Tag: birdwatching
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TIPS ON ATTRACTING ORIOLES AND HUMMINGBIRDS
Orioles and hummingbirds are welcome visitors to our yards and gardens in the spring, and will be arriving soon! We can expect to see them in late April or early May. The Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird we see in Eastern North America. Baltimore Orioles, also known as Northern Orioles, as well as Orchard…
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Move in Time
It is time to get ready for new tenants to set up for the season. If you have not cleaned out your bird houses from last year, do that first. Even though the material may be dry it can contain mites, insects, feces and general dirt. Scrub with soap and water and add a bit…
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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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Spring is in the Air
There is no doubt about it now, we are well on the road to spring bird activity. We will have unsettled weather for the rest of the month but the trend has been broken and birds will take full advantage of it. In the past few weeks, a small movement of Pine Siskins and Common…
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New arrivals
While we anxiously await the official arrival of spring, birds have already set the ball in motion. Bird song is noticeable, with Cardinals, chickadees and nuthatches actively calling. Downy Woodpeckers are drumming away to proclaim territory and a variety of resident species are pairing up for the season ahead. There are other signs too. Some…
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NATIONAL BIRD FEEDING MONTH
Did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month? In 1994 US Congressman John Porter from Illinois acknowledged February as the toughest month for birds to survive, and wanted to make the public aware of this. He was determined to educate people about bird feeding and bird watching. There are many things you…
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Brrr It’s Cold!
How do birds make it through our Canadian winter on days when even we have a hard time being outside? Just like people, birds will shiver to stay warm, using the rapid tightening and expansion of the muscles to heat the body. They also fluff their feathers, trapping air that will gradually warm the body.…
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EUROPEAN STARLINGS
All European Starlings in North America descended from 100 birds set loose in Central Park New York in 1890. This was done by Shakespeare enthusiasts who wanted to have all birds mentioned by Shakespeare in America. Well, they succeeded with the starlings. There are now more than 200 million of this species ranging from Alaska…
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Who’s Counting?
This is the time of year when observers of all types, from feeder watchers to experienced birders grab their binoculars and start counting. They are participating in a tradition that goes back to 1900 when a handful of people at 25 locations in North America, including two in Canada (Toronto was one of them) engaged…
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TURNING YOUR BACKYARD INTO A WINTER BIRD HAVEN
Exciting News! Beginning on December 31, we will be starting our Backyard Winter Birdscape Contest. This contest will run until March 14th. We’re not looking for a perfectly staged space with expensive and beautiful feeders, we’re looking for practical items you have put in your yards to help birds stay healthy throughout the winter months. …