A Fallen Egg

We found a robin’s egg in the yard this weekend.  A beautiful, blue Robin’s egg.  One little child having recently observed chickens hatch in the classroom and completely intrigued with nature, wanted to care for it and help it hatch.  Sadly, I had to explain that it was unlikely that we would be successful.

Realistically, it would be very difficult to get a wild bird egg to hatch.  A constant temperature of 100 … Click to read more

How to keep cats and birds on good terms

Birds provide endless hours of observation for bird watchers. As visitors to the backyard, they display interesting

activities and provide melodious bird songs. A key element for wild birds visiting or nesting in the backyard is safety from resident or neighborhood cats.

A bird’s superior eyesight allows quick detection of backyard predators. When reacting to a threat, such as an outdoor cat stalking the feeding area, wild birds have a tendency to fly away quickly, … Click to read more

Suet for Summer

Although there is an endless amount of information about birds available on the Internet, I recently checked out a book on the subject from the local library.  I wonder when was the last time it was checked out.  I have to admit, there was something wonderfully simple about flipping through the pages, organized by chapter.  I should also admit that I love books and do not have plans to give them up in lieu of … Click to read more

Green Certification Includes Protecting Birds

Skyscrapers have always been a threat for migratory birds.  The reflective glass, indoor plants and perceived line of flight through one window and out another attract birds and cause collisions.  Although it sounds a bit ironic, even buildings that are designed to be environmentally friendly are responsible for the death of birds.

In today’s world, it is important for companies to show their commitment to the environment.  For that reason, environmentally conscious companies either build … Click to read more

A Noted Change

Hi, Fans:

We recently learned that the charitable bird conservancy to which we have been donating prefers that their brand name not be used in a formal sense on social sites.  As a consequence, we have had to remove their name from our Facebook page over the weekend.  We are disappointed of course, but we understand their desire to manage their brand.

Many of you have LIKED our FB page and participated in our Big … Click to read more

Bird Cuisine

Sure it’s easy to grab that inexpensive bag of seed at the hardware store, pour it into a feeder and expect to have all kinds of birds visiting your yard but a little more strategy is necessary to get the results you may want.  The best way to choose what type of food to offer is to cater to those that are already there.  Once your yard becomes known as a sought-after food source, you … Click to read more

Spring Cleaning: It IS for the birds

Just like many of us, birds are attracted to clean nesting spaces.  Not to mention it just goes with the territory of helping to keep birds healthy and safe.  Knowing the best time to clean a bird house can depend on the species and also whether houses are kept up in the winter.  While the end of breeding season is generally a good rule of thumb, if you’ve left a house up through the winter, … Click to read more

What Winter Birds Need

Here in the Northwest, it has been a mild winter with above average daily temperatures and very little precipitation.  Mostly I feel like we deserve a delayed start to winter after having what seemed to be the longest spring ever last year.  And I have to admit it has allowed me some extra time to prepare myself for cold, snowy winter weather.  The mild weather also seems to be a welcome treat to the birds.  … Click to read more

The Buddy System

Maybe you’ve seen those beautiful formations of a flock of birds in the sky.  No matter the species, these aerodynamics are a sight to see.  What you might not know is that there are significant benefits for birds to form flocks.  Have you ever wondered why the birds do it or maybe it seems obvious?  Think of bicyclists or race cars drafting to use energy efficiently.  A similar effect is created when birds fly in … Click to read more

Modernized Birding

When I was first introduced to birding as a child, I remember flipping through a thick guide trying to guess which bird I was looking at.  Now bird apps can be downloaded to a smart phone and you’ll be forever ready to identify that bird complete with sound recordings.  There are websites for birders that will alert you of potential “new-to-you” bird sightings and there are bird blogs, Facebook, and Twitter connecting the birding community … Click to read more