Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

When you think of birdwatching, you may be inclined to picture a group of people of a certain age walking slowly along a trail, most wearing a bucket hat and a vest of some sort. As they meander slowly along a trail, they periodically stop, look up to the treetops and lift their trusty binoculars to their eyes, excitedly whispering to their fellow birders about what they are seeing.

And you likely are not alone in picturing this! Birdwatching has a bit of a reputation as the hobby of choice for retirees, a passtime reserved for “later in life”, if you will. As a thirty-something who has been fascinated by birds her whole life and who has taken to birdwatching more seriously in the past decade, I am inviting a shift in perspective that just might have you reaching for that dusty pair of binoculars you almost relegated to this year’s yard sale pile…

Birds as a Gateway to Nature

Birds “connect us with here and there, with then and now, as they chatter outside our windows or soar past our lives” (Slow Birding, Joan E. Strassman). In a time where our connection with nature can feel tenuous, birds offer a means of reaffirming the existence of wild animal life amidst our daily human existence.

Whether flitting from bush to feeder in your backyard, singing from the depths of the forest as you walk the trail or paddling leisurely in an urban park pond, birds are very much present in our lives, providing an accessible way of acknowledging, appreciating and connecting with the natural world.

Give Birdwatching or “Birding” a Try this Spring

Birdwatching is sometimes slightly more challenging (possibly downright discouraging) because we tend to hear birds much more often than we actually see them. And while identifying birds based on their song is a rewarding endeavour all its own, it can be frustrating and might not be the best starting point for the “birding curious”.

That being said, there are indeed more opportune times for bird watching.

In April and May, while many eagerly await the arrival of summer, others are completely content with the spring window of opportunity for birding. Not only are various migratory species returning from overwintering grounds making for a rich diversity of species, but the trees and skies are simply buzzing with activity as our feathered friends forage, claim territories, court mates and begin building nests. Spring is primteline and the possibilities for observation are endless!

The added bonus earlier on in spring: the treetops are still relatively bare making it MUCH easier to spot birds as they go about their activities.

Taking the above into consideration – if ever there was a time to try your hand at birdwatching, this is the time of year!

Where and How to Start

If you are even the slightest bit intrigued, here are a few tips for dipping your toe into the wondrous world of birdwatching this spring:

• Location: Choose a place you already frequent. This could be a nearby park, beach or even the birdfeeder in your own backyard. It is fun to visit new places and discover the wildlife that inhabit them, but starting with somewhere close by that you visit often ensures you have regular occasions to engage with the species of that area and practice your skills.
• Approach:
  • Brush up on your bird vocabulary. It is much easier to describe something when you are able to use the correct terminology. Start broad with what the Cornell Lab of Ornithology deems the main divisions:
    • Beak (or bill)
    • Head
    • Back
    • Throat
    • Breast
    • Wings
    • Tail
    • Legs

• • Start with species you already “know”. Take a step back and imagine you are seeing them for the first time. You may immediately recognize a Blue Jay, for instance… but have you ever stopped to consider what makes a Blue Jay… a Blue Jay?
  • Practice careful observation before jumping to identification. As humans, we have the tendency to want to name everything as quickly as possible. Resist the urge to jump to conclusions as you observe the birds that cross your path. Some cues for guiding that careful observation, as outlined by The Cornell Lab:
    • Size: What size is the bird relative to species you know? Say you are seeing a Blue Jay for the first time. Size-wise it is larger than a Sparrow, but smaller than a Crow. It is roughly the same size as a Robin.
    • Shape: What about its body shape? A Blue Jay may be similar in size to a Robin, but what features of its body shape can help set it apart? One noteworthy feature could be its crest. It also has less of a pronounced belly than the Robin.
    • Colour Pattern: What stands out first? The Blue Jay’s vivid blue is certainly not one we come across in all birds. Beyond that, where do we notice contrast? Its face, breast, and belly are white save for one stark marking: a black “chin strap”.
    • Behaviour: A few times observing Blue Jays and you may remark that they are quite vocal and far from shy when it comes to taking up space at feeders, for instance.

• Equipment: Start with what you already have. If you have a pair of binoculars or can borrow one, great! If not, practice birdwatching with the naked eye. Especially if you have access to a birdfeeder, this can be much more effective than you might think. I also recommend keeping a journal where you keep track of your observations, whether in writing, sketches or both! One of the best parts of birdwatching is that it requires relatively little investment – mostly just your time and attention. The bucket hat and vest can come later 😉

Above all else, slowing down and refining your birdwatching process ensures that it slowly becomes more intuitive. This makes the experience of encountering new species all the more rewarding and enjoyable as you find yourself increasingly adept at narrowing down the identification possibilities and admiring the wide diversity of species in your very own backyard.

Like with many things in life, the fact birds are so present and available might make us more inclined to disregard them as background features. Life gets busy, time passes quickly and stopping to truly take note of what’s happening around us is a tendency that takes practice. Each opportunity to engage with birds invites one to slow down, engage the senses, get curious and observe carefully.

Consider this as encouragement to all from the birding curious to the seasoned birders to seize these opportunities, even if only from time to time, as they result in boundless peace, wonder, and joy, reminding us of our interconnectedness and shared dependence on this beautiful planet.

Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

• Migratory
• Forage
• Court
• Crest

References

– Building Skills: The 4 Keys to Bird Identification by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Cornell University)

Written by Jessica Adams (Nature Nerding)
Reading time: 5-6 minutes

Every seasonal transition has its own flavour, but perhaps the most highly anticipated transition is the one from winter to spring. After months of cold, snow and fleeting sunlight, there is nothing quite like the elation one feels at the first taste of spring.

We start noticing subtle hints mid-winter… but what are the cues indicating change is truly coming? The days get longer, the temperatures warm… and the natural world responds in kind with its own array of displays and transformations reassuring us that spring is indeed in full swing.

This month we are inviting you to slow down so as to notice and perhaps even acquaint yourselves with a few spring classics:

VERNAL POOLS – MORE THAN SPRINGTIME FOREST PUDDLES

As a child, I remember a certain time of year when the forest would suddenly be full of “ponds”. This was an exciting time as the possibilities for play and exploration were multiplied tenfold! What I did not realize, however, was how important these ephemeral habitats are to the ecosystem.

Vernal pools are small bodies of freshwater that naturally form in low-lying areas in the forest thanks to rain and snow melt. Though temporary by nature, these seasonal wetland habitats are critical for a variety of species. One reason for this is that they have the unique feature of not containing certain predators, such as fish, due to the fact they are isolated from other bodies of water. As such, frogs, salamanders and fairy shrimp rely on these havens to complete their life cycles with a significantly lower threat of having their eggs or other life stages eaten.

According to Nature Conservancy of Canada, vernal pools are under threat. While their seasonal nature has always implied a certain level of unpredictability, factors such as climate change and habitat loss and degradation are taking their toll on the viability of these habitats. Pools do not last as long, do not swell to as big a size, or – in some cases – do not form at all due to changes in rainfall or landscape. This can mean pool-dependent species suffer from higher resource competition or lack of space (in the case of smaller pools) or simply do not have enough time to complete their lifecycle (in the case of shorter pool lifespan).

Invitation – One of the most beautiful things about nature is the inherent purpose of every element in a system, no matter how trivial it might seem to the untrained eye. Vernal pools are no exception. This spring, as the snow gives way to damp leaf litter and mud, see if you can notice the forming of vernal pools in the forests you frequent. Stop and take the time to see if you can spot any of the critters that typically occupy them. Consider the temporary world you are witnessing and how, within a few weeks, it will disappear, not without first fulfilling a vital role in the surrounding ecosystem.

SKUNK CABBAGE – A REAL BOTANICAL TRAILBLAZER

Most flowering plants wait to bloom once the threat of snow has more or less passed, but one of our local flowering plants has other plans. Keen to claim its place in the moister sections of the forest floor, this plant slowly begins to emerge from the still-frozen ground…

One of few plants capable of thermogenesis, the Skunk Cabbage is able to grow and thrive in snowier conditions. The flower absorbs oxygen and transforms it into heat, which melts the snow surrounding the plant, protects the plant’s cells from freezing and provides a favourable microenvironment for its flowers to develop.

Very cool. But why? What is the advantage of showing up so early to the party – especially when there is still snow to contend with? Simply put, the Skunk Cabbage fills a niche that is otherwise unoccupied. It may not look like your conventional flowering plant, but its blooms are one of the first available food sources to pollinators. Named for the pungent odour it emits, meant to resemble that of decomposing flesh, Skunk Cabbage appeals to flies and gnats primarily. However, other insects such as beetles and bees may find themselves visiting the plant either because it is a rare food source for the time of year or, it is speculated, because of its warmth.

Invitation – At a time when many other species are laying low, waiting for more favourable conditions, the Skunk Cabbage challenges what we think we know about the growing season in our climate. I encourage you to set yourself the goal of finding Skunk Cabbage in a humid wooded area near you. Beyond its ability to act as a botanical space heater, it is a flower of stunning character. Bring a magnifying glass with you – what can you learn simply by observing closely with the help of all your senses?

THE SOUNDS OF SPRING – A MULTI-SPECIES SYMPHONY

What does spring sound like? For me it sounds like…

• a cacophony of “chicks” and trills rising up from the reeds in the morning sun
• a whistle and whisper on the wind high above your head as the sky slowly darkens
• a lone, almost hesitant “cluck” in the mild night air, eventually followed by a resounding chorus of croaks

Of course, the sounds we associate with spring depend on the habitats that surround us, who occupy them and at what precise moment of spring we choose to tune in. Even then, the exact composition can differ according to the day, hour, weather and so much more.

Spring is a time of awakening, homecoming and preparation which has the natural world abuzz with activity. Territories being claimed, food being foraged, mates being wooed – everything has a sound that goes along with it. So what is the soundtrack to spring in your neighborhood?

Invitation – Two taxa that take centre stage in the background soundtrack to spring are birds and amphibians. Who do you notice in your surroundings? Below is a list of species you may just be able to hear this spring. Click the link associated with each one, listen carefully and see if you can detect their sounds amidst the ever-evolving chorus throughout April and May.

1. Red-winged blackbird
2. American robin
3. Ruffed grouse
4. American woodcock
5. Wilson’s snipe (winnow)
6. Wood frog
7. Spring peeper
8. American toad

At first, it can be challenging to learn how to recognize a species by its sound which is why I recommend learning one at a time. It helps to keep a journal where you not only describe the sound but take note of when you hear it (date and time of day) and where you hear it. This helps you contextualize the sound and also observe any changes from one point in the season to another. Bonus: if you keep a journal this year, you can look back on it next year and compare!

Sometimes we are so focused on the destination of ‘summertime’ that we forget to enjoy the journey that is the spring. Consider this an invitation to slow down more than usual this spring and soak in all of the signs of the natural world re-awakening.

Build Your Nature Vocabulary

Use the text and search the web to build your nature vocabulary and try using it the next time you’re out and about in nature, either making observations by yourself or with friends!

• Vernal
• Fairy shrimp
• Thermogenesis
• Niche
• Taxa (singular, taxon)

References

– Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England par Mary Holland
– Maine Department of Environmental Protection – Fact Sheet Vernal Pools: A Significant Wildlife Habitat
– Nature Conservancy of Canada – Vernal pools (Part One)
– National Wildlife Federation – Skunk Cabbage
– University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Horticulture – Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus