Nesting

Nesting Season is well under way for many birds, completed for some, just starting for others and continuing for those that may have a 2nd, 3rd brood!! It's a great time of the year, especially if you have a variety of trees in your yard or nearby. Nest boxes are also a perfect addition for those birds that prefer a cavity. It's fun to see the adults bringing food to their young, thrilling to see the tiny heads pop out of nests, amazing to see the birds fledge!!  Many "feeder" birds will eventually bring their families up close, with the chicks first waiting patiently in nearby trees until they figure out the feeder thing. There is so much entertainment, enjoyment & relaxation provided by watching, feeding & providing for the birds...We hope you will take a little time to see what's happening in trees, forests, parks & gardens in your neighbourhood!!

Here comes lunch thanks to Papa Eastern Bluebird!!

Hello June!

June....A month of more blossoms in the garden; A month where we welcome a favourite, locally-grown fruit - Strawberries; A month that many choose to celebrate one of the biggest days of their lives; A month that welcomes the return of Monarch Butterflies; A month where many birds will fledge their nests & will start to appear around the bird feeders while others will begin to build their nests; And the month that we welcome the 'official' first day of SUMMER!!

It's a favourite time of the year ~ Happy 1st day of June...Have a wonderful month of June!

Welcome the Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds....a favourite in every garden.  Folks love to welcome Hummingbirds to their yards & gardens and boy, can they put on a show! It is thrilling to see these so very tiny miracles zipping about from blossoms to nectar feeders, from nectar feeders to blossoms!! Their movements are, at times, so very quick while at other times, if you take the time to watch them very closely, you will see them perch. They do often perch on feeders and also in the trees. If you are looking for shrubs & flowers to attract them, consider Weigela, Bee Balm Monarda, Fuchsia & Red Columbine to name a very few that they enjoy around our garden. Be sure to check out Canadian Wildlife Federation's info "How to garden with wildlife in mind"...so much information from this website!!

Baltimore Orioles...What more can we say?

Baltimore Orioles...What more can we say? They're beautiful, entertaining, amazing, smart and one of the favourite birds in gardens near & far!!

Beautiful....Look at their stunning colours

Entertaining....Watch their antics around the feeders & throughout the yard & Listen to their beautiful sounds & Look for them feathering their nests

Amazing...Check out the nests they build

Smart....They've let us know three times that the jelly feeders are empty

Favourite....So many customers arrive in store asking how to keep them hanging around, what feeders they like, what foods they like! Folks are just so excited to welcome the Baltimore Orioles to their yards & gardens!!

Male Baltimore Oriole lovin' an orange!

Nesting Season

This has got to be one of the best times of the year...Plenty of migrating birds have arrived and/or are moving through the area...Priceless!! Many others are nesting or will be soon.  It's a fabulous time to have your seed feeders filled as well as offering nectar for the Orioles & Hummingbirds. Orioles will also provide you with some great entertainment if you offer a jelly feeder or orange halves. In the past, we've even had them eating from our peanut feeders!!

Not only do they provide some fun around the feeders but they'll also accept nesting materials from suet baskets, etc. For the past few years, we've placed a peanut feeder (containing alpaca wool, dog hair, etc.) near our Oriole feeding stations and they've always found it. What fun it is to watch as they gather the materials they want then carry them off in the direction of their nest. Amazing to see how much they will try to collect...at one time & during each visit!! 

Baltimore Oriole nest in the leaves! Note the tail sticking out of the nest as the female Baltimore Oriole arranges things inside!!

Baltimore Oriole nest from a previous year

Pine Siskins Visit!

It's not often that the Pine Siskins stop by for a visit, but when they do, they certainly take over the Nyjer Seed Feeders!! The past few days, we've enjoyed seeing them around our feeders & in our garden. The Siskins are rather acrobatic providing plenty of entertainment for all, although the Goldfinches may not be impressed!  You'll notice the yellow markings in their wings as they jockey for position on the feeders or fly on to a new spot!

Warmer temperatures, or should we say more seasonal temperatures, are on their way...have a terrific Tuesday & a great week!

Hummingbirds....finally!

While gazing out our patio doors as dusk was settling in last night, we thought we could see something around our Hummingbird Feeder. Sure enough, our first Hummingbird sighting of the season was that of a female Ruby-throated Hummer! We captured a not-very-clear shot of her but we were delighted to know a Hummingbird had finally found our garden after numerous customers & fb/twitter followers had reported them in theirs! This morning, she has made several quick visits too.  Last year, we welcomed these beauties on May 4th...the very same day as the Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings. Just when you think the Hummingbirds might once again arrive on the same date or even earlier than previous years, they surprised us! This morning, we were happy to spot a male at the same feeder!! You can report sightings & see where others have also spotted these tiny miracles of nature!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (photo from previous year)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

To Mothers of feather babies and Mothers of fur babies
And All those in between...
To those that nurture, protect, support, teach and love; And to those that did all those things & so very much more... Whose memory we cherish today & every day...
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you for feathering our nests
Celebrate them one & all!!

Fort McMurray ~ Mother's Day

The images and devastation from Fort McMurray are truly unbelievable & upsetting. We are so sorry for all of those suffering losses and sorry for those that have no idea, at the moment, if they will have a home to return to. Heartbreaking...

While we have many items to choose from for Mother's Day this Sunday, please also consider a very meaningful gift at this time ~ Thank you for thinking about donations to Fort McMurray Fire Relief via the Red Cross.  

We would like to take this time to thank all the people involved in fighting the fires, those helping the folks that have had to evacuate and those that have opened their arms & homes, doing what they can to assist. There's so many that serve, so many that protect, so many compassionate souls, so many stories of kindness in the midst of all the sadness. THANK YOU one & all!

Baltimore Orioles Arrived!!

Finally...after hearing so many other reports of Baltimore Orioles in the area, "ours" have arrived, both a male & a female!!  They might as well arrive on the same date every year, even after we thought they might be a little earlier this year! We've got orange halves, nectar feeders and a jelly feeder available for them...in previous years, we've even seen them at our peanut feeders! We love how they "announce" their arrival at the feeders and love hearing their tunes from high in the tree tops. Our Bradford Pear Tree is in full bloom...they will be enjoying this spot too! They will begin building their nest very soon, so consider offering nesting materials in your suet or peanut feeders. (Alpaca Wool available if you're looking for something they love!) Wishing you the lovely sights & sounds of the Baltimore Orioles in your gardens!

Male Baltimore Oriole

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are Here!

We had heard that Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were in our area and finally they arrived in our garden! A female arrived Saturday and two males have been spotted today!!  If you've never had these beauties in your garden, who knows....this may be your year! Make certain you have Safflower Seed available for them, either in a mix or even better, offered on its own. They absolutely love it and will sit for long periods enjoying one seed after another. They are fabulous birds to watch...not only are they beautiful but quite entertaining as well. Wishing you a wonderful month of May with lots of new arrivals in your gardens!!

Two Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks arrived in our garden Monday, May 2nd 2016!!

Migration Festivals Begin!!

Spring is a very special time of the year if you enjoy seeing the birds, watching the birds, feeding the birds. While many will spend time in their own yards & gardens loving the new arrivals, lots of folks will be venturing out to area birding festivals to add new sightings to their lists or to just enjoy the various sights and sounds!! Today marks the beginning of the Festival of Birds at Point Pelee continuing until May 18th.  Friends of Rondeau present their Festival of Flight Saturday, May 7th until Monday, May 23rd.  The Friends of MacGregor Point welcome guests during the  Huron Fringe Birding Festival happening over two extended weekends, Friday, May 27 to Monday, May 30 and June 2nd to 5th.  Many other events happening in the Toronto/Oshawa area, Michigan & more!! If you're taking in some of these, have a wonderful time!!

Indigo Bunting (male)

Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings....All in the Area!

Our ornamental pear trees are bursting with blooms (one of the first landing spots for the Orioles)...Our feeders are cleaned & placed in our garden....

So delighted to hear from various customers that they have had Orchard Orioles, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings in their yards & gardens!! An Indigo Bunting & Orchard Oriole were spotted in the St. Thomas/Port Stanley area; a Rose-breasted Grosbeak in London and Baltimore Orioles in the Strathroy area as well as Stratford/St. Mary's!! Baltimore Orioles also reported in Chatham-Kent.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year...just waiting to hear about Hummingbirds! Make sure your garden is ready for all these beauties ~ Orioles adore grape jelly along with nectar & oranges; Rose-breasted Grosbeaks love Safflower along with Black Oil Sunflower; Indigo Buntings spend lots of time on feeders filled with White Millet, also Nyjer Seed; and of course Hummingbirds will be looking for your nectar feeders!! If you have sightings to report, feel free to let us know...Thank YOU!

Baltimore Oriole in the ornamental Bradford Pear tree 2015

New Arrivals!!

If you've noticed some new tunes in your garden recently, it could be those of various Sparrows that have also made their appearance & sound known in ours!! Yesterday we welcomed the pretty White-throated Sparrow and prior to that, the Chipping Sparrow. Song Sparrows are also around too!! With these arrivals, we know other species will be here in the near future. We expect to welcome the White-crowned Sparrows shortly, with Eastern Towhees, Orioles, Indigo Buntings, and Hummingbirds very soon! You may have already welcomed some of these very special birds as migration updates show many of them all around & very close!! Enjoy this special time of the year and always take a few moments to "Listen to the Birds"...you'll be very glad that you did!!

White-throated Sparrow arrived Sunday April 24th!!

Cute Chipping Sparrow arrived a few days before the White-throated Sparrows

White-crowned Sparrows arrived today - Monday April 25!!

Northern Flickers

Have you noticed more activity from the Woodpeckers recently? Drumming? Calling? They really have many sounds that they add to the tunes of the other birds!!  Northern Flickers are no exception and recently, they've been quite vocal in our garden and throughout the walking trails in the area. A stunning brown bird with gorgeous markings, you'll know one when you see it! Flickers eat mostly ants and beetles, so you'll often find them on the ground, unlike other Woodpeckers. We've had several on our lawn recently and didn't even realize they were there until they flew away revealing the gorgeous yellow in their wings & white near their tail. A few days ago, we heard a disturbance in one of our trees....several were observed & the entertainment was great fun!!

Eastern Bluebirds!!

Well, weren't we so very blessed with amazing temperatures & plenty of sunshine this past weekend!! Add to that, a Monday with more of the same...a fabulous way to start the week!! Here's another great way to start the week...a wonderful colour to share with you!! Blue! We've shared photos before of Indigo Buntings and we're hoping they make a return visit but this blue is that of the beautiful Eastern Bluebird!! We spotted a pair yesterday and needless to say, captured so very many photos!  Happy to share this lovely blue hue on this gorgeous Monday!!
Enjoy a great week!!

Beautiful Eastern Bluebird!!

Here's the Mrs!!

Hummingbirds Close!!

Just to keep everyone up-to-date, check out the Hummingbird Migration Maps...the Hummingbirds are getting very close!!  Reminder, feeders should go out about 2 weeks before their "expected" arrival...you could put one out now but we suggest to only put a small amount of nectar in it so that it doesn't go to waste. Don't know about you, but we just can't wait to enjoy these tiny miracles of nature!!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2015

Goldfinches

Who doesn't love the visits of Goldfinches to a garden or bird feeders? At this time of the year, their colour is continuing to brighten to that lovely yellow hue while there seems to be many more around the feeders!! Their lovely 'chatter' is fun to listen to; their actions quite amusing! We often hear from customers that they don't have many Goldfinches around, but right now, this is not so! Food that they might find in the wild is pretty much depleted so they are looking for their favourite seeds offered in bird feeders. NYJER SEED, a finch fav, is pretty popular with customers right now with many of them reporting "so many birds" at their Nyjer Seed Feeders.  As well, if you weren't aware, Goldfinches also love Black Oil Sunflower Seed and will battle for positions on the feeders containing this seed. The Goldfinches were looking quite spectacular yesterday with fog a lovely backdrop!!

Lovely Goldfinch in the fog with buds getting ready to pop!

National Wildlife Week - April 10 to April 16

April 10 to April 16 is "National Wildlife Week". 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the "Migratory Birds Convention"  between Canada & the U.S.  It was the first international treaty signed with respect to conserving wildlife. To this end, the 2016 theme for National Wildlife Week is "GIVING WINGS TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION". Donations received during this campaign will go to the "Wild by Nature" initiative.

Great-horned Owl

Migrants Near!!

While we don't usually see our favourite migrating birds until the first few days of May (usually around the 5th), many other folks often see them a few days or more before this. For the nectar-loving ones, it may also depend on what varieties of blossoms or flowering plants are showing their splendor in one's garden during their arrival. We try to check migration reports as often as we can to see where the birds have been reported. We were delighted & surprised at the same time today to see that Baltimore Orioles have already been sighted in Ontario & Michigan! We are so very excited to welcome them to our garden!!  **Make sure you are ready...Check out our excellent selection of nectar feeders, jelly feeders, seed feeders & quality seeds so that you are prepared for the arrival of not only Baltimore Orioles but also Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Hummingbirds, White-crowned Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows & more!!