It has been a cold winter and now the first signs of spring are beginning to emerge in the form feathered friends returning home to the yard. These colorful, sometimes hilarious, creatures are returning to their spring and summertime hunting areas to mate and lay their eggs. Then, they begin the long preparations for their long journey south.

National Bird Feeding Month reminds people that birds sometimes come back early after a long journey. You should ensure they have enough food to share their beautiful voices with you all year.

John Porter, a man so concerned about the welfare and health of birds that he made a resolution in the Congressional Record, established National Bird Feeding Month in 1994. “I would like February to be recognized as National Bird Feeding Month, because it is one of the most difficult months for wild birds in the United States.

These were his words to the Speaker of House, acknowledging the importance of birds in both our ecology and in the hearts and minds all people. The singing voices of wild birds are the best way to celebrate spring.

1/3 of Americans feed birds in their yards, filling their feeders with food to welcome them home. Large birds often have a hard time finding the right food, while small birds can run out of resources. February can be a difficult month. You never know what you might find.

You can solve this problem by making sure that your bird-feeders have all the necessary nutrients to help them survive. A container of sunflower seeds can be hung in your backyard to ensure that there are singing birds all year. However, you will likely get some squirrels.

A person who is averse to squirrels will not be able to show compassion for the songbirds that live in our homes. Make sure the bird feeder is not in reach of cats. This isn’t a free meal for felines!