid houses made of plywood, particle board, aromatic red cedar or treated lumber. The fumes and chemicals from these products can be harmful to birds.
You can also attract American Kestrels, Screech Owls, and Wood Ducks if you have the proper habitat. Wood Duck boxes do not need to be placed next to water, as long as there is water within ¼ mile. I have seen the mother Wood Duck leading her babies through the woods from the nest box to the water. It is quite a sight to behold
Begin to present nesting materials for other birds now. Do not use dryer lint-if it gets wet, it does not dry out. There also may be harmful chemicals in it, as many of our clothes fibers are created from petroleum based products. Dog and horse hair as well as people hair work great. Avoid long pieces of string or yarn, as bird’s feet can become entangled in them. We also have clean, safe nesting materials available for purchase.
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