Looking for something safe to do while social distancing and quarantined? Turn to the birds. Right now during migration, you may be surprised to see a few birds in your backyard you weren’t expecting. Before you get started, be sure to download the Audubon Bird Guide app to help you along your birding way. Here are a few ways to relieve stress, get out, take in nature, and possibly learn a few new things:

1. Do a backyard bird count: help scientists learn more about bird populations. On a pretty day, sit outside for 15 minutes and record all the birds you see. If you can’t make it outside, you can look through your window and record your findings. Put your data into ebird.org and contribute to data collection to help scientists. Anyone can take part in a backyard bird count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard.
2. Go on a solo bird walk: grab your binoculars, pen, paper, mosquito repellant, and head to a nearby park. If you are looking for popular bird watching destinations to visit, check out the Birder’s Guide to Louisiana. For new birders, here is a how-to guide on birding.
3. Bird bingo: a great way to get kids involved in birding and learn more about birds is bird bingo. You can make up your own or check out Bird Bingo by Laurence King Publishing.
4. Build nest boxes: spring is time to clean out bird houses, and at-home activities could include building new ones. Here is a quick and easy guide on building a protective and functional nest box for birds.
5. Make hummingbird nectar: hummingbirds may be little, but they work hard. Help them replenish by making your own hummingbird nectar. Follow this simple recipe that includes just water, sugar, a spoon, and bowl to bring hummingbirds to your feeder.
6. Research native plants: if you don’t already have native plants, we do not suggest going out to buy them now; however, you can research native plants for your area with Audubon’s Native Plant Database Tool. Planting native plants will attract and protect the birds you love while making your space beautiful, easy to care for, better for the environment, and help create bird-friendly communities.

Please note that Audubon Louisiana has experts that are willing to go on camera and speak more about any of the above topics.

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Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Audubon Louisiana works daily to engage, conserve, restore and protect important areas shared by birds and people. See more at LA.Audubon.org.