As birders, spring is perhaps our favourite time of year. We once again have the opportunity to really enjoy the great outdoors and everything it has to offer, without the below-freezing temperatures. As local bird populations begin to increase due to the spring migration, we are treated with lovely songs and acts of courtship all […]

Founded 27 years ago, the Mississippi Field Naturalists continue to grow while exploring and learning about the nature that abounds in the greater Mississippi Mills area just west of Ottawa. The club offers its members a wide variety of activities and outings, habitat creation, trail building, citizen science work, environmental stewardship projects along with the […]

A spotting scope is a big investment and one that can last you the rest of your days if properly cared for. Unnecessary damage can occur if and when the scope is not properly cleaned and that damage can end up costing you hundreds of dollars or perhaps even needing to replace the scope all […]

Not typically thought of as architectural geniuses, birds have quite the knack for building strong, comfortable and protective nests to birth and raise their young. With the nesting season upon us, it is a great time to get out and see if any local birds are making their homes close to yours. While most of […]

A seemingly endless amount of effort goes into the beautiful songs of the Northern Mockingbird, which can sometimes sound like multiple birds singing rather than just one. These birds were once so sought after as house pets for their lovely songs; they almost completely vanished from areas of the eastern coast of North America. Today, […]

Hummingbirds typically beat their wings up to 80 times per second and are often busy during the spring foraging for insects, nesting and searching for a mate. As it might be hard for some to imagine, these high-speed birds do actually take time to rest by perching on a nearby twig or small tree branch. […]

As the summer months approach, hummingbirds are a top backyard visitor among avid birders. If you have a hummingbird feeder, or numerous hummingbird feeders in your yard, it is no secret how quickly these active birds can drink your feeders dry. While store-bought hummingbird nectar is a great solution to easily keep your feeders full, […]

The colourful wood duck is a beautiful sight to see, especially considering not too long ago these ducks were on the brink of extinction to due lack of habitat and over-hunting. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act is one of the driving factors behind the resurgence of this species of duck along with the increase of […]