Author: Urban Nature Store
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Dawn Chorus
You may have noticed that mornings sound livelier as new songbirds arrive with each passing week. We have been serenaded by Robins for a while but Song and Chipping Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, Juncos and the pint-sized kinglets each add a new dimension to spring sounds. A small number of warblers have returned as well but…
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Beginners Guide to Bird Feeding
Anytime is a good time to start the hobby of bird feeding. The warm weather of spring and summer offer an opportune time to transform your backyard space into a magnificent habitat for birds. By asking yourself some simple questions, you will be able to decide what is going to work best for your yard.…
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Spring Activity Continues
We are well on the way, with spring birds appearing everywhere, while those that have been with us over the winter are preparing to depart for the North. Some already have. Those who have been blessed with redpolls have seen their numbers decrease or disappear altogether. If we are lucky, Pine Siskins, some of which…
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Save Songbirds from Window Strikes
Beautiful songbirds are on their way from their wintering grounds to their breeding grounds. Some have already arrived such as the male Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Robins and Cowbirds. Warblers, Orioles, Grosbeaks and Hummingbirds will be making their appearances over the next two months. We can do our part to keep them safe by applying window…
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Migration is Underway!
Have you heard your first red-winged blackbird yet? Conk-la-reee… a sure sign that spring is truly on its way. I always look forward to the return of the red-wings. However, that also means that the grackles will be close behind. I know from listening to your questions over the years that there are some birds…
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The Sounds of Spring
Did you hear that? We may be in the deepest part of the winter but don’t tell that to the birds. Some are already getting prepared for the busy season ahead; it sounds like music to the ears. I’ve been hearing male White-breasted Nuthatches calling regularly for a couple of weeks. They give a rapid,…
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Let’s Share
How is everyone getting through this Covid-19 winter? Perhaps you’re finding new hobbies or resurrecting old ones. Maybe this includes birdwatching. I sure am happy that the birds know nothing about the coronavirus. Birdwatching is a very relaxing hobby that can be done at your own pace. There are no rules to follow and many…
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Do Feeders Save Lives?
Do birds really need the food we offer at our feeders to survive? The truthful answer is no when it comes to residents that are here year-round, like the chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and others. It does help them out though and they do appreciate it or they wouldn’t come back for more. On average, these…
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ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP BIRDS GET THROUGH THE WINTER
Suet is a smart addition to winter bird feeding if you’re not offering it all year. There are many different styles of suet feeders to choose from. A basic single suet cage is very price friendly and can be hung from a tree branch or in a shrub. These feeders can accommodate one or two…
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Common Redpolls Have Made Their Move
Following up on our earlier story of redpolls, these Chickadee-sized birds have been spending the last six weeks feeding almost exclusively in weedy fields and along rural roads. As anticipated, they have begun to also appear at some feeders and in the weeks ahead more will likely follow suit. I just had my first few…