Tag: winterbirds
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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.…
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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…
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Don’t Forget the Ground Feeders
Not all backyard birds like to go to feeders. Some species prefer feeding on the ground or on elevated feeding trays where several birds can feed at once. You can even sprinkle seed on an outdoor table with success. This is a good way to use mixed seed which is of limited interest to squirrels…
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Help Birds Find Shelter This Winter by Adding a Roost Box to Your Yard!
Roost boxes are an excellent addition to any bird lover’s yard. They are similar in appearance to a birdhouse but serve a different purpose altogether. Instead of building a nest inside and raising their young, birds use a roost box to provide shelter and warmth during winter and will often gather to share body heat.…
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Keeping Squirrels at Bay: Tips for Protecting Your Suet Feeders
Suet feeders are a fantastic way to attract a variety of birds to your backyard, providing them with essential nutrients during the winter months. However, the persistent presence of squirrels can quickly turn your bird-feeding haven into a chaotic squirrel feast. Fear not! Here are some effective strategies to keep those furry acrobats away from…
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DON’T FORGET THE WATER!
If you’re thinking of setting up your yard for birds who stay for the winter months, don’t forget about the water. Searching for water sources uses a lot of energy and takes birds further away from the food sources you’re already offering. You can do this by adding a heated bird bath, a bird bath…
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Mental Health Benefits of Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a good healthy hobby. People living in neighbourhoods with trees, shrubs, and birds suffer less from anxiety and depression. Spending one hour each day walking in a nearby park or conservation area will lower your stress level. This will calm your mind and offer you an escape from your daily life. Spending more…
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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.…
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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…
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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…