A Season of Rhythm and Return
This spring marked a turning point in our backyard rewilding journey. The space we have been slowly nurturing is now alive with movement and birdsong. As the earth warmed and the days stretched longer, our habitat did not just host wildlife – it welcomed it with ease.
Unlike last year’s whirlwind transformation, this season unfolded with a steady rhythm. There was less scrambling, more observing. Fewer “what ifs”, more “look at that.” The groundwork was laid, and this spring gave me the gift of watching it all unfold.
Tending the Habitat
Early in the season, we rebuilt the pond to check for a potential liner leak. Thankfully, no issue was found. And almost immediately after putting it all back together, the water became a wildlife magnet once again.
Spring 2025 Bird Sightings
From March 21st to June 19th, I identified 42 bird species, including seven lifers. The diversity, the frequency, the sheer presence of birds affirmed what I’d hoped for: the habitat is working.
*L = lifer | *FO = flyover | *H = heard only | *SFY = seen from yard
- American Crow
- American Goldfinch *L
- American Goshawk *FO *L
- American Redstart *H – first time hearing
- American Robin
- Black-billed Magpie
- Black-capped Chickadee
- Blue Jay
- California Gull *FO
- Canada Goose *FO
- Chipping Sparrow
- Clay-colored Sparrow
- Common Raven
- Cooper’s Hawk *L
- Dark-eyed Junco
- Downy Woodpecker
- Eastern Phoebe *L
- Franklin’s Gull *FO
- Golden-crowned Kinglet *H
- Hermit Thrush
- House Finch
- House Sparrow
- Least Flycatcher *L
- LeConte’s Sparrow *L
- Lincoln’s Sparrow
- Merlin
- Northern Flicker
- Orange-crowned Warbler *L
- Palm Warbler *H
- Pelican *FO
- Pine Siskin
- Red-breasted Nuthatch
- Red-eyed Vireo *H – first time hearing
- Red-winged Blackbird *H
- Ring-billed Gull *FO
- Rock Pigeon *SFY
- Swainson’s Thrush *H
- Tennessee Warbler *H
- Tundra Swan *FO
- White-breasted Nuthatch *H
- White-crowned Sparrow
- White-throated Sparrow
Global Big Day: Joining a Worldwide Celebration
One of the season’s most meaningful highlights was taking part in Global Big Day on May 11th – A day I wrote more about here. Our backyard became part of a worldwide celebration of birds and their migratory journeys, contributing to a global tally of over 7,000 species. That day alone, our yard hosted a record-breaking 26 species – including four lifers:
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Eastern Phoebe
- LeConte’s Sparrow
- Orange-crowned Warbler
Each felt like a gift – undeniable evidence of that is possible when you create space for the wild to return. I don’t take these sightings for granted. Every bird feels like a small confirmation that we are on the right path – that what we are building matters.
Snapshots of the Season
Other standout moments from the season:
- Spotted a trio of Magpie fledglings for the first time
- Watched 22 pelicans soar overhead in formation
- Just as I stepped outside to photograph another bird, an American Goldfinch landed right by the door
- Seeing the pond regularly visited by a mix of birds reinforces just how valuable water is in a backyard habitat
While many fellow birders noted that this spring felt quieter than usual across the region, our little patch of land still welcomed a varied mix of birds – a hopeful sign that our evolving refuge is becoming a true stopover and sanctuary. Noticing who visits (and when, and why) is the first step to protecting the life around us.
Through the Lens: Spring in the Backyard
This season, I picked up the camera more than ever, eager to capture the subtle beauty and quiet moments unfolding in the backyard. The increased activity, new arrivals, and the small everyday dramas gave me dozens of excuses to pause and pay attention.
From first-time visitors to familiar species returning this season, these photos represent more than just sightings – they are proof of what has been built; a habitat with rhythm, resilience, and real connection. What began as a dream is now a living landscape. Spring 2025 was a celebration of that success.
Here are a few glimpses into that celebration – moments of stillness, colour, and life that tell the story far better than words ever could.
Looking Ahead
With summer well underway, I am curious to see what returns, what surprises, and what this small space teaches us next. Thank you for following along – may your own corner of the wild feel just as alive.
🌿 Each season tells its own story. You can revisit them all in the Backyard Birding archives!
If this post sparked an idea or made you pause to notice the beauty in your own space, I would be so grateful if you shared it with a friend, on your social media, or saved it for later. Every share helps this little patch of land inspire more backyard birders, native plant gardeners, and nature-lovers.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
Tracey
INFORMATION
FO = Flying Overhead
H = Heard
L = Lifer
SFY = Saw From Yard
If you enjoy what I share and want to support my journey to rewild and document this little patch of land, you can do so through my Ko-fi page. Your support helps me continue photographing, nurturing, and sharing this space with you.
Tracey | Home & Habitat Journal
A birdwatching, plant-loving, thrift-hunting homebody crafting a space where comfort and nature live side by side.
HomeAndHabitatJournal.com
Where cozy living meets wild spaces—this is home, shaped by nature. From backyard birds to native blooms, wildlife habitats to cozy corners. Join me on this journey, and connect with me on social media to let nature inspire your space too!
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