While the early fall here in the Ottawa area was quite tumultuous when it came to weather, things have seemed to have calmed down quite a bit over the past couple of weeks. Entering into a more “seasonal” temperature bracket, our migrating birds have left us and we have been treated to additional sightings to […]

A problem plaguing birders around the world is unwanted guests, and when you are feeding your birds the very best in bird feed (thank you!), it is not hard to imagine why.  In addition to the number of feathered guests our bird feeders enjoy, they are also occasional feeding grounds for a variety of mammals […]

When it comes to feeding our wild birds, maintenance matters.  With the potential for the spread of illness and disease among birds and other species, keeping our feeders properly cleaned is something we cannot ignore. While we all live busy and dutiful lives, feeder maintenance must be among our top priorities, especially during the damp […]

When it comes to habitat creation, native plants, shrubs, and trees are the name of the game.  With the risk of poisoning or disease often associated with the use of non-native plants, conservationists, horticulturalists, and naturalists all agree that going native is the best for not only our birds but for the ecosystem as a […]

The animal kingdom is a wild place, filled with both predators and prey all working in the balance of a complete ecosystem.  As humans, the way we behave, distort and play with these types of ecosystems can have very big effects on the animals that inhabit them. As we drill it down to our feathered […]

While we certainly do not like to discriminate against any bird species, there comes a time when watching your feed get devoured by flocks of hungry birds grows tiresome.  For those of us that enjoy sharing our seed with all the native and visiting bird species to us here in Ottawa, sometimes we just need […]

For some of us, the battle carries on from season to season as we work diligently in an attempt to deter squirrels and the like from invading our bird seed located in and around our feeders.  While to some birders, squirrels and other mammals are a welcome sight, and as a natural part of nature, […]

Image: Flikr Small, nimble and fast are some of the words we often use to describe our cute little hummingbirds but their true nature can also lend itself to additional adjectives not quite so synonymous with these small birds. While they are certainly delicate and small, our hummers can exhibit some extremely territorial, competitive and […]