THIS TIME OF YEAR, birds sound louder, their voices amplified. Birds are marking territories, seeking mates. Or perhaps they are announcing their return to Minnesota or their survival of winter, even the mild one of 2023-2024.
Cardinals trill. Red-winged blackbirds and robins sing in their distinguishable voices, which I can’t quite describe. But I know them when I hear them.
When I step out my backdoor to hang laundry on the clothesline, I hear the morning birdsong, even above the drone of traffic along my busy street. When I walk at the local nature center, I hear birdsong rising from the woods, the marshes, the prairie. To hear birds singing is to hear the refrain of spring.
It’s lovely and uplifting and hopeful. And in many ways remarkable. Here are these small feathered creatures singing spring songs that captivate us with their boldness, their melody.
Each spring, without fail, I find myself listening intently to birdsong as if the song is a new release. In a way, it is. A release from winter’s grip. A release to days that are warmer and greener and teeming with life. Those are the signs, the hopes, of spring in Minnesota.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I love these signs from nature, and the sound of early morning birdsong is such a joy
The birds are sheltering today as we are getting much-needed rain. The landscape is really starting to turn green.
I love this time of year for that reason, among others
I cannot believe how an inch of rain yesterday transformed our landscape (the grass anyway) to lush green.
the magic elixir )
One thing i do miss in Texas are robins. they are beautifully colored and are lovely singers. send any good children’s book names for our grand kiddos if u think of it. young ones Ages 5, 6 , 9
enjoy your Minnesota spring!
lov kathyg
When I’m looking for kids’ books in my local library, I generally head to the new books section. I can’t think of any specific books to recommend right now. But if I do.
Enjoy your Texas spring. Ours is rainy today and much welcome as we are in a drought.
The birdsong feels like hope and renewal to me…it reminds me of wonderful childhood days outside and of all the beautiful things to come. Thank you for this post!
You are welcome, Kathy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on birdsong and its meaning to you personally.
Audrey, There’s a terrific bird ID by Cornell Lab. I’ve recorded the birdsong when I visit family and hear a variety. Our Pittsburgh birds are louder in volume too now that you bring it to my attention. We’ve mostly Song Sparrow, Robin, cardinal, blue jay, mourning dove and goldfinch. Oh and a pesky woodpecker! Here’s the link if you want to check it out. https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Thanks for that link, Ruth. And happy birdsong listening in Pittsburgh.
Nothing better than birdsong 🙂 It is bird galore down here from song birds to coastal birds to sandhill cranes. I love providing a safe haven for the birds in our yard too along with a birdie bath. The other insects, bats, and critters enjoy it too. I love having a cup of coffee and just listening to Papa Cardinal sing in the mornings – makes my day! Happy Birding – ENJOY
You have such a deep appreciation for nature in general. Thank you for sharing how you enjoy the birds in your area. Such a variety and vastly different from Minnesota.
Such a sweet shot of the robin! They have the most beautiful song.
Thank you. Yes, a beautiful song from a bird we often take for granted.
Spring is here in North Carolina. I just got my hanging ferns and the Carolina wrens are already busy building nests. The pollen is thick on the lake and the temps were in the high 70’s. My absolute favorite time of the year!
Your weather sounds lovely. We were elated to get rain yesterday and some today also. Happy spring to you!
I had to take my feeders down (bears) but we have so many birds regardless of whether I have feeders hanging. Yesterday Chris was sitting on the back deck, turned on the Merlin app and recored at least a dozen different kinds of birds in a minute and a half. I love this time of year. Your pictures are lovely as always.
That’s a whole lot of birds to record singing in one hour. Smart move to remove the bird feeder. Don’t need bears feeding in your yard.