swans-during-spring-mating-season
Louise Beckinsale
3 Ways Your Backyard Birds Are Trying to Attract a Mate This Spring

  Love is certainly in the air this time of the year for our backyard birds.  As more and more of our summer residents continue to arrive here in the Ottawa area, we are treated to lovely spring mornings filled with fluttering birds and their accompanying songs. As we progress into the month of May, […]

 

male-and-female-starlings-tending-to-their-young
Louise Beckinsale
The Roles of Raising Young in Birds

A common misinterpretation among birders and other nature lovers is that the female of the species is the sole care-taker for any newborn birds.  While in some cases this can be absolutely true, in most others, it is quite the opposite. Typically speaking, the majority of bird species partake in a socially monogamous relationship for […]

female-cardinal-on-nest
Louise Beckinsale
How Long Do Birds Sit on Their Eggs?

At this point most of the 700-or-so species of birds here in North America have built their nests, found a suitable mate, have laid their eggs and are currently awaiting the arrival of their new brood.  As some of us notice nests and eggs in our backyards or in local wooded areas, we often wonder […]

 

bird-nest-with-3-eggs
Louise Beckinsale
How Many Eggs Do Birds Lay?

At this time of year, many of our backyard birds have been paired up, built their nests and are likely incubating eggs as we speak.  As we progress into the summer months we will soon be treated to the welcoming sight of new baby birds leaving the nest. A common question we often receive is […]

birds-nest
Louise Beckinsale
Attract Nesting Birds with the Right Nesting Materials

Utilizing birdhouses, nesting boxes, sufficient water and the best seed on the market are all sure-fire ways to attract more birds to your yard and keep them there.  When all these pieces are put together, avid birders often look for more ways to attract birds in any number of ways.  In addition to birdscaping, […]

 

blackbird-building-a-nest
Louise Beckinsale
Birds That Begin Nesting as Early as March

Well, the month of March is upon us and it might be safe to say that most of us are at least getting somewhat more optimistic about the possibility of an early spring. While we certainly cannot predict the weather patterns we will experience over the next month or so, we do know one thing […]