Now that Trick or Treating is over, we will inevitably start concentrating on the next big upcoming holiday; Christmas.  As we await Saint Nick, we also begin preparing for the winter wonderland coming our way over the next number of months. As birders, each season affects both our seed selection and the manner in which […]

Whether or not we want to admit it, we are on the cusp of winter here in eastern Ontario. While we are in no rush to wish away this lovely fall we have been having, as birders, we must face the music and ensure our back yards are well prepared for the coming cold. Our […]

With a relatively mild winter on our hands, at least in comparison to other years, we have been treated to a great deal less snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. In addition to these obvious factors, we have also been treated to seeing some new species in our area as well as noticing more and more migratory […]

While the Great Backyard Bird Count has come to a close for 2016, we are already hearing bits and pieces of different sightings being reported around the globe. While submissions are still being totaled until March 1st, organizers have released some data on the GBBC website and through the eBird portal. This fall and winter […]

If you live in the north-eastern portion of North America, you likely experienced a touch of the polar vortex that sent thermometers crashing over the past couple of days. Here in Almonte, we experienced temperatures with a wind chill of roughly minus 44 degrees Celsius. That being said, there were a number of us who […]

Voted as one of bird watchers favourite winter birds by Birds & Blooms magazine, the dark-eyed junco is a common and energetic sparrow that is a delight to behold. These birds can be found throughout the continent of North America, stretching from sea to sea and covering most of the northern portion of the continent. […]

The 19th edition of the Great Backyard Bird Count kicks off on Friday, as birders around the world head record various sightings and report them back to count organizers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. As exciting as these counts already can be, this year’s count is expected to be a little bit special. In […]

Given the time of year, we turn to a migrating species that will soon become highly visible in most of southern Canada and the northern United States. The Northern Shrike is a highly predatory songbird, often killing more prey, when possible, than it can immediately eat or feed to their young. These birds will, however, […]