Tag: canadawildbirding
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WELCOME BACK JUNCOS!
Fall days continue to be beautiful with colourful leaves and warm weather lasting well into the month. As we continue to enjoy watching migrating birds in the skies and at our feeders as they make their way south, be on the lookout for our ‘snowbirds’ returning from the north. A good friend of mine told…
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It’s Sparrow Time
Have you noticed an increase in activity in your yard lately? If you have, some of thatis likely related to a variety of sparrows that are currently making their way south.They aren’t in a hurry and may stick around for days or even a couple of weeks. There are plenty of White-throated Sparrows, with juveniles…
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How do Birds Know When to Migrate?
Many of us wonder how birds know when to migrate and are concerned that if we leave certain feeders out, such as hummingbird feeders, the birds will be encouraged to stay. This simply isn’t true, so let me tell you how birds that we have enjoyed over the spring and summer months know it’s time…
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Fly by Night
Songbirds are heading south, and in a few weeks, many will have left the province. Already most of the swallows have moved on, Eastern Kingbirds and Baltimore Orioles are on their way. Flycatchers, vireos and many species of warblers like the Northern Parula have begun a mass exodus, with millions of birds heading for their…
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How To Identify Birds by Sound
Your greatest tools for birding might be your ears The essential tools for birding are a field guide, a set of binoculars and a good supply of curiousity about our many feathered neighbours. Since many birds take great pains not to be seen, and some can look quite similar to others, your ability to identify…
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Birding Along the Shore
They are often simply called sandpipers but to birders they represent several families of shorebirds. While the familiar Killdeer and Spotted Sandpiper breed in your area, most of these long-distance flyers head to the Arctic in May and June for a short breeding season and are now winging their way back south. The adults come…
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Keeping Songbirds Safe from Disease
Some of you may have heard about a disease that has killed many birds throughout eastern parts of the USA. Young birds seem to be the most susceptible. The species most affected were Grackles, European Startings, Blue Jays and American Robins. This was first reported in Washington DC, and spread to states as far south…
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How To Identify Birds by Sight
Birding is beautiful in its simplicity: all you need to do is go for a walk, or look out the window, and see what you see. Spotting a new bird, however, is far easier than correctly identifying it. The next time you spot a new or unfamiliar species, grab your field guide and use these…
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Wild Canaries
Everyone loves the American Goldfinch, nicknamed the ‘wild canary’. Not only are these finches brightly coloured, they have a bubbly song and calls that brighten any day. In recent weeks, other songbirds have been busy with nesting activity but most are finished and even preparing to migrate south. Now it’s time for Goldfinches to take…
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Sunsets & Summer Nights
How many of you sit out in the evening watching to see which birds are the last ones coming to your feeders. Cardinals, grosbeaks, orioles and hummingbirds are on my list… and my ever elusive common yellow throat. The robins continue to sing 45 minutes after the sun has set. This is truly a…