Preparing for spring

Two Northern Cardinals in a Shingle Oak
with fresh spring leaves

January and early February is the perfect time to prepare your bird feeders, gardens and nesting boxes for spring. I usually mow my meadow garden between December and early February to spread the seeds and provide ample light for reemerging perennials and seedlings. It is good to leave at least a few stalks from last year's vegetable or flower garden to provide food and seeds for animals. White throated sparrows, field sparrows, chipping sparrows, towhees and wrens often use the dormant grasses and weeds as shelter. In addition, many insects, spiders and reptiles overwinter in or under dead vegetation or fallen leaf litter. As spring grows closer, most of the dead stalks should be mowed down, or death-headed to encourage new growth. If possible, do not send all of the dead plant material to the curb or fire pit, dead leaves, sticks, and grasses are used in bird nests. Rake some or all of your leaf debris under your shrubs and trees to protect woodland plants, attract snails and insects for birds and to maintain moisture around your trees. January and February is a good time to install nesting boxes and clean out old bird nests or rodent and wasp nests from bird houses. Old nests often have residual parasites from last season and may encourage bumble bees, wasps or ants to move in. This is also a great time to repair damaged parts of nest boxes, install new features like metal flashing, baffles and mesh floors. Keep in mind that Carolina Chickadees and Eastern Bluebirds can nest as early as February in North Carolina. I usually clean out boxes at the end of each brood or at the end of the season if bluebirds move in. Depending on the season, habitat and natural food availability, January is a peak time for bird feeders. Many wild seeds and fruits that the birds have been feeding on since the fall are depleted and most of the insects are inactive or active only on warm days. Keep your feeders and suet cages stocked at all times to keep attracting birds. Don't forget about water sources too, this is also a great time to clean or upgrade birdbaths because the birds and other wildlife will find it quicker in the winter since natural water is scarce. 

 

Late Winter To do List 

• Install new bird houses (especially purple martin housing and bluebird boxes) 
• Clean, modify or repair existing birdhouses 
• Mow habitat gardens and clip back perennials for next spring 
• Begin to sow seeds for wildflowers 
• Plant any trees or shrubs if you haven't done so 
• Keep feeders filled 
• Clean and maintain birdbaths and prevent them from freezing 

Cavity Nesting Birds 

Great Crested Flycatcher in flight singing
dawn song
April 2011

Eastern Screech Owl- February to March 

Barn Owl- Anytime especially winter 

American Kestrel-May to June 

Red Headed Woodpecker-June-September

Red Bellied Woodpecker-March-September

Downy/Hairy Woodpecker-March-April

Pileated WoodpeckerMarch-May

Flicker-March-July

Great Crested Flycatcher-May-June

Purple Martin-Early March 

Tree Swallow-April 

Carolina Chickadee-February to April 

Tufted Titmouse-March to July 

White Breasted Nuthatch-March-April

Brown Headed Nuthatch-February to April 

Red Breasted Nuthatch-February to March 

Carolina Wren-April-July 

House Wren-May-July 

Winter Wren-March-April 
European Starling-March-April

Prothonotary Warbler-May-June 

House Finch-May, July, sometime September

House Sparrow (Pest) Anytime but usually March to September