During the 22 years Trina Vickery has worked for Parks & Open Spaces, she has seen many birds fly through Calgary's green spaces. Her favourite? The Western Meadowlark.“Growing up, it was the bird call that my grandparents would pick out when we were on the farm,” said Trina, Supervisor, Parks Programs. “It was the first bird call that I learned.”              We recognize incredible feathered travellers like the Western Meadowlark and their contribution to our ecosystem on the second Saturday in May during World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD).This year, WMBD falls on Saturday, May 10 and will be celebrated at Calgary’s Inglewood Bird Sanctuary from 1 pm to 4 pm. This rain or shine, free, family-friendly event requires no registration. Come learn more about migratory birds and nature, view birds using spotting scopes, take a guided walking tour and enjoy a children-focused performance. Visit calgary.ca/wmbd for more information.“Migratory birds are such an important part of our larger ecosystem,” said Trina. “They are pollinators, important in transporting seeds from one place to another and worthy of our recognition for how they help keep our natural spaces healthy.”There are many green spaces in Calgary where you can often spot migratory birds visiting city parks between mid-April to mid-September, especially Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Ralph Klein Park. “Calgary is one of the few places that has a federal migratory bird sanctuary within city limits – and so close to downtown,” said Trina. “Most other sanctuaries are outside urban areas.”  Bird enthusiasts can also expect to see different migratory birds at Ralph Klein Park than Ingelwood Bird Sanctuary. “At Inglewood, you tend to see more songbirds and waterfowl and more wading birds and raptors at Ralph Klein,” said Trina.Gulls are the true indicator that the spring migratory season has started, said Trina. “A lot of people think when they see robins that this means our migratory birds are back but it’s actually the first time you see a gull that you know that the spring migration has started,” said Trina.If you are on the hunt to see migratory birds this spring, Trina suggests you go for a quiet walk at dawn or dusk and bring binoculars with you. “It has usually been when I’m by myself that I see something really interesting or cool,” Trina said. “The quieter you are, the more you are likely to see. And binoculars are a good idea because you are likely to hear them before you see them since their calls carry a long distance.”               What can you do to help make our city more bird friendly?Help make our city more bird friendly by:Planting native – Plants that are native to your community provide the food and shelter birds need. You can also remove invasive plants that can take over.  Making windows visible – Birds don’t recognize plane glass and may collide with windows. Placing decals on the outside of windows can reduce bird strikes that can stun or kill birds. If you find a stunned bird, place it in an open box outside (with a small amount of water) to protect it from predators while it recovers. If it hasn’t flown away after a day, it is worth reaching out to a local wildlife rehabilitation centre. Protecting insects – 95% of birds depend on insects at some time during their lifecycle. Ask your local garden centre how you can address pests in your yard in a bird-friendly way and avoid using pesticides and other chemicals in your yard where possible.  Restraining your pets – Follow the Responsible Pet Bylaw which includes keeping dogs on leash except within the 160 designated off-leash areas in Calgary. It is especially important to keep dogs on leash while visiting natural areas to protect birds and their nesting habitats. For example, dogs aren’t allowed (except assistance dogs) at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to protect the birds that visit the park.  Taking your trash with you – When you are in a park space, either put your trash in a garbage can or take it with you when you leave.For more information about migratory birds, visit calgary.ca