Spring is in the air - and so are the birds. On March 16, residents flocked to hear Master Gardener and bird enthusiast Fred Buse at Northampton Recreation Center, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive. His PowerPoint presentation illustrated how winter weather affects bird populations.

Buse, a retired engineer, settled into a development in South Whitehall Township 57 years ago and redesigned his backyard into a birding paradise. Buse added trees, seeded plants, water features and feeding platforms to attract a wider variety of birds.

For 30 years, he has recorded daily information for March regarding temperatures, bird attendance and precipitation. Buse’s documentation shows March has become increasingly warmer by 5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the general bird population has doubled since 1992. However, pheasants and bobwhites have almost vanished, while sparrows and juncos have also seen a decrease in populations.

Buse said the most versatile type of birdseed is safflower because most birds like it. He suggested putting some in the bottom of the thistle feeder before you add the thistle seed to prevent mold. Buse suggested peanuts and eggshells for blue jays and adding peanut butter in the spring for the new fledglings. He stressed the need for clean water year-round.

Migration patterns have changed due to developments and warehousing. Birds know to migrate when “their hormones say go,” Buse said. Birds travel 600-3,000 miles while migrating.

The size and color of their feathers become larger and duller. Birds’ organs become smaller, but their hearts get bigger. Most birds prefer to travel at night. The earth’s magnetic pull and the polarized light guides the birds.

Due to the warming trend, robins are arriving earlier. They used to arrive in March, but now they can be seen in February. The Baltimore orioles used to arrive in May, but now they can be seen in April.

This program was sponsored by Northampton County Parks and Recreation, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary and will be hosting 50 public events this year.