Nature Canada

Billions of migrating birds are on the move

Billions of birds are on the move, making the annual migration from Canada to warmer climes in the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Some stay — the boreal chickadee makes do, exploiting hidden food sources like insects and spiders and their eggs, hiding inside the bark of trees — but for many birds the risks of staying in Canada and braving the cold and lack of food are too great.

About 40% of the world’s bird species are considered migratory. In North America about 75% of bird species migrate, but in Canada alone roughly 90% of bird species take off for the winter. Not all migrants are long-distance; in fact, many ducks (like the Harlequin Duck) and other waterfowl decide to stay closer to home if weather and food sources allow. But with this many birds on the move, there will be plenty of opportunities to glimpse birds in your neighbourhood you wouldn’t see at other times of the year.
There are many things you can do to encourage birds to visit your yard during their migration, and to ensure that their journey is a safe one. Here are ten:
1. Rein in your pets. Leash dogs in natural areas, and keep beaches Fido-free in the breeding season. Keep cats indoors, especially in the spring and fall.
2. Keep old bread away from your feeders. Old baked goods are prone to mould, and fill a bird’s belly without meeting its nutritional needs. Mould can kill waterfowl. Instead of feeding old bread to the birds, offer dry seed, grains or fruits instead.3. Put waste in its place. Birds become entangled in plastic bags, fishing line and other garbage, resulting in injury, strangulation or easy predation.

4. Make your windows more visible for your feathered friends with stickers, decals or strips of colour. Unbroken reflections baffle birds, causing them to fly into the glass.

5. Drive carefully and respect speed limits. Not only will this reduce your gas use, but it also saves birds and other wildlife. Roadside birds take flight at an angle—possibly straight into your vehicle’s path—so slow down.

6. Cap your chimneys and dryer vents. Wire mesh will keep birds from roosting or roasting in your furnace or fireplace.

7. Provide a water source. Bird baths need only be an inch or two deep and have a shallow slope. If you have cats that prowl the neighbourhood, it’s best to mount the bath on a pedestal. Bird baths should be cleaned once a week with a stiff brush.

8. Plant native plants. They provide shelter and food sources. Many birds also rely on these plants to fatten up in preparation for their migration. Good choices for parts of Canada include aspen (Populus), willow (Salix), dogwoods (Cornus), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier), sunflowers, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Columbine, bee balm (Monarda), Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium), and Asters. White Cedar and White Spruce provide year-round green and good cover. No yard? Try planters.

9. Don’t use herbicides on your lawn. Not only is the resulting monoculture duller than birding at high noon, these poisons get ingested into the food chain and washed into the waterways. If it says “-cide” on your weed remedy, avoid it.10. Get the lead out. Sinkers cause acute or chronic lead poisoning of thousands of birds in Canada each year. Use non-toxic alternatives.

Photos: Vladimir Morozov (Canada Goose), Larry Kirtley (Harlequin Duck)

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