Spring Birdwatching Excitement
Spring migration is in full swing which means there is a lot to see if you invest a little extra time looking in any of our wonderful parks and on greenways, and even in your own backyard. The first few sightings of Ruby-throated hummingbirds came in this week and over the course of the next 6 weeks many more will follow. Get your binoculars out and your ears ready because neo-tropical migrants are passing through middle Tennessee everyday headed to their summer breeding areas, which will take some of them as far as Canada. Over 30 species of warblers, 7 species of vireos, Scarlet and Summer tanagers, several different flycatchers, Orchard and Baltimore orioles, and 6 species of swallows are there for the viewing if you try. Mornings between 6 am and 10 am are best because many of these migratory birds travel at night settling down to feed and rest before resuming their journey.
For daily sightings reports you may want to subscribe to tn-bird@freelists.org or visit Tennessee Birding on Facebook. And if you would like to become a more active birdwatcher consider joining the Nashville Chapter of Tennessee Ornithological Society. For more information visit TNBirds.org
Your feeders may have been a little slow over the last few weeks but soon activity will increase significantly. Suet consumption will also increase, especially if you live in a wooded environment. Woodland birds like woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees, and titmice, find suet to be a valuable commodity during their nesting phase. In my yard I find that suet consumption doubles from mid-April through the end of June.
At your feeders expect to see the always popular Rose-breasted grosbeaks and Indigo buntings. RB Grosbeaks are very fond of most seeds with sunflower, safflower, and peanuts being favorites. Platform feeders will accommodate several at once. Indigo Buntings may visit finch feeders as well as platform and tube feeders with sunflower and millet. Pics of RBG and Indigo bunting
Of course, American goldfinches are here in abundance year-round and are now putting on their bright yellow spring plumage. Goldfinch numbers can vary daily as they, too, are on the move.
Very few Bluebird nests have been reported so far which is quite normal. It's still on the early side of the nesting phase. There is still plenty of time to offer a Bluebird box and successfully attract them.
Happy Easter to all!