Spring is a fantastic time for birding as many seasonal migrants return and nesting season begins. This is the season many birders look forward to most after a long winter with fewer birds, and with the right spring birding tips it is easy to make the most of this season’s best birds.

Benefits of Spring Birding

Birding in spring can be rewarding on many levels. Not only does spring bring the return of many summer residents to northern areas, but birders who are active early in the season can easily find unusual migrants and rare birds that have strayed from their traditional migration routes.

Because many spring birds are in their breeding plumage, it can be easier to identify them based on colors and feather patterns. Birding by ear is also easier in spring, as many birds are singing to claim and defend territories and advertise their willingness to mate.

Later in the season, birders can not only continue seeing beautiful birds, but as those birds begin to nest it gives birders an outstanding opportunity to witness different bird behaviors, including courtship rituals and nest building. This allows birders to learn even more about their favorite species in an intimate and exciting way.

Where to Find Spring Birds

There are no bad places to look for birds in spring, but birders interested in spotting the first new arrivals and seeing the greatest number of species will check specific types of areas, including:

• Parks and gardens with early blooming flowers and trees
• Newly turned or planted agricultural fields
• Open waterways especially where winter ice is receding
• Blooming orchards

• Bird-friendly backyards with full feeders and spring plants

The key to knowing where to look for birds in spring is to seek out green spaces and the fresh, bright colors of spring flowers. Migrating birds seek out those same spaces as beacons of food after their long journeys, and it is there that many spring birds can be seen.

Spring Birding Tips

To make the most of birding during the spring…

• Dress Appropriately: Spring weather can be unpredictable and what looks like a warm day in the morning can quickly become frigid with a late season snowstorm. Dress in layers and wear footwear suitable for wet and potentially slippery ground.
  
  
• Avoid Dangerous Trails: Many hiking areas are closed in the winter because of avalanche dangers. These same areas may not open in early spring, and they should be avoided until local authorities have inspected the area and deemed it safe for hikers and walkers. Similarly, avoid areas prone to flooding and mudslides that may happen without warning during an unpredictable spring.
  
  
• Be Wildlife Aware: Birds are not the only wildlife that becomes more visible in spring. When birding in remote locations, be alert and aware of other potentially aggressive and dangerous wildlife, such as bears, moose, wolves, coyotes or mountain lions. Especially after a hard, lean winter, these predators may be more aggressive than normal and could be dangerous.
  
  
• Learn Courtship Behavior: Bird courtship behavior can be fascinating to observe, and birders who understand the different types of behaviors – preening, plumage displays, feeding, etc. – that birds use to woo mates will be able to spot those behaviors in the field for a more unusual birding experience.
  
  
• Leave Nests Alone: It can be tempting to peek into or touch a nest with spring bird families, but doing so will cause stress on both adult birds and any young that have already hatched. If the adults become too stressed they may believe the nesting site is unsafe and abandon it, so it is best to observe nests from a safe distance.
  
  
• Prepare for Allergies: Spring season is allergy season for many birders, and being prepared for the discomforts of allergies can make spring birding much more enjoyable – and can lead to fewer sneezes that may scare away birds. Choose non-drowsy allergy medication and keep spare pills in your field bag for long birding trips. Stay hydrated, and carry along plenty of tissues if needed.
  
  
• Bird By Ear: There is no better season to learn birding by ear than spring, when many returning migrants use song to stake their territories and claim mates. Invest in downloadable bird songs or CDs so you can learn which birds you hear, but avoid playing those songs in the field when they might distract or confuse birds.
  
  
• Check All Heights: In prime migration habitats and fresh spring areas, check all heights of the foliage for visiting birds. Mixed flocks of several species often travel together, but when they are feeding or resting you will spot different birds on the ground, at mid-level heights and at the tree tops.
  
  
• Be an Early Bird: The morning chorus just after sunrise is the best time of day to spot spring birds, as that is the time when most birds are singing and foraging. Early risers will often have the most exciting birding experiences as they spot more species and different behaviors.
  
  
• Try a Birding Festival: Many birding festivals are planned for peak spring migration periods and times when greater numbers of species are found in the festival location. For a rich spring birding experience, consider attending a festival where you can take advantage of coordinated field trips, expert local guides and informational workshops to help you refresh your birding skills after a long winter.

Photo – Brown-Eared Bulbul © Lip Kee Yap