Did you hear that? We may be in the deepest part of the winter but don’t tell that to the birds.

Some are already getting prepared for the busy season ahead; it sounds like music to the ears. I’ve been hearing male White-breasted Nuthatches calling regularly for a couple of weeks. They give a rapid, nasal hank-hank-hank-hank-hank call to attract a mate. Male Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are drumming for their mates, finding the resonance from a hollow tree or even a metal exhaust vent on a building to their liking. They don’t mind the tinny sound but the local residents might have a different response.

And then there are birds that are actively nest building. Common Ravens have been courting for weeks and a few have started setting up nests on high perches like farm silos or tall structures in urban areas. Soon we’ll all be enjoying spring activity, once we get through the next cold snap.

Happy Birding!

By Brian Morin

Publisher of Ontario Birding News