Carolina Bird Gardens and More: Birding during the Covid 19 Era

During these difficult times, it has become more difficult for us to go about our daily lives and many things we took for granted are on hold. For me that includes going out into nature or being part of birding trips or volunteer opportunities during the weekends. Despite the “stay-at-home” orders and the onset of this new virus, we can always stay connected to nature from our own gardens, dooryards, or the local park.

This Hermit Thrush greets us with song each morning.

As a casual or “window birder” and a gardener, I enjoy looking at birds and other wildlife in my garden and around my city more than going out to faraway places. Even if the big trip to the National Park or to another birding mecca is out of the question, there are more bird species that live in cities, towns, and suburbs than we think. Take these next few weeks, or months to observe the birds and other inhabitants in your garden or local park, while social distancing. Continue maintaining your bird tables or feeders, and attract local species with plantings, birdhouses, water features, and other creative ideas. Lastly, just keep your eyes and ears open as Spring Migration is bringing in a lot of good stuff to the Wilmington area.

How to Birdwatch during the Pandemic

1. Take this time to study field guides, visit online sites such as Cornell All About Birds, or even just googling bird species you see at your feeders

2. Take morning walks or enjoy your coffee, tea, or breakfast in your garden or patio. Don’t forget the binoculars

3. If allergies are not a problem, this is a perfect time to open your window in the mornings to hear the chorus of birds

4. If you haven’t, already, put out a bird table or feeder in your garden. Most stores still allow you to order or pick up bird food, feeders, or other equipment via online sites

5. Watch birdhouses for nesting bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, or flycatchers, while cardinals, thrashers, thrushes, and orioles often nest in trees or shrubs.

6. If they are open in your county, city, or state, go to a city or county park to walk, bike, or birdwatch. Nature trails, and some state parks also remain open. Remember to social distance.

7. Study the behaviors of resident birds in your garden. I find species such as Carolina Wrens, chickadees, thrushes, thrashers, and even urban House Sparrow populations as fascinating as going to find rare species in a forest

8. Don’t forget to look for other wildlife such as bees, wasps, lizards, frogs, and even mammals that also continue to go about their days.

9. Photograph, record, or sketch what you see, and consider starting a nature journal. These photographs are all taken with an iPad through a pair of binoculars.

Some Encouraging Finds from Greenfield Lake