It is springtime – do you know where your birds are?

Spring is here – and guess what? The skies are aflutter with our feathered friends making their spectacular journey northward! So, grab your gear, whether it's a camera or binoculars, and join in on the excitement. Every spring, billions of birds embark on incredible migrations, crossing vast distances over land and sea to reach their breeding grounds. Can you believe that the bar-tailed godwit holds the record for flying non-stop from New Zealand to Alaska, covering a jaw-dropping 7,500 miles in just 11 days?

During this spectacular spring migration, birds of all shapes and sizes take to the skies. From cranes and pelicans to swifts and swallows gliding through the air, there is a flurry of activity from dawn till dusk. Smaller travelers like warblers and thrushes migrate during nighttime sneaking past predators under the cloak of darkness. Now is the perfect time to catch these winged wonders in action. With their vibrant plumage and melodious songs, they are easier to spot as they perch on budding branches.

Spring is not just about admiring birds but helping them too! Here are some tips to support them:

• Keep your furry pals indoors to protect birds from becoming prey – did you know domestic cats are top predators of birds?
• Dim outdoor lights and add decals to windows to prevent collisions.
• Set out fresh water for drinking and bathing. A shallow tray like a plant saucer with a small rock and a stick allows birds and insects to drink or clean themselves without drowning.
• Stock up feeders with goodies like sunflower seeds for finches, mealworms for nuthatches, or fruit for orioles (Baltimore oriole is MD state bird!)
• Say no to harmful chemicals in your yard to keep ground-foraging birds safe.
• Install birdhouses for cavity nesters like Carolina wrens and chickadees. DIY kits for different types of birdhouses are available online.
• There are a multitude of apps and games you can play! Here are a few of our favorites:

o BirdCast app lets you track birds with real-time and forecast migration maps.

o eBird, Merlin Bird ID, and apps are your go-to guides for bird identification.

o Journey North app allows you to share sightings of migrating birds and other natural seasonal changes

o Play the Migration Game to follow Wanda the Wood Thrush on her epic journey from Costa Rica to Maryland!

All About Birds has resources to help migratory and resident native birds which are all protected by law. Keep an eye out for other animals too, from bats to snakes and skinks to bees, as they wake up from their seasonal dormancy.

From the chirping of birds to the buzzing of bees, spring is nature in motion and you have a front-row seat to this greatest symphony of life unfolding right before your eyes!