It's for the Birds!

May 2026 

Spring is in the air, albeit more like the April part of spring versus the middle of May. We have had some very cool weather so far this May. Frosty nights and gray chilly days. Regardless, today I went outside and continued "starting" my spring cleanup.  It's a process you see! I’m pondering birds because they were out today in full force. A sure sign of spring. For me, and even my family, birds are a pastime.  We are not serious birders, but merely observers.  When asked, I tell people we are back yard birders. We have a fine set of binoculars but have never gone out into the wild specifically looking for birds.  

Yet, we have a motion detecting camera I mount to my feeders, and I love to take photos of birds from my patio with a scope that has an iPhone mount.  We have a book to help identify the birds we see. One where we document when we see them, what they were perched on, or what they were eating. And we have years of data to look back on. We grow specific plants for them. We have 8-10 bird houses of different sizes and configurations placed in well-designed spots at the proper elevation to attract the right species. We, well mainly I, offer 5-7 different types of foods in separate feeders, designed for certain species. I have an app on my phone to help identify birds by their sound. Ok, Ok! You caught me. I guess I am a moderately serious birder!

For me, the source of this excessive passion all comes from my dad.  He wasn't passionate about a whole lot, that is a certainty, but he loved his birds.  It was his hobby as well. In my youth, I laughed at him and ridiculed this pastime.  Watching him buy all those seeds, building bird houses and growing plants specifically for birds.  He grew grapevines and planted raspberries just so the birds would come and eat the fruit.  I thought that was crazy!  It seemed like such an old man thing.  So much work. And for what? But by the time I was around 40, I began to see the allure. Now, it has become a significant part of my daily routine. 

Frankly, it is a very relaxing and fulfilling pursuit.  It ties you to nature in a unique way.  And generally, it is a great way to make the world a better place. It is also generational.  My kids are in their 30's, and even when they were in their teens, they could identify multiple species of birds, both by their appearance and by their song.  My grandson is only five, and I bet he can identify at least a dozen birds by sight and probably half that many by their song. One of his favorite places to visit is a bird sanctuary near his home. They all have picked up the passion earlier than I did.  And thankfully, they don’t laugh or ridicule me for it. At least that I know about!

We live in a residential suburb in Michigan, but not too far from the corn and soy fields of the rural portion of our county. Regardless, you might think the number of species would be quite limited. However, that is not the case. Common species like Cardinals, Grackles, Blue Jays, Chickadees, Sparrows, Titmouse, Finches, as well as many Woodpecker species, are all present in significant numbers. 

We also have raptors, like Hawks and Owls, even the occasional Bald Eagle sighting.  Sand hill cranes are frequent. Which can really do a number on my lawn as they search for food. My personal favorites are Orioles, Bluebirds, Swallows, Wrens and Hummingbirds. That is mainly why I ponder today, as they have all returned from their long winter adventures south, and are taking advantage of the bounty my hobby provides.

Birds are fun in all seasons, but spring is by far the best of times. The distinctive, mildly irritating, pre-dawn song of a Robin, the feline meow of a Catbird, the mechanical lilt of a Cowbird “Booda la dee”, or the unique trill of a Red-winged Blackbird in the spring, “Conk la reee”. All these are migrators, and harbingers of spring at our house.

Anticipating their arrival, a few weeks ago I got ready and prepared both feeding and nesting sites for these transient species. Stocking up on grape jelly and making nectar. As crazy as it sounds, I count the years in this way. And sure enough, within a couple days of the first of May, the orioles and hummingbirds were gracing my feeders, bickering amongst themselves for a spot. We have already gone through 4 jars of grape jelly, and I have made nectar at least 3 times. They arrive hungry!

I have two bluebird nests, and each is already occupied, one with babies about to fledge and the other with eggs. The wrens are hunting for a nesting spot, tucking sticks into interesting places. The chickadees have claimed one of my boxes. Robins, always choosing crazy places, have started a nest on top of a wren box. House Sparrows, always an enigma for birders due to their aggressive eating and social habits, have several nests on my property. All in all, I have my own mini bird sanctuary. And I love it.

We lived in Australia for a few years and brought our birding habit down under.  What a great experience!  Kookaburras, Ibis, Magpies, Myna, Lorikeets, Cockatoos, Galas and Wagtails, all visited our backyard. The laugh of a Kookaburra was a huge shock to me and my family.  It sounded like we lived in a jungle.  Feeding Kookaburra’s became a fun event for my family and an amusement to our guests. They really became a part of the family. 

As did the Lorikeets, who after a time would eat from my hand.  We even named a Butcherbird.  “Swoopy”, who never failed to catch a morsel of hamburger we would throw up for him.  I even saw a Cassowary in the wild, what an experience! Especially because there are less than 1000 of them left there. It really made me think.

Is there any better way to live in harmony with our world than through connecting with nature?  Thankfully, birds are a simple way to do just that. They are amazing animals, and very few days go by in our lives when we don’t see or hear a few of them. Even if you live in a big city. Frankly, we are surrounded by these colorful, intelligent, vocal, flying creatures everywhere we go. Often rarely noticing how they live somewhat symbiotically with us.

That is what makes birds some of the best ambassadors for nature. Their sounds, colors, habits, and playfulness are enjoyable on their own. But by paying attention to these creatures, you will find that you soon begin to pay closer attention to nature in totality. In your backyard alone, each species interacts with other animals, insects, and plants. The interconnections begin to make you see how we all interrelate.  How everything is connected.  As we age, I think this is extremely important to understand.

Birds also stimulate our bodies and brains in beneficial ways. Like my children, you’ll come to remember their names through sounds and sight. This keeps our neurons firing and we certainly need all of that we can get as we age! Trust me, it will enrich your life to get to know them better.  Maybe it will connect you with your kids?  Your grandkids? Your neighbors?  Maybe you’ll find that you get to know yourself a little better too! And the squirrels?  I’ll fill you in on that another time!