Billions of birds winging their way across California

As you read this, billions of birds are traveling along the Pacific Flyway. Each spring from March to June, birds of every kind – songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds – fly from their winter homes to their summer breeding grounds. Along the way they encounter many perils including bright lights and tall buildings, cats and toxic lawns. Fortunately, people can help ensure a safer journey for migrating birds.

“California backyards and gardens become resting stops for many species of birds,” explains Dan Taylor, Audubon California Executive Director. “Spring is a great time to make your home bird-friendly.”

Audubon urges people to take the following actions this spring:

1) Reduce or eliminate pesticide and herbicide use. Using fewer chemicals in your yard and home helps keep wildlife, pets and people healthy. 

2) Plant native plants.  Natives provide birds with food in the form of fruit and seeds, and are also home to tasty invertebrates like bugs and spiders. 

4) Make your windows visible to birds to prevent collisions. Put up screens, close drapes and blinds when you leave the house, or stick multiple decals on the glass (decals need to be no more than two to four inches apart to be effective). 

5) Let your yard get a little messy! Leave snags for nesting places and stack downed tree limbs to create a brush pile, which is a great source of cover for birds during bad weather. 

6)  Close your blinds at night and turn off lights you aren’t using. Some birds use constellations to guide them on their annual migrations, and bright lights can disrupt them.

7) Create or protect water sources in your yard--birds need water to drink and bathe in, just like we do. Be sure to change the water two to three times per week when mosquitoes are breeding.

8) Use lots of layers, including understory, ground cover, shrubs, and trees. Multiple levels of plants let birds use different layers for different purposes, such as nesting, feeding, and singing.

Read more about Pacific migration, and track the birds’ journey by visiting http://ca.audubon.org/welcome-pacific-migration.

About Audubon California 

Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.

More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org. 

Contact:

Daniela Ogden, Marketing and Communications Manager
510.601.1866 X. 231