Spring is actually here! The temperatures may not always feel like it, but the brave and hardy spring flowers are still making their way out of the turf and showing their colors. Along with them, migrating birds are making their way back up north and there are a number of things you can do to help them recover from their long flight north, and possibly to refuel them for their further travels north. These will all help:

Leave the leaves!  Many seeds, caterpillars and worms can be found in the leaf litter from last fall. If you neaten up by removing them, you will also remove all of those food sources for hungry birds. If you’ve noticed a bird thrashing through leaves in the woods, it’s not for fun. They’re looking for food that isn’t on a neat and tidy bed of fresh mulch. Please, for the birds’ sake, leave the leaves.

Don’t put pesticide in your yard. The pesticide may kill grubs but it also kills caterpillars and other little creatures that birds feed on, and feed their young. Reducing your lawn size will reduce the potential habitat for grubs, reduce how much you have to mow, and leave more area where you can leave the leaves.

Give the thirsty birds some water. Adding a bird bath or other water source is extremely helpful for birds, and butterflies. If you can add a small bubbler, the gentle noise helps to let them know you’ve got something for them.

Plant native fruiting trees and shrubs. This may not help this spring, but as the shrubs mature they will provide food for the birds as they migrate south. Cick here for a good list (with pictures) of native shrubs that grow in Michigan.

Add a bird house.  Some birds prefer to raise their young in enclosed areas versus in trees. It’s important to have the right kind of birdhouse, with the right-sized holes, to give them what they need. And, face the hole away from the prevailing winds so the babies stay as dry as possible. Click here for a good resource for knowing what type of birdhouse you may want to provide.

By doing these things, you will be a welcome resting place and possibly summer home for our migrating feathered friends.