The Pace is Accelerating
March was a time for early arrivals. Blackbirds, Robins, Song Sparrows and waterfowl too numerous to count showed us that
ARE YOU READY FOR THE ORIOLES?
Are you ready? After spending the late fall and winter months in southern Mexico and as far south as Columbia,
A Tried-and-True Feeder for Hummingbirds
Walk into any store that sells hummingbird feeders and the selection can be overwhelming. Choosing a feeder to attract these
Squirrel Proof Feeders
Thank you for all the wonderful feedback and questions following my recent appearance on Charlie Dobbin’s Gardening Show, on Zoomer
Spring is Here!
While we can expect setbacks in the time ahead, spring continues to roll along. You have probably noticed blackbirds which
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
Almost There
Winter has been easy for most of the south in this El Nino weather year, enabling lingering songbirds to hang
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
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
SEED OF KINDNESS EVENT!
Happy New Year! We’re starting off the year by celebrating National Bird Day this coming Friday, January 5th. In recognition
Bird Feeders
Depending on where you live, the landscape may be suggesting a white Christmas or perhaps you have been spared shoveling
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
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING – FOR YOUR BACKYARD FRIENDS
It’s that time of year again when we’re thinking about what gifts our family and friends would like… but what
Foil Those Squirrels Once and For All Regardless of What Feeder and Seed You Use
Ask anyone who feeds the birds in their yard and most agree squirrels are their nemesis. For me, I realize
Just Ducky
The big push has finally arrived. We have entered the peak season for waterfowl viewing with thousands of geese and
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
Protect Migrating Birds from Window Collisions
As you may be aware, this time of the year marks the peak of the Fall bird migration season. Thousands
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
Seed Cylinders: A Simple and Inexpensive Option For Feeding Birds
Seed cylinders are one of the simplest and least expensive ways to feed backyard birds. Made with a wide variety
On the Move
Fall migration is underway. Shorebirds down from Arctic breeding grounds are topping up their energy tanks along mudflats, beaches and
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds – Eggs to Fledglings
During the month of August you may be seeing more hummingbirds in your gardens and at your feeders. You
How Do Birds Find A Feeder
Birds find a bird feeder primarily through a combination of visual cues, memory, and exploration. Here’s how the process generally
Goldfinch Nesting – Last call
For months, birds have been actively involved in breeding and now some are getting ready to hit the road. In
WHY IS IT SO QUIET?
As we approach the middle of summer, things are quieting down a little at our feeders. Fledglings are learning to
Best Places to Bird in Ontario
As kids, our Dad would take our family of six down to Point Pelee National Park on his birthday –
Vortex Vanquish Binoculars: Why Every Birder Should Own A Pair
Binoculars are something every serious birder owns and shopping for a pair can be confusing. What do all the features
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
Father’s Day will soon be here! Our team members at Urban Nature Store are ready to show you a variety
Busy Parenting
This is the busiest time of the year for birds. Some species are building nests, others are sitting on eggs
A Splash of Colour
The spring fashion show has birders gazing in awe at the variety of bright colors that have appeared in our
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Mother’s Day is coming soon! Did you ever think of helping our mother birds as they begin to raise their
The Breeding Season Has Begun
When birds return from the South, they don’t waste any time establishing a territory and preparing for the hectic breeding
The Green-winged Teal
On a sunny Saturday afternoon my phone buzzed on the table. It was a notification telling me that a Green-winged
COMING SOON TO A FEEDER NEAR YOU – ORIOLES AND HUMMINGBIRDS!
These beauties are on their way back from their wintering grounds and will be arriving over the next couple of
The Winds of Change
We are in a time of transition when the weather doesn’t seem to know what it wantsto do. We still
A New Suet Feeder Delivers Instant Results
Suet is a high-energy food I’ve offered at my feeders for many years. I’ve enjoyed watching woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, and
It’s All About Spring!
We’ve changed our clocks giving us that extra hour of daylight, and spring officially arrives next Monday. Even though winter
Are You Ready for Spring?
Depending on where you live, the landscape may already look like spring. Some regions have minimal snow cover while others
A Dole of Mourning Doves
Since the beginning of February I have had larger than normal flocks of mourning doves congregating at my bird feeders.
Will it be an Early Spring?
It may be hard to believe but spring is on the way. Of course, there will be cold snaps and
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,
LET’S DO A LITTLE EXTRA FOR OUR BIRDS
The weather this winter has certainly been anything but normal. You may have noticed that some of our early migrators
The Safflower Solution: How To Outwit Those Pesky Blackbirds
Feeding birds year-round can be incredibly rewarding. Observing a male cardinal pass a seed to a female during courtship demonstrates
Protect Migrating Birds from Window Collisions
As you may be aware, we will soon be entering the spring migration season. White-throated sparrows, Kinglets, Orioles, Hummingbirds, Warblers and
Backyard Dispatches 