March is here, and nature is beginning to wake from its hibernation. You’ll hear more bird sounds as the sunlight is longer and warmer. Have you ever wondered what bird is making all that racket?
Maybe you already know, or perhaps you just wish it would be quiet so you can get another hour of sleep. If it’s the latter, I’d love for you to take a moment to appreciate what it means when you hear that sound.
A 2022 study led by researcher Emil Stobbe showed birdsongs improved people’s mood, while traffic noise decreased it. The study, done on nearly 300 people, showed a decrease in depression, anxiety and paranoia after people listened to birds.
There are many opportunities to improve your mood with the abundance of birds in Blaine and Birch Bay. During this time of the year, birds become more active, scouting territories and beginning their courtship rituals.
One bird in the area, chickadees, twitter as they group forage, sounding as though they’re gossiping and laughing, but freezing if they hear a high-pitched “chickadee-dee-dee” predator call. Their classic “chickadee-dee” call lets everyone know that all is clear. You may even hear the lone high-low “fee-bee” whistle males use to call potential mates.
Another bird that has always fascinated me is the northern flicker. This brightly patterned bird is a woodpecker that forages on the ground instead of drumming into trees for insects. However, it does enjoy drumming on metal such as your gutters. The sound is perfect for announcing its territory to other male flickers in the area.
If you’re interested in learning more about birds, The Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival will be held in Blaine Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16. You can attend talks about the owls of the northwest or the ecology of hummingbirds. There will be a birding expo open to the public featuring vendors, live raptor presentations and free kids’ activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Blaine Community Pavilion, 635 8th Street.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 will show a free movie about birding called “The Big Year,” starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson at 7 p.m. Friday, March 21 at the Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Bring a chair or pillows for the movie – the popcorn is free.
I hope March brings you bird sounds to identify and improve your mood as spring begins.
Laura Nesse is the naturalist and activity coordinator at Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2.
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