The beauty of backyard birding

Meredith Stoesz, assistant manager of Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop, said bird feeding had already become one of the fastest-growing hobbies across North America — and then the pandemic boosted its popularity sky high.

“I believe many of us were able to slow down, take a deep breath and really appreciate the world around us during lockdown. It also provided a sense of calm when the rest of the world didn’t feel calm at all,” she said.

“Extra time spent outdoors meant more time connecting with the natural world. The really wonderful thing about bird feeding is it allows us to bring nature home and connect with the wild world right in our own backyard.”

Spring migration is an ideal time to start bird feeding and bird watching, Stoesz added.
“About 90 per cent of birds in Manitoba migrate south for the winter to escape the weather as well as dwindling food sources,” she said.

“May is a great month to be watching birds because the diversity of species coming back through southern Manitoba is high. Some species nest in the boreal forest, and on their way there, they need to stop for snacks.”

When birds fly over your yard, they’re looking for water and a food source, as well as shelter such as trees and bushes. They also seek places to raise young, like nesting boxes or different layers of foliage.

“Spring migration is an ideal time to start bird feeding and bird watching”

“Adding bird feeders brings in the birds nice and close,” she said. “But going the extra mile and using high-quality food will not only bring in more diversity but will also reduce the amount of food wasted.”

Black oil sunflower seed is a favourite choice of seed-eating birds and the simplest food to offer, she added.“If you want to expand your bird feeding operation, you can diversify the food you are offering and the way you offer it. Suet feeders are great for attracting woodpeckers, tray feeders are a bird and human favourite, and seed cylinders are a long-lasting convenient buffet for the birds,” Stoesz said.

“Also, adding a source of water like a bird bath and planting native plant species will encourage a higher diversity of birds to visit your yard.”

This time of year, common backyard birds include black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers and blue jays. You might also spot American goldfinch, chipping sparrows, house finches, rose-breasted grosbeak, Baltimore oriole and ruby-throated hummingbird.

For Stoesz, the appeal of bird watching stems from the connection to nature that sets your spirits soaring— both in your backyard and beyond.

“It’s also a really relaxing activity. Once you’ve started bird watching or bird feeding, it’s hard to stop. It inspires us to create better habitats for the birds in our yards, which in turn provides food and shelter for a variety of different wildlife,” she said.

“It also encourages us to explore and look for different species of birds you might not be able to find in your backyard. So we head out and explore our big Manitoba backyard, which is wonderful.”

“Spring migration is an ideal time to start bird feeding and bird watching”

“The really wonderful thing about bird feeding is it allows us to bring nature home and connect with the wild world right in our own backyard.”
– Meredith Stoesz