MARCH SNOW....BUSY FEEDERS!

Once again we have received a lovely snowfall (lovely, for some, we suppose).  It seems so very strange to wake up to the wonderful sounds of birds singing, including the Red-winged Blackbirds that we associate with warmer temperatures, only to find a fairly heavy covering of snow!  While having this once again might be a disappointment for many, it certainly brings plenty of cheer to the garden as the birds (including Goldfinches, Juncos) flock to the feeders!!

HAPPY MARCH - HAPPY MAPLE SYRUP SEASON!!

The recent warmer temperatures along with the cool nights have the sap flowing around many parts of Ontario...and we've got some local fresh Maple Syrup now available! Happy March!!

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

A special weather statement has been issued for our area, with the possibility of  heavy snow later on Thursday and in to Friday!  At the moment,  some forecasters are having a difficult time predicting amounts of snow expected.  In any case, the birds in your garden will certainly appreciate you keeping feeders filled during this return to cooler temperatures. With snow also possible, you know that the birds will be once again looking for food from garden feeders. As well, we all want to help the birds to remain strong & healthy for the upcoming nesting season!

A return to winter with snow expected Thursday, Friday...hopefully not this much!

A TASTE OF SPRING

We've been blessed with a few days of spring-like weather!  It has brought some new arrivals to the feeders including Red-winged Blackbirds and Grackles. A sure sign of spring are the Tundra Swans...many have been reported in area fields or spotted 'flying overhead'. Others have reported the beautiful Killdeer!  In our last post we suggested getting birdhouses placed...it is never to early as seen in the photo below!!

Eastern Bluebirds were checking out a house this week during spring-like temperatures!

NESTING SEASON....JUST AROUND THE CORNER!

Any time is a great time to place a nesting box/bird house...and now is a perfect time!! Cavity-nesting birds will soon be searching for that perfect spot to make their nest...how exciting would it be for them to choose a location in your garden with that location being a bird house!!?? As always, we offer a simply awesome selection of bird houses here at Hyde Park Feed & Country Store but please be aware that after sharing pics such as this, our stock can change quickly!

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

Great Backyard Bird Count, happening this weekend around the world, continues until Family Day Holiday Monday.....Become a Citizen Scientist by counting birds in your garden!!

NEW PUZZLES HAVE ARRIVED!!

We have a lovely selection of puzzles always available....and new ones have now arrived!!  Puzzles are an excellent way to keep the mind active and a great way to pass the time during cold, snowy days, rainy summer days, holidays or anytime.  It seems we frequently hear of folks having a puzzle on the go, often working on it around the dining room table...with family or friends lending a hand!

A recent popular puzzle choice!

GO CANADA GO!!

If you are looking to show your Canadian Pride during the Olympic Games or are attending a "cheer event", we have some Canadian flags available....GO CANADA GO!!  A few Canada 150 flags are also available at reduced pricing!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!! If you're looking for any last-minute ideas, stop by to check out our selection!!

EXTENSIVE SEED SELECTION...and WE KNOW THE BIRDS LOVE IT!

If you've never dropped by our locale at 1830 Gainsborough Road, London, let us tell you that you will be very impressed, not only with our amazing Wild Bird Feeder & Bird House assortment, but also with our extensive selection of seed & seed mixes...along with our pricing!! With everything from Black Oil Sunflower to Nyjer Seed to Safflower Seed, to Hulled Sunflower, to Peanuts in or out of the shell, to Striped Sunflower and favourite SEED MIXES...we have it all & more!!  Suet blocks, Seed Logs, Suet Balls, Corn Cobs, along with containers to offer them, can also be found!!  If you follow us on IG, FB or Twitter, you know the birds love what we sell!!

ANIMALS ON THE MOVE IN SEARCH OF FOOD SOURCES

Please, please be aware of your surroundings....at dusk, early a.m. or any time of the day.  With all of the snow we have had, animals (especially deer) are on the move looking for their food sources, easily accessible food sources. When you least expect, they could be crossing a country road or a city street as they move from one area of land to another; from areas around an open source of water to a field that had something that might provide some nourishment for them. Whether you are traveling through a small town, a larger city and anywhere in between, be advised to slow down, be alert and take care for your own safety and that of the animal.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!

It's Groundhog Day!! No matter which groundhog you believe, the "official" first day of spring is Tuesday, March 20th....Are you counting down the days?

Or.....Perhaps you'd rather count down the days til.....

SNOW & COLDER TEMPS, BIRDS EVERYWHERE!

We have recently had many customers report a lack of birds around their feeders.  It coincided with above freezing temperatures and melting snow cover....birds were most likely finding food in the wild.  However, with a return to cooler temperatures along with fresh snow cover, feeders should be once again busy!!  The birds will search out the the easiest place they know of to find nourishment....if that happens to be the feeders in your garden, lucky you!!

GARDEN SEEDS ARE HERE!!

If you've got dreams & plans of gardens & planting in your heads, our Garden Seeds are here!!

TURKEY TROT

One just never knows when area wildlife might put on a little bit of a show for all to see!! Yesterday, these Wild Turkeys were foraging for food in a local field. While photographing deer that also appeared in the same field, we suddenly realized these guys were shifting their location, moving across the road in front of us!!  While we had parked our vehicle, this serves as a good reminder to pay attention & slow down while driving country roads, city roads...or anywhere for that matter!!

NEW NYJER FEEDER VISITORS...PINE SISKINS!!

We noticed a couple of days ago that there appeared to be some different birds around our Nyjer Seed feeders. Upon closer inspection and a zoom with our camera, we realized that we did indeed have some Pine Siskins in our garden and at those feeders!! We've heard that this might be a good year for more "winter finches" so we encourage you to keep an eye out for what you might also see!!

Notice the striping along with the yellow in the Pine Siskin

LOVIN' THE CARDINALS!

The colder temperatures and snow certainly has brought many beautiful birds to our feeders!  We have been delighted to welcome a few pairs of Cardinals of late....and we couldn't be happier!

RABBITS AROUND THE GARDEN

On the dull, cold or blustery winter days, the Eastern Cottontail Rabbits visiting our garden sure can bring a few smiles!  One can only hope, with all the snow that we have seen recently, that we do have branches left on the shrubs that occupy our outdoor spaces....time will tell!!

NATURE IN THE CITY - STARTS IN ONE WEEK!

Nature in the City, co-sponsored by Nature London & London Public Library, starts a week from today - Tuesday, January 16!!  Nature in the City is a six week series of presentations where information is shared in order to encourage & stimulate interest in the natural world that is all around us....including in the city!!

COLD, SNOW = BUSY FEEDERS!!

Lots of us continue to be under some unusually cold temperatures for this time of the year. Added to that, many of us have had plenty of snow over the past several days due to the "open" and "warm" Lake Huron.  However, there's nothing like the cold and snow to bring plenty of birds to the feeders!! Reminder, to clear the seed ports of snow & ice, pack or clear snow below for those that feed from the ground and keep your feeders filled!!  With this cold, the birds will use their energy to stay warm rather than using it to find food....thanks for helping our feathered friends!