Winter Waterfowl
At this time of the year the pickings can be pretty slim for birders. Our regular feeder birds do not
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
Special Visitors
Once winter sets in, we may find ourselves entertaining local birds that might otherwise appear only infrequently. A favourite is
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
They’re Back!
Some lucky feeder operators in Ontario are enjoying our very colourful Evening Grosbeaks once again. In 2020 there was a
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
Fall Activity
Have you noticed new arrivals in recent days? White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows as well as Dark-eyed Juncos are showing up
Bird Identification Simplified
So many of us have looked at a bird and had no idea what it was, or heard the name
5 Amazing Facts About Bird Migration
Animals can do some pretty incredible things, but perhaps no feat in the animal kingdom is more spectacular than the
TIPS TO HELP BIRDS DURING MIGRATION
The month of September brings our attention to many species of birds migrating to their winter destinations. Raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl,
Moving in Silence
A major difference between spring and fall migration is the sound. In the fall there isn’t much to hear. Songbirds
UNDERSTANDING BINOCULARS
Birdwatchers love to have a good pair of binoculars. They can enhance our viewing experience allowing us to view birds
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
Getting Ready
It may be hard to believe but some birds are getting ready for the trip south. It doesn’t happen in
Welcome to Summer
If you had the schedule birds do – up at the crack of dawn, spend the entire day searching for
How do birds parent?
All birds lay eggs, but aside from that their parenting styles are as varied as can be. From building a
HOW LONG ARE FLEDGLINGS DEPENDENT ON PARENTS
We will soon see baby birds (also called fledglings) appear with their parents at our bird feeders. Have you ever
Migration is Winding Down
The last of the songbird migrants are arriving. Some warblers, orioles, hummingbirds and thrushes have already made an appearance but
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL SUMMER BACKYARD BIRDING
Now that warmer weather is finally here, I would like to offer some tips on making your yard an inviting
How to Help Mommy Birds in the Spring
Spring is here and if you’re a bird that means one thing: it’s nesting season. With their migrations complete, birds
Spring Song
In the next few weeks, Ontario will experience an explosion of bird activity with tens of millions of migrants pouring
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
Move in Time
It is time to get ready for new tenants to set up for the season. If you have not cleaned
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
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
New arrivals
While we anxiously await the official arrival of spring, birds have already set the ball in motion. Bird song is
NATIONAL BIRD FEEDING MONTH
Did you know that February is National Bird Feeding Month? In 1994 US Congressman John Porter from Illinois acknowledged
Brrr It’s Cold!
How do birds make it through our Canadian winter on days when even we have a hard time being outside?
EUROPEAN STARLINGS
All European Starlings in North America descended from 100 birds set loose in Central Park New York in 1890. This
Who’s Counting?
This is the time of year when observers of all types, from feeder watchers to experienced birders grab their binoculars
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
Winter Preparations
Brief periods of snow and cold are becoming more regular with each passing week. The birds have noticed it as
Winter is Coming – What Can I do to Help the Birds?
This fall we have been fortunate to enjoy lovely weather throughout the month of October and now well into November,
What’s for Dinner?
Variety is the spice of life and when it comes to birds, having more than one type of seed on
WELCOME BACK JUNCOS!
Fall days continue to be beautiful with colourful leaves and warm weather lasting well into the month. As we continue
It’s Sparrow Time
Have you noticed an increase in activity in your yard lately? If you have, some of thatis likely related to
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,
Fly by Night
Songbirds are heading south, and in a few weeks, many will have left the province. Already most of the swallows
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
Birding Along the Shore
They are often simply called sandpipers but to birders they represent several families of shorebirds. While the familiar Killdeer and
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.
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
King of the Fishers
Have you ever watched a kingfisher on the hunt? The bird will often perch high above the water on a
Wild Canaries
Everyone loves the American Goldfinch, nicknamed the ‘wild canary’. Not only are these finches brightly coloured, they have a bubbly
Sunsets & Summer Nights
How many of you sit out in the evening watching to see which birds are the last ones coming to
Blending In
Blended families are not only found among people. This family of Wood Ducks has a surprise duo of Hooded Mergansers.
How to Make Your Garden Bird-Friendly
Observing birds from your kitchen or living room window is one of life’s great pleasures for a birder, and the
Sunflower Hearts, #1 on the Menu
Couers deTournesol, Sonnenblumenherzen, Cuori di girasole, no matter how you say it, Sunflower Hearts are the favourite seed of birds
Nesting Time
This is a critical time of year for birds because their energy must be focused on the next generation. Whether
Spring is Humming Along
With summer conditions already upon us, our smallest birds are busy enjoying the bounty of fresh nectar-bearing flowers with even
Backyard Dispatches 