![\"northern](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/northern-thrush-1209015163-1100x640.jpg\")
By mid-March, many bird species are already migrating north from their overwintering sites. You can welcome them home by ensuring your property is a safe space for our winged friends.<\/p>\n
Every year in Canada, approximately 25 million birds fatally collide with the windows of homes, offices, stores, cottages and buildings. Windows can deceive birds by reflecting the outdoors or showing indoor plants through clear glass. You can help reduce collisions<\/a> by adding visual markers to your windows to make them more visible to birds. Safe Wings Ottawa has helpful tips<\/a> for purchasing collision deterrent products or making your own at home.<\/p>\n As the snow starts to melt, many of us are eager to get outside and spring clean our yards. But be mindful when trimming trees or hedges, clearing brush or filling holes in the ground. Wildlife may have been taking shelter in these spots through winter, and birds may have already started building their nests. Before trimming, cutting, clearing, raking or mowing, carefully check your yard for any hidden wildlife friends.<\/p>\n The arrival of spring is an exciting time for gardeners \u2013 you\u2019re likely already tidying your yard, planning your plots and perhaps even purchasing bulbs and seeds. As you prep your garden, be sure to keep pollinators in mind. Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are essential to our ecosystems and food production. Unfortunately, many wild pollinator populations are declining, largely due to habitat loss, intensive agricultural practices and pesticide use.<\/p>\n The good news is that you can create vital habitat for our threatened pollinators by planning a pollinator-friendly garden. Our website has plenty of resources to help you create a garden oasis for pollinators<\/a>, including by choosing a diversity of native flowers abundant with nectar and pollen. Be sure to do a little research before making your garden shopping list!<\/p>\n When temperatures start to consistently rise above zero, bat species that hibernate start to rouse from their winter slumber. If you discover bats in the attic of your home in spring, they may have just returned from their winter hibernation or (much less likely) they may have been quietly overwintering there.<\/p>\n In either case, the females may be pregnant. Bat species mate in the fall but fertilization typically occurs months later in spring. For bat species that don\u2019t hibernate, pregnant females may still be around during spring as they look for a safe place to give birth.<\/p>\n Evicting bats from your home can put these small mammals at risk, especially if they\u2019re pregnant or nursing a pup. Several species of Canada\u2019s bats<\/a> are already endangered as a result of habitat loss and the deadly white-nose syndrome, so we need to do our part to help them.<\/p>\n If you are uncomfortable cohabitating with bats, consult our tips<\/a> on the safest, most humane way to remove them and be sure to only engage wildlife control companies who abide by these. You can also install a bat house on your property<\/a> to provide bats with an alternative roosting site.<\/p>\n We hope these tips help you keep any wildlife visitors safe this season.<\/p>\nWatch for Wildlife<\/h3>\n
![\"rabbits\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/bunnies-rabbits-685799268-1100x640.jpg\")
Plant for Pollinators<\/h3>\n
![\"bumblebee](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/bumblebee-pink-flower-spring-sarah-coulber-1100x640.jpg\")
Help the Bats<\/h3>\n
![\"nursing](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/nursing-bat-karen-vanderwolf-1100x640.jpg\")
Which species are you most excited to see return to your backyard? Let us know in the comments.<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"