Get Ready: Birds Arriving in Ontario throughout April

April is an exciting month in the bird community as we can see spring migration of many species! There is so much anticipation and excitement and every glance out of your window could provide opportunities for rewarding new bird encounters. Be alert and keep watching! Birds time their spring migration north with the opening of new leaves on trees and the available feast of increasing insect populations. More daylight hours means more time for eating insects! 

Migration is a fascinating topic and one of interest for anyone that likes a good mystery! Of course, we know a lot about avian migration due to bird banding stations and increases in technology. However, there is still a lot that remains unknown and knowledge gaps surrounding species, including what paths they take when they migrate and where they spend their non-breeding time. We are even unsure as to why certain species don't migrate at all despite being closely related to ones that do. 

Birds to expect in April: 

Tree Swallows. Photo by Heather Kerrison 

• Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows will return early in the month. Tree Swallows are cavity nesters and will look to nest in natural cavities in dead trees, old woodpecker cavities, abandoned Cliff Swallow burrows, and nest boxes. Placing a nesting box in your yard is a great way to attract this stunning species, which will lend you the opportunity to see them raise their young. They are aerial insectivores and prefer to live near water, where insects are most abundant. If your yard is an ideal habitat, consider putting up some nesting boxes in the coming weeks, before mid-April, and hope that you get some residents this nesting season.

• Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Towhees, Fox Sparrows, and Tree Sparrows are all considered early April migrants. Sparrow species enjoy Nyjer seed, Finch Blend, No-Mess Blends, Sunflower Chips, Sunflower Seeds, and Bark Butter. Additionally, try offering a WBU Nest Building Material ball to encourage them to pull material and nest close by!

Eastern Phoebe. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

• Purple Martins return by the middle of the month. Be sure to have their houses ready if you have some.

• Pine Warblers, Brown Thrashers, Palm Warblers, American Bittern, Chimney Swifts, and Chipping Sparrows all typically return in late April. As more warblers will be moving through, try offering mealworms to entice them to stop in your yard throughout their journey. They also like suet, particularly if insects are involved. Try offering our Bug, Nut, and Berry Cylinder variety during this time.

Pine Warbler. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Other nature happenings to be prepared for in April:

• Eastern Bluebirds begin nesting and have finished nest selection by the end of the month. Be sure, if you have a nesting box, it is out and ready.
• Baltimore Orioles and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will return in early May, make sure you dig out their feeders, clean them and have fresh supplies of BirdBerry Jelly, oranges, and nectar. We also wanted to gently remind you that you should always avoid using nectar that has artificial colours and sweeteners, as it actually can be harmful to them. Red dye is unnecessary. All you need is a simple recipe of one part white sugar to four parts boiled water. Orioles enjoy this mix too. We have heard of some VERY early Ruby-throated hummingbirds.. have your feeders and nectar at the ready!

Check out this interactive bird migration map by National Geographic 

The Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP) has a real-time tracker of bird migration that can alert you to the intensity of birds flying through your region! You can visit it here. Their website contains a breadth of information about safe-guarding migratory birds and how you can become involved. 

If we think about the amount of man-made hazards and natural events that migrating birds encounter it makes their successful journeys seem even more miraculous! 

Happy migration to all! 

Warmly, 

Heather