Category: UNS Birding Blog
-
The Pace is Accelerating
March was a time for early arrivals. Blackbirds, Robins, Song Sparrows and waterfowl too numerous to count showed us that spring was indeed in the air. Now we have moved into the next act of the unfolding drama when insect-eating birds show up in ever increasing numbers. In April, all of the swallows appear, along…
-
ARE YOU READY FOR THE ORIOLES?
Are you ready? After spending the late fall and winter months in southern Mexico and as far south as Columbia, the Orioles are on their way back! So far this month they have been spotted in Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Illinois and northern Michigan. You know what that means… we can expect them to grace our…
-
A Tried-and-True Feeder for Hummingbirds
Walk into any store that sells hummingbird feeders and the selection can be overwhelming. Choosing a feeder to attract these little beauties to your yard doesn’t have to be difficult and, in this post, I’m going to share my favourite. Whenever I’m asked what hummingbird feeder I recommend, the Perky-Pet Pinch Waist Glass Hummingbird Feeder…
-
Squirrel Proof Feeders
Thank you for all the wonderful feedback and questions following my recent appearance on Charlie Dobbin’s Gardening Show, on Zoomer Radio. I received quite a few messages about my squirrel proof feeder comments, so I thought it would be helpful to expand on my comments with a few more details. Yes I have found that…
-
Spring is Here!
While we can expect setbacks in the time ahead, spring continues to roll along. You have probably noticed blackbirds which are now easy to find. Male Red-winged Blackbirds have set up territory in rural and some urban areas – they aren’t just marsh birds. The sparrow-like females will be along a little later. Grackles, those…
-
LET’S DO A LITTLE EXTRA FOR OUR BIRDS
The weather this winter has certainly been anything but normal. You may have noticed that some of our early migrators were even earlier than usual. I had my first red-winged blackbird on February 19th! Last year I didn’t see, or hear them until March 6th. The grackles and cowbirds arrived shortly after. Some Robins will…
-
The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds
Feeding birds year-round can be incredibly rewarding. Observing a male cardinal pass a seed to a female during courtship demonstrates the lengths some birds go to obtain a mate. Similar behaviour can be observed later in the season as many birds will bring their offspring to feeders once fledged and place food in their open…
-
Protect Migrating Birds from Window Collisions
As you may be aware, we will soon be entering the spring migration season. White-throated sparrows, Kinglets, Orioles, Hummingbirds, Warblers and Ovenbirds are among some of the species that will be heading North to their breeding grounds. However, during this migration period, birds face a significant threat—window collisions. Nearly 5 billion birds will migrate this spring in…
-
Attract Northern Cardinals to Your Yard in Three Easy Steps
Northern Cardinals are one of the most recognized birds throughout their range and a favourite backyard visitor of many. Cardinals are often the bird homeowners most wish to attract when placing a feeder in their yard. This winter I regularly have a dozen cardinals visiting my feeders at the same time providing an incredible sight.…
-
Almost There
Winter has been easy for most of the south in this El Nino weather year, enabling lingering songbirds to hang on until we are fully committed to spring. There have been a few migrants, notably Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds, that have already moved into prospective breeding territory, greeting us with chipper song. Surprisingly, one…