It’s March and many of our birds are getting busy with nest building, scouting, and some of them are moving on like our American Goldfinch’s. I’m noticing fewer and fewer goldfinches at my feeders so they must be headed to the northeast for mating season. However, leave the goldfinch feeders up through April because there will still be some of them filling up on nyjer and finch feast before heading out.

Carolina wrens are singing tea kettle, tea kettle….

Carolina chickadees are singing their courting song and the mourning doves are cooing.

Cardinals, tufted titmice, and eastern towhees are starting to nest. Bird Lady 1 even has some nuthatches nesting in her bluebird house! As of today, there are 2 eggs in the house. This event has created a turf war between the bluebirds and nuthatches so another bluebird house is going up in the yard. That should make everyone happy.

Red bellied woodpeckers are drilling their nesting cavities and I have seen and heard one next door pecking away in a big pecan tree for weeks now! I will be glad when he is finished.

The male blue jays are chasing females so I expect them to begin nest building soon.

It is time to put those hummingbird feeders back out. I know some of you had yours out all winter since you had hummingbirds wintering with you. More and more of the tiny birds are staying with us throughout the year now.

Purple martins are in search of communal homes so if you’ve got the open space, put one up. Also, the wrens and chickadees are on the hunt for houses. It also helps to put nesting materials out like short yarn,dryer lint, and even pet hair. Those materials will entice the birds to nest in homes provided by you. The materials can be put in suet cages hung near by.

Another nice touch, is to create a soil dusting area on the ground for doves and sparrows. They like to “bathe” in a dusty area.

Speaking of bathing, provide water all year for your feathered friends.

Be sure to let us know what’s going on in your yard!