By Claire Jones
Early spring bird feeding changes almost overnight. All winter the feeders were busy — chickadees arguing, sparrows squabbling, woodpeckers tapping on frozen mornings — and then one day in March, silence. Nothing has gone wrong. Your garden has simply shifted from cafeteria to nursery. Early Spring Bird Feeding: The Winter Transition During winter, birds survive …
Continue reading "When the Bird Cafeteria Becomes a Nursery"
Birds have many strategies to survive without our help, but as a concerned birder, I like to think that offering nutritious food tips the balance in their favor during extreme weather. Mortality during prolonged cold snaps is significantly higher for birds, and studies have shown that survival improves when birds have reliable access to backyard …
Continue reading "Extreme Weather Strategies for Birds"
Bird House Gourds, Lagenaria siceraria, a type of tropical squash native to northern Africa, have been on my radar for a few years and finally I decided to bite the bullet and grow them last season. Using my large cattle fence arbor, which usually supports cucs, cherry tomatoes, and beans, I knew I would have …
Continue reading "Seed to House – Growing Bird House Gourds"
The Audubon Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) runs from Feb 14-17, 2025, which is an unique opportunity to get the family involved in this popular hobby to record bird sightings. This international annual Bird Count unites the world in connecting to birds and has expanded every year involving more and more people across the globe. …
Continue reading "Great Backyard Bird Count 2025"
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) runs from Feb 16-19, 2024, which is an unique opportunity to get the family involved in this popular hobby to record bird sightings. This annual Bird Count unites the world in this one endeavor. An event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a …
Continue reading "Backyard Bird Count 2024"
Crossing out several names on my Christmas list this year, I was left with a bird lover/watcher who I knew would appreciate homemade bird treat ornaments. Feeding hungry songbirds in winter is a great way for people to interact with nature and help birds get through the tough months of winter. Studies show that bird …
Continue reading "Homemade Gifts for Bird Lovers"
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) runs from Feb 18-22, 2022, which is an unique opportunity to get the family involved in this popular hobby to record bird sightings. An event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations, the GBBC is a great …
Continue reading "Great Backyard Bird Count 2022"
Recycling a fresh cut Christmas tree into a bird feeding station is the ultimate repurposing of your Christmas decorations. Setting up my old tree next to my bird feeders gave me hours of enjoyment watching birds feeding, chirping, and feasting - not to mention the squirrels pigging out! Just watching the squirrel antics kept us …
Continue reading "Bird Feeding Station From Recycled Christmas Tree"
Crossing out several names on my Christmas list this year, I was left with a bird lover/watcher who I knew would appreciate homemade bird treat ornaments. Feeding hungry songbirds in winter is a great way for people to interact with nature and help birds get through the tough months of winter. Studies show that bird …
Continue reading "Bird Lover’s Homemade Gifts for Christmas"
This post has been updated to a new version with updated recipes and pictures at Turn Your Christmas Tree into a Bird Buffet. Recycling a fresh cut Christmas tree into a bird feeding station is the ultimate repurposing of your Christmas decorations. Setting up my old tree next to my bird feeders gave me hours …
Continue reading "How to Turn Your Old Christmas Tree Into a Wildlife Magnet"
Hearing from everyone how awful this year has been- I agree! Until I remember everything good that came from the garden. If you don't have a garden, I commiserate. Gardening has kept me sane and quite busy this year. January I recycled my Christmas tree for the birds. Try that this year instead of setting …
Continue reading "2020-A Great Gardening Year"
Baby, Its Cold Outside! A popular song says it all! Birds are declining in record numbers and need our help. Birds have many strategies to survive without our help but as a concerned birder, I like to think that my practice of feeding them nutritious food tips the balance in their favor during extreme weather. …
Continue reading "Suet Is For the Birds!"
