Spring in Virginia is the season of transition. Not only are we moving away from the shorter, darker days of winter, but we’re also welcoming some new creatures into our backyards. From tiny peeper frogs to hummingbirds, butterflies, and even cicadas, Virginia experiences many seasonal migrations. Add to that list the beautiful songbird known as the neotropical warbler. While many of these traveling birds prefer to migrate at night, they do make their presence known throughout the day with beautiful songs. Here’s how you can prepare for this special migration that’s already begun here in Virginia.

There are few things that signify the arrival of spring and summertime like the beautiful songs of migrating birds. These colorful creatures are a magical sight this time of year.
Virginia State Parks / flickr
Each spring, Virginia welcomes warblers and other migrating songbirds as they travel along the Atlantic Flyway. They're identified as neotropical because they spend winters in South America and Central America.
Dennis Church / flickr
Some of the birds you can look out for include Blackburnian warblers, Rose-breasted grosbeaks, Cape May warblers, and many more.
These beautiful birds take shelter where they can find protective covering. Virginia's National Wildlife Refuges and state parks make excellent stopovers for the resting birds.
Matt Tillett / flickr

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This time of year, the birds are on a mission to find insects, which provide the necessary energy for the journey northward.
Dennis Church / flickr
Here in Virginia, the months of April and May are among the best for sighting these songbirds.
Virginia State Parks / flickr
When looking for warblers, keep in mind that they're small: approximately the size of a sparrow. A pair of binoculars will also prove to be handy.
The best news of all? You can help turn your backyard into a songbird sanctuary by growing native plants in your yard and reducing your use of harmful pesticides.
Waldo Jaquith / flickr
Other helpful tips include keeping your pet cats indoors whenever possible and also reducing the risk of bird collisions with windows. For helpful tips, click here.
The more time you can spend outdoors, the better your chances of spotting these creatures. While some will stay throughout the summer, others continue north and will not be visiting again until the fall.
Jen Goellnitz / flickr

Have you spotted any migrating songbirds in your backyard or in other places around Virginia? We’d love to hear from you! For helpful information about aiding the bird migration and what you can do in your own backyard to help, be sure to visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s guide by clicking here.

For more beautiful signs of spring here in Virginia, be sure to take a look at this virtual tour of 1.5 million tulips growing at Burnside Farms.

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