Tag: UNSblogs
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Pine Siskins, Will they Stay or Will They Go?
The winter of 2020 and the winter and spring of 2021 have seen unprecedented numbers of Pine Siskins. The reason for this is a shortage of conifer seeds throughout the boreal forests of Canada causing the Siskins to move south in search of food. High numbers of this species have been recorded in southern Canada…
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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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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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Canada’s Snowbirds Are Heading South!
Back in December, some rural parts of the province were treated to flocks of Snow Buntings. These birds of open country feed in fields and along roadsides where they will scatter as cars approach, often spooking the driver who wonders if they all made it safely out of the way. Fields where corn has been…