Tucson, Arizona

DeeDeeNature Happenings - March

  • March 1 – 31: Project FeederWatch continues
  • March 14: Daylight Savings Time – "spring forward"
  • March 15: New Moon, March 29: Full Moon
  • March 20: Vernal Equinox – almost equal amounts of day and night
  • Pyrrhuloxia and cardinals begin fledging babies late this month.
  • Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds are fledging.
  • Lesser Goldfinches are gathering nesting materials.

Make March Less Stressful for Birds

Simply put, March can be a very difficult month for your birds.

Birds' natural food supply is at its lowest point of the year. Insect populations are still low, and the few remaining wild fruits, berries, seeds and nuts are either hidden or undesirable. Unpredictable weather doesn't make life any easier. Sunny, warm, spring-like days can turn into cold, damp conditions that challenge birds' survival skills. And to make matters worse, this is all happening as some birds prepare for nesting season.

However, these various challenges provide you with a wonderful opportunity to help your birds.

Offer your birds lots of high-energy foods, such as peanuts and suet. Loaded with fat and protein, these are beneficial substitutes for the scarce insects many birds would eat if they could find them.

Counteract the lack of natural insects by offering protein-rich mealworms. They're eaten by numerous bird species and can be a lifesaver during a sudden cold snap.

Birds build open-cup shaped nests in trees or on the ground, or they nest in cavities (or holes) in trees. By placing nesting materials and installing bird houses around your backyard, you can entice a variety of different birds. Bird houses can make your birds' lives a little easier. After all, they have already expended a lot of energy establishing territories, courting and looking for scarce food.

Stop by this month. From high-fat, high-protein food to quality nesting boxes, we have everything you need to help your birds be less stressed this month.