Latest News
Now that the annual migration of birds to our shores has begun, Richmond is filled with happy fliers—and many are visible through your window.
Photo courtesy Kate Paton
Photo courtesy Kate Paton
Birdwatching: nature from the comforts of home
By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Published 12:56 PDT, Mon April 27, 2020
—
With more time spent inside, it’s easy to forget the plants and animals of our neighbourhoods. But backyard or balcony birdwatching is a good way to enjoy nature from the safety of your own home.
World Migratory Bird Day takes place annually on the second Saturday in May in Canada and the US—May 9 this year. There are many birds building nests in and around Richmond during this season, and they can be observed from indoors or on community walks while practicing physical distancing.
“It’s not a case of looking for rare species, it’s about observing what’s out there and what (you) can see in (your) backyard,” says Rich Kenny, community facilities programmer for Richmond Nature Park and Terra Nova Park.
Kenny says expensive equipment isn’t necessary, especially for young birdwatchers. Basic bird ID sheets can be found on the Internet, and he suggests printing these out and keeping them next to windows for easy bird identification.
While most birds don’t need to be fed by humans at this time of year due to the abundance of natural food sources, Kenny says people who want to watch birds up close should consider a backyard or balcony hummingbird feeder.
Photo by Hannah Scott
Birds can be spotted all around, even through your window or on a community walk.
Some of the most common birds to spot in Richmond at this time of year include chickadees, robins, sparrows, juncos, spotted towhees, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and northern flickers.
“On a good day, you’ve got a good chance of seeing eagles flying around,” says Kenny.
Enthusiastic birdwatchers can join online communities through initiatives like Project FeederWatch, which tracks participants’ individual bird feeder counts during the winter months.
iNaturalist is an online nature tracking community that allows users to identify plants and animals in their community through photographs. There is a downloadable app aimed at people of all ages, as well as an additional Seek app with a more kid-friendly approach.
2 Hours of free financial consulting
Jai Xin Planning Ltd.
C$120.00 C$0.00
Use any of our home staging service and get a second month rental for free!
MiiX Interiors
C$500.00 C$0.00
Get 10% off any order
Phantom Screens Lower Mainland
C$200.00 C$180.00
