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After wintering in South America, the gregarious purple martins are on their way back, and several sightings of adult birds have already occurred in Texas and south Florida (mid January 2010). By mid March, expect martins to be arriving in northern Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and the Virginias.

The first arrivals in a given area are adult scouts, who are returning to the nests they occupied the year before. Most are not seeking new nesting, and will bypass vacant nesting on their way to their previous nests. Yearlings, also called sub adults begin arriving four to ten weeks after the first adults have arrived.

Bird watching can be one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences, but it can also be the most frustrating. The first challenge is to simply find the bird. Then, you must be able to follow its rapid movements through the trees or across a field.

Binoculars that work well for boaters, hikers or hunters won’t necessarily be the best for birding. Look for a pair with a bright image to help distinguish subtle features, particularly in dim light. Also, being able to focus them quickly is a must.

Feeding wild birds is easy and fun. It’s educational, enjoyable, even mesmerizing, and there’s the satisfaction of providing food and habitat for their well being. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple ideas for enjoying wild birds this summer.

Some claim that feeding wild birds increases their dependency on handouts and chances of predation. However, a study of chickadees in Wisconsin indicated that chickadees, at least, do not become dependent on food provided in the winter time. At the same time, the study indicated that there was no significant benefit to the birds by feeding them in winter, except in rare cases of extremely severe weather. Birds seem to be extremely adaptable in finding food. They will obviously take advantage of a free handout, but if food is removed, they simply go elsewhere or revert to feeding on natural seeds and insects.

The chirping birds of winter are bursting into spring song. They awaken us before first light with their beautiful music. The melodies signal the start of the mating season, and the males are singing their hearts out to attract a desirable female.

Displays of brighter colors and mating rituals haven’t changed, but the search for a safe and proper nesting place is becoming more of a challenge. With the ever increasing loss of habit, as a result of man’s desire to clear land for housing and industry, many birds that depend on tree cavities for nesting are now homeless.

Do you have kids who are interested in science – especially with regard to birds in the wild? Are they curious to know more about the different species of birds that come to a feeder or other areas in the yard? If so, plan to participate in a free, educational activity that makes a difference! It’s a fun activity for kids of all ages and an opportunity to get outside and connect with nature at a time of year when many just stay inside.