May

Birds are in full migration! Some birds are already nesting while those returning from their wintering grounds are rapidly settling in and thinking about where they’ll raise their young. If you pay attention, many of the native plants are blooming in alignment with the birds returning and the pollinators emerging. This “symphony” is remarkable. This is why our native habitat is so critical, it is already in tune with your “regional music.” Listen, watch, and get planting or tending!

Gardening for birds is a journey, not a destination. Pick a few things to do this month as you welcome the birds back.

Bright blue birds on a flowering crab apple tree with white and pink buds.
Indigo Bunting foraging on blooming crab apple (Malus). Photo by Matthew Sabourin / Macaulay Library. While many apple varieties are nonnative, there are species of native crab apples that behave well in many gardens providing earlier spring blooms for migrants foraging for insects or even consuming petals as depicted here. In the fall, small fruits are consumed by migrants and winter residents. Crab apples planted near common eating apples often help with pollination.

Garden Checklist

Warm Regions:

Southern U.S. Regions

  • Look for Plant Sales — there’s always room to add more plant diversity!
    • Areas in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Hawaii, Florida, and parts of the southeast are getting late for spring planting. Local nurseries may be running sales.
  • Water is critical, for birds and new plants!
    • Add water, if necessary to newly planted plants.
    • Add a water feature, be it bird bath, rain garden, wetland, or pond.

Cool Regions: 

Rest of Regions in U.S. / CA

  • Take your time Northern Canada and snow-covered or waterlogged areas.
    • Delay any clean-up as long as possible, and leave as much on site as you can.
  • Watch the forecast and time your plantings.
    • Spring can be tricky for planting. Look for stretches above freezing for consecutive nights to help plants establish.
    • Plant in the afternoon right before rain is predicted.
    • Explore local nurseries for more plants.
    • Share plants with neighbors and friends.

All Regions:

See More Participant Photos
Garden where nonnatives are being replaced with all natives.
Ambitious gardener in Pennsylvania has challenged themselves to remove all nonnative plants in these gardens and make it 100% native. Photo by Michael Schultheis.
Less Lawn More Life Logo
In partnership with Less Lawn More Life, we are on a quest to shrink the nonnative green stuff to biodiverse spaces.
Western Screech-Owl using a nestbox.
This Western Screech-Owl nest box in Montana invites resident screech owls to nest on our property and gives them a cavity in an area where cavities are sparse. Photo by Dottie Herring.

Bird Safety Tips

Turn Lights Out!

May is a peak month for migrating birds, as many species continue their journey to nesting habitats and begin nesting. Adding native plants to your garden now will provide them with food and shelter on their return migration in the fall. Peak migration season is also an important time to turn your attention to reducing light pollution around your home. Did you know that many bird species migrate at night? They become disoriented by artificial lights, often landing in urban or suburban areas where they are then at a greater risk of colliding with glass by day.

  • Turn off unnecessary lights both inside and outside.
  • Dim the lights you need to keep on.
  • Switch cold, blue light to warmer, or yellower light.
  • Select fittings which keep light focused and pointed downwards to light the spot where it is needed most.

Did you treat your windows to make them visible to birds? Or add other bird-friendly features? Share them with us.

Share Bird-friendly Feature Photos
House with lights on.
Apartment with only one light on.
No matter where you live, turn lights off to minimize distractions for migrating birds. Photos from UpSplash / CC.

Featured Plant & Bird

Common Name: Ocotillo

Scientific Name: Fouquieria splendens

Native to: AZ , CA , NM , NV , TX

Plant characteristics: Perennial, shrubby cactus

Growing conditions: Part-shade in dry rocky, sandy soil. Tolerates drought.

Benefits to Birds & Biodiversity: Attracts a variety of hummingbirds, songbirds, and mammals. The nectar is a favorite among desert pollinators.

Brown, gray, and white mottled bird with a yellow throat and yellow on wings balancing on the stalk of a dry pointy stalk with bright orange flower.
Yellow-rumped Warbler on blooming ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) by Bryan Calk / Macaulay Library.

Additional Resources

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