Get Ready for a Fun-filled Season in Your Backyard

You made it through winter, and as a reward, the next few months will bring some of nature’s most spectacular gifts.

 Spring migration brings a show with an ever-changing cast of characters passing through your yard, including hummingbirds, orioles and warblers. Next comes nesting season, a time to watch for bird parents bringing their noisy fledglings to your feeders. And it's fun to watch the adults, busy in your backyard habitat, as they glean pollinating insects to feed their ever-impatient youngsters.

May birds to watch in Central Illinois

The bird parade is in full swing! May is arguably the most exciting month for birding in Central Illinois. Migration peaks, nesting begins, and your backyard can become a pit stop or permanent home for dozens of species.

First up: warblers. So many warblers. While yellow-rumped warblers stuck around in April, now they’re joined by their more colorful cousins, American redstarts flick their tails like tiny flamenco dancers, black-throated green warblers glow like sunlight through pine needles, and magnolia warblers show up dressed for a garden party. These beauties don’t stay long, so keep your eyes on the trees.

Baltimore orioles have arrived in style. That flash of orange and black against the new green leaves? Unmistakable. Hang an oriole feeder with some grape jelly or orange halves and you might make a new friend.

You’ll also hear the rose-breasted grosbeak singing its rich, robin-like warble. The males look like they’ve dipped their chest in a pot of rose tea, definitely a showstopper at your feeders.

Hummingbirds are back, too! Ruby-throated hummingbirds, our only local hummer species, are zipping through. Keep those nectar feeders clean and filled with a simple 4:1 water-to-sugar mix. No red dye needed.

On the ground, gray catbirds are mewing from the shrubs (yes, they really do sound like cats), and Swainson’s thrushes might pause in your yard on their way north, their haunting flutelike calls adding mystery to evening walks.

Looking for a hidden gem? Listen for the wood thrush deep in the woods, or catch a scarlet tanager high in the canopy, a brilliant red bird with jet-black wings that somehow still manages to be elusive.

By month’s end, many birds will be nesting. If you’ve got a birdhouse, now’s the time to clean it out and check for activity. Chickadees, wrens, and bluebirds are all house-hunting.

Need help attracting all these guests? We’ve got nectar, suet, mealworms, jelly, and all the right feeders to make your yard a hotspot this May. Come by the store and we’ll help you set the table for the spring crowd!

May is for the birds, and your budget!

Spring birds are arriving, and so are the savings!

This month, thru 05/11/2025, you can:

• Take $10 off a $60 purchase
• Get $20 off when you spend $100
• Save $40 off purchases of $200 or more

From feeders to fresh seed, it's the perfect time to stock up.

See all the details on our [Store Specials page] and plan your visit today!

Live Raptor Series

 The Illinois Raptor Center of Decatur will present every other month starting February 22. Our February program kicks off at 9 a.m. and features a live Red-Tailed Hawk. Seating is limited, so please call or visit the store to reserve your spot. If you’re unable to attend after reserving, we kindly ask that you let us know so others can take advantage of the opportunity.

 

 

Dates and raptors for the year are:

April 26 Barn Owl

June 28 Ferruginous Hawk

August 30 Great Horned owl

October 25 Snowy Owl

 

  Red Tailed Hawk

 

 

The Perfect Gift for Every Nature Lover

Every nature lover is different, so finding the ideal gift for them can be difficult. That's why our gift cards are the perfect gift for every occasion. They allow your friend or loved one to choose what part of nature he or she wants to enjoy. The best part: our gift cards are redeemable at every Wild Birds Unlimited location.