HAPPY MARCH....a couple of months til this!

Happy 1st day of March!!  The weather will be making many swings over the next while, that's why we thought it would be a lovely reminder that some of everyone's favourite migrating birds are only a couple of months away!! Included in this are the beautiful Baltimore Orioles....we're ready with our excellent selection of everything you'll need....nectar feeders, jelly feeders, nectar mix.... to attract them to your garden! We think that we can officially count down the days until migration is in full swing!!

Gorgeous male Baltimore Oriole

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS HAVE RETURNED!

Red-winged Blackbirds were visiting our feeders yesterday! They are always among the first migrants to return in the spring with some believing that they are a sure sign of spring!  Unfortunately, it appears as though we will be having a return to colder temperatures in March. Whatever happens, we know that living here in SW Ontario, we will experience many temperature & weather changes!

TUNDRA SWANS IN THE AREA!

A special sight to see and hear, the Tundra Swans have returned to areas in SW Ontario as they continue their journey north. While they don't normally arrive until mid or late March, they are in the area now and some were spotted in late January! After wintering in Chesapeake Bay and other areas along the east coast/coastal mid-Atlantic, they travel to remote areas of the arctic. They enjoy stop overs in many areas, including the Thedford Bog near Grand Bend and the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.

FAMILY DAY WEEKEND!

We've had some outstanding weather this weekend...it has brought some new visitors to our garden and to the area!! Some robins arrived in our yard this week.....we finally captured a photo of them yesterday! There have been many more tunes heard in our garden...so great to wake up to the lovely sounds of the beautiful birds chirping, tweeting and singing! If today is a holiday for you, as it is for us, enjoy!

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT THIS WEEKEND!

Become a Citizen Scientist, celebrate the Family Day Holiday Weekend, enjoy fun with family & friends during the GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT this weekend! Count birds for science any time from Friday, Feb. 17 to Monday, Feb. 20!! It is easy for the whole family to take part....you can spend as much or as little time as you want. Not only will the event be a great experience for you & your family, it will be educational for all!

NATIONAL FLAG OF CANADA DAY!

Celebrate our beautiful country....Today & every day! 

VALENTINE'S DAY...TOMORROW!

Still looking for something for that special someone? Did you know that you might find a unique item here? Stop by 1830 Gainsborough Road, London, Ontario to see what we have...you might be very surprised!! Find these lovely hearts - necklaces, earrings, charm bowls, magnets & more....All of these items Made in Canada!

VALENTINE'S DAY IS ONE WEEK AWAY!

For certain, you may want to give someone lovely flowers or chocolate, but you may have others on your list that you want to purchase a little something for on this upcoming Valentine's Day....Grandparents, Friends, Children, etc. We have plenty of suggestions, many in the colour of the day...RED!  Look for lovely candles (beeswax or soy), clocks, seed or nectar bird feeders, sparkling cider, tea towels, puzzles...and so very much more!

DONATION UPDATE

For those of you who have heard about our collections/donations for Raja.... Donation Update.... We are good for clothing donations for Raja....thanks to everyone who has offered or dropped items off. We have compiled a contact list for what people have to offer re: what Raja might need when he finds a place to live - ie. furniture, kitchen accessories, etc. We have taken information from folks & will contact them when he has place, if the item(s) are needed. Again, thank you all so very much for your care, concern and wonderful support! Our hearts are warmed beyond belief!

HELP US HELP RAJA!

As many of you will be aware, the century building known as the Lobo General Store, was destroyed by fire yesterday. It was home to Raja, the gentleman many of you might have seen around here working on pallets. He has lost everything and had no insurance. For now, we will be collecting $$ donations for him and will advise at a later date items needed when he finds a place to live. Also, if you know of a place for rent in the country, please give us a call. Thank you in advance for your help! MANY, MANY thanks to CTV LONDON for sharing Raja's story!

HELLO FEBRUARY!

A little fresh snow, sunshine and the sky a most lovely shade of blue is a most welcome sight on this first day of February! Today is Winter Walk Day....a perfect day to get out & Listen to the Birds! We were delighted yesterday to see another most wonderful shade of blue, that of a beautiful Eastern Bluebird!

COOLER WEATHER RETURNS

It's the final weekend of January 2017 and we are welcomed with cooler temperatures and a little snow.  While many have been enjoying warmer temperatures than what we normally expect in January, others have found fewer birds around their feeders. This return to more seasonal weather, along with snow, should signal more beautiful winter birds in gardens in our area. Keep your feeders filled with our superb seed and seed mixes and watch the birds return!! This morning, our first sighting was of this beautiful male Red-bellied Woodpecker....Happy Friday!

NEW PUZZLES JUST ARRIVED!

A great way to entertain & pass the time.....If you weren't aware, we have puzzles offering the most amazing images with some new ones having just arrived!! Others that were back ordered prior to Christmas are also here, so please feel free to call to see if the one you were looking for is now available. As well, additional new images will be arriving in the next few weeks....All of them are simply stunning!! If there's one in particular that you are looking for, let us know!!

TUNDRA SWANS!!

While it is still quite early in the season, Tundra Swans have been reported in the Grand Bend area in the last few days!! On a lovely February 3, 2016, we came across a few enjoying some sun in a local field. We were pretty stunned to see them when we did, it is even more so to know that they are in the area now....in January! If you have never been up close with these beauties, it really is pretty spectacular to hear & see them!  Many from this area travel to see them during the Tundra Swan Festival at the Lambton Heritage Museum in Grand Bend or the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, Aylmer, Ontario, but be reminded, expected dates of arrival are approximate. Additional information ~ Pinery Provincial Park.  VIDEO we shot at Aylmer - CLICK HERE!

MILDER WEATHER....FEWER BIRDS?

You may have noticed fewer birds around your feeders since the milder weather arrived. While we still have Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Cardinal pair, Chickadees, Juncos, and others, the numbers are definitely lower right now. If you are concerned about "your" feathered friends, don't worry, they know where they found food previously and will visit your feeders again....very soon. Keep seed in your feeders, but maybe put a little less in them in these damp conditions, especially if you have noticed fewer numbers of birds/seed going down more slowly. Photo - We love that our Cardinals still visit and brighten these gray days!

Sunny January Day!

Is there anything better, midwinter, than a crisp, sunny January day? Not only a great day to hike or get out and about, but also a perfect day for capturing a few shots of the beautiful birds! With a stunning blue sky as the backdrop and a cutie, puffed up Goldfinch in the perfect spot, we share with you one of our shots from this past Sunday! Have a terrific Tuesday....take care as there is plenty of slick conditions in many areas.

LOOK TO THE FIELDS, TO THE TREES!

Whether you are out in the countryside on a Sunday drive or strolling through the parks, conservation areas, exploring the city or hiking along a river, take a moment to look to the fields, to the trees. Look & listen for what you might see, what you might hear! On a recent drive down township roads, we were urged to slow our vehicle as three larger birds flew directly over us. As we watched, pulling carefully to the side of the road, we realized they were joining the rest of their flock.....Turkeys! A little further down the same road, we noticed "white birds" swirling, dipping & diving, a long way off in a distant field....Snow Buntings!! Turning down another road, we drove slowly constantly looking to the trees & fields. Success....so far away but we noticed two "white spots" in a distant tree....A pair of Hawks! While we couldn't get the greatest of pics/videos due to the distance, it was rewarding to know that we had seen some of the beautiful wildlife that make this area their home!  **Take care driving on country roads....while they may not be busy, one must still make certain it is safe to slow down or pull over.**

COLD & SNOW....BUSY FEEDERS!

We've recently been experiencing some colder than normal temperatures for this time of the year. While many folks may not like the colder weather, it certainly has brought many beautiful birds to the feeders! The entertainment around them and throughout the garden has been terrific, helping to pass the time on these winter days.  Just a reminder to keep feeders filled, clean snow & ice from seed ports, pack or clean snow from below the feeders, for those that search for seed on the ground, and offer fresh water if possible. You will want to do everything that you can to help the birds conserve their energy!!

LOVE WOODPECKERS!

Our Peanut Feeders have been very busy....we are loving the visits by both the male & female Red-bellied Woodpeckers along with the Downy & Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-breasted & White-breasted Nuthatches and all the others that love peanuts!! Yesterday, we were amazed at how long a female Red-bellied Woodpecker stayed on our Squirrel Buster Peanut Plus, while the feeder swayed in the windy conditions. They are all such a joy to watch; a joy to welcome to the garden!

Male Red-bellied Woodpecker on our Squirrel Buster a few days ago.

Lovely F Red-bellied Woodpecker enjoying the Squirrel Buster (yesterday) as it swayed in the wind!

REUSE...RECYCLE...YOUR TREE!!

Were you a family that had a real tree in your home? Have you put it out for recycling or are you going to? That is great...perfect, in fact.... but you can also recycle it in your yard! Consider leaving it in your garden as a spot for birds and/or critters to take cover from a storm or from predators. If you have bird feeders, a good idea is to place it near the feeders in a spot where it will offer protection from the prevailing winds and winter weather. We have often placed ours on the NW side of our feeders, either standing upright or laying on the ground - both suggestions work well. While the City of London is offering a special collection date for tree pickup, you can keep it in your garden, then cut it up & place at the curb during the spring cleanup dates. Thanks for helping the birds & others this winter!!

Mourning Doves enjoying protection from our tree that was placed near our feeders