3 minute read
Help Birds Migrate Safely This Spring
Katie L. Grant
Katie L. Grant is communications director for the DNR.
Every spring it happens — you're walking outside and notice things are a bit louder than they’ve been the last few months. The relative quiet of winter has ended, and the songs of birds fill the Wisconsin air again.
Spring migration is critical for birds to make it safely from their southern wintering grounds back north to their breeding grounds.
Native birds need all the help they can get. Their populations in the U.S. and Canada have declined by 30%, or 2.9 billion birds, since 1970, according to a study by researchers from seven renowned organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution.
A 2019 National Audubon Society study also revealed two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. Still, we can help improve the chances for 76% of jeopardized species if we act now.
Here are some steps you can take to help protect the safety of our feathered friends.
WINDOW COLLISIONS
Between the reflections made in windows that birds mistake for open spaces and the sheer transparency of the glass, windows can be a serious concern for these migrating animals. As many as 1 billion birds die everyyear in the U.S. alone after colliding with buildings, nearly half at our homes. But you can help, one window at a time.
Add UV reflective film or other external markers: When placed on the outside of windows, these films, screens, dot patterns or cords can be almost unnoticeable to the human eye but are visible to birds. Unlike single decals, they reduce the reflectivity of windows, helping birds discern them as a barrier.
Consider bird feeder or birdbath placement: Placing these helpful objects away from windows can attract birds to areas where they are less likely to collide with windows. Research says to put feeders within 3 feet of a window or no closer than 30 feet. Most humans like to place them about 10 feet outside their picture windows, which is too close and increases the bird’s chances of striking the window.
PLANT NATIVE
Migratory birds passing through Wisconsin also need good places to refuel and rest between flights. You can make your backyard, no matter how big or small, a safe place for them by creating stopover habitats with native plants.
Add native trees, shrubs and wildflowers: Unlike their exotic counterparts, native plants provide birds with essential foods that replenish fat stores used up in long flights. Some good examples are oaks, cherries, spruces, dogwoods and bluestem, though there are many more options.
LEARN MORE
Visit dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2226 for “10 Great Native Trees, Shrubs and Plants for Birds” to learn about native plantings that produce lots of insects and fruit for birds to eat.
