It may only be February, but the birds know that spring is just around the corner!

Want to watch our feathered friends usher in a change of season? Here’s just a sampling of what to expect:

• Early February: Killdeer are among the earliest birds to arrive in Kansas.
• Late February: Waterfowl species switch over, with winter residents moving out and other species moving in to take their place. Also, a few phoebes may appear along the southern state line.
• Mid-March: All right, so prairie chickens are not migratory. But in some parts of the state their noisy courtship ritual is considered a sign of spring. Also, sandhill crane populations peak about this time as they prepare to move north.
• Late March: While some purple martins might show up earlier in the month, the bulk of the migrants appear about this time. Also, herons and egrets begin to return to their rookeries.
• Mid-April: Shorebirds appear in peak numbers.
• Late April: Many flycatcher and warbler species arrive.
• Early May: Peak warbler populations frequently found about this time.

Exact dates vary depending on the weather.

So keep your feeders full and your binoculars handy!  It won’t be long before we start seeing migratory birds coming and going again.

Helpful Resource

The Guide to Kansas Birds and Birding Hot Spots
Find more information on what to expect when in this handy guide. Read our full review.