Spring migration is in full swing and soon our favourite songbirds will either be passing through on their way north or staying locally to breed. It is the brightly coloured males with a fresh spring wardrobe that attract the most attention. The black and orange of the Baltimore Oriole, black and red of the American Redstart and crimson red with black wings of the Scarlet Tanager all make a visual statement to prospective mates and competing males.

Add to these a myriad of other warblers, thrushes, flycatchers and finches and you have a wide selection of interesting birds to grab your attention in the month of May. Your bird houses should be up for Tree Swallows and House Wrens and don’t forget your hummingbird feeder – one part sugar to four parts water with no food colouring. We have waited a long time for this.

Happy Birding!

By Brain Morin 

Publisher of Ontario Birding News