Tag: birdseeds

  • Winter Waterfowl

    Winter Waterfowl

    At this time of the year the pickings can be pretty slim for birders. Our regular feeder birds do not change much and a walk through the parks or woodlands may produce limited results. One area that will still have birds though is open water, especially along Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and fast flowing rivers.…

  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER!

    BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER!

    Now that we’re into the cold months of winter you might be noticing small flocks of chickadees, goldfinches and cardinals in trees or shrubs, or arriving at your feeders in larger than normal groups.  There were 8 male cardinals in a small tree in the field behind our house today with some females too! During…

  • Special Visitors

    Special Visitors

    Once winter sets in, we may find ourselves entertaining local birds that might otherwise appear only infrequently. A favourite is the Tufted Titmouse, a chickadee cousin that has a prominent crest and a boisterous, rapidly repeated song ‘Peter-Peter-Peter’. It is normally not as friendly as chickadees, which can often be hand fed. Never common, it…

  • CHRISTMAS WISH LIST FOR YOUR BACKYARD FRIENDS

    CHRISTMAS WISH LIST FOR YOUR BACKYARD FRIENDS

    It’s time for our annual Christmas wish list for the birds.  If you would like to give a gift to your feathered friends… or squirrels, here are some ideas for you! Blue Jays – Peanut ring and a bag of whole peanuts. Cardinals – Sky Cafe with a serving of safflower. Chickadees – Droll Yankees…

  • They’re Back!

    They’re Back!

    Some lucky feeder operators in Ontario are enjoying our very colourful Evening Grosbeaks once again. In 2020 there was a movement that saw birds in a number of locations but last winter was not as good. While small flocks showed up in 2021, most moved on. This year thousands have descended from the boreal forest…

  • What Does an Irruption Year Mean?

    What Does an Irruption Year Mean?

    Have you ever heard this term among birders and wondered what it means?  According to Project Feeder Watch it is defined as “the movement of northern-wintering species to the south in years of low food availability.”   I’ve recently heard from customers that they have seen flocks of Evening Grosbeaks in parts of Scarborough and the…

  • Bird Identification Simplified

    Bird Identification Simplified

    So many of us have looked at a bird and had no idea what it was, or heard the name of a bird and thought, well, that makes no sense at all.  Let’s not forget all those little brown birds.  Becoming familiar with a bird’s topography will help you with identification. Field guides are great, but…

  • Birding tips for condo dwellers

    Birding tips for condo dwellers

    Just because you don’t have a backyard doesn’t mean you can’t still observe avian life from the comfort of your home. Here are a few ideas to make your own aerie a little more bird-friendly. Hang a balcony feeder If you have a balcony and your building allows bird feeders, you might be surprised who…

  • Getting Ready

    Getting Ready

    It may be hard to believe but some birds are getting ready for the trip south. It doesn’t happen in a rush like in spring and in fact extends over a period of months but once young are on their own there is nothing holding them or the adults back. They can move on whenever…

  • Migration is Winding Down

    Migration is Winding Down

    The last of the songbird migrants are arriving. Some warblers, orioles, hummingbirds and thrushes have already made an appearance but they don’t all show up at once so new individuals will continue to trickle in. Traditionally we expect the final showing for warblers to be highlighted by species such as the Mourning Warbler and Blackpoll…