March is an exciting month for Southern California birdwatchers and anyone who enjoys nature. It’s the time of year when nesting activity really picks up, migrants are seen along the Pacific Flyway, and visitors come to delight us for a new season.
Starting about the middle of the month, you may begin seeing some larger birds trying to drink from your hummingbird feeder. Don’t be alarmed, these are the Hooded Orioles, taking in nutrition after the journey north. These master weavers are here to build nests in palm trees and will stay to raise their young through August. To attract them to your yard, you can put out a specialty oriole feeder with nectar and the grape-berry jelly they love.
Black-headed Grosbeaks also start moving through the area mid-to-late March. They love sunflower seeds and will be searching for feeders that offer them this treasure. You will enjoy seeing the bright orange and black color of both the Grosbeaks and Hooded Orioles as they flash through your yard.
The Lesser Goldfinches are very active at feeders this month, as they prepare for nesting ahead. This is a good time to keep your Nyjer feeder full and maybe add another one to accommodate the larger groups. The American Goldfinches have molted and are showing off their brightest yellow and black plumage for all to enjoy.
Parents and caregivers can take advantage of this active time to introduce their kids to nature and teach about our wild birds, migration, and nesting. One easy way to get started is to hang out a bird feeder in a location where you and your kids can see it easily, such as in a kitchen window or patio where you like to sit. Invest in a guide with pictures, such as Backyard Birds of Southern California to start identifying the birds you see. Don’t worry so much about the names, just be a good observer of the sights, sounds, and activity around you. You can make a feeder together with your kids, or, if you can’t do a feeder, consider a nesting box or bird bath and watch the fun begin.
By Julie Rensink Hanson
Call the Wild Bird Unlimited Nature Shop at 424-272-9000, or go online to www.wbu.com/santamonica for more information.