Gilligallou's Blog

Louise Beckinsale
female-eastern-towhee

Spring Spotlight – The Eastern Towhee

While there is a report of an eastern towhee that has successfully wintered close to North Gower, Ontario, there have yet to be any reported sightings of this large sparrow on eBird so far this month.  As the temperatures continue to increase, we hope to see more of this ground-feeding bird as they move into […]  

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pigeon-courting

Keep an Eye Out for these Signs of Courtship this Spring

Spring is in the air, keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs of courtship in your new avian arrivals. With the somewhat unseasonably warm weather upon us this month, there have already been a handful of reports denoting the return of some of our favourite spring and summer birds. As they return to their […]  

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Louise Beckinsale
bluejay-anting-on-the-ground

Exploring the Strange Ritual of Anting in Jays and Other Birds

For years, researchers have been attempting to explore the reasoning behind the act of anting among Jays and other species of birds. The Blue Jay may be one of the most recognizable birds in North America, particularly here in Ontario, where they are so common; our nation’s only professional baseball team is named after them. […]  

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Louise Beckinsale
robin-migrating

How Do Birds Know When to Head North in the Spring

Researchers have determined that birds seem to be equipped with a keen sense for shifting climate changes, altering migration patterns. For the most part, we can all understand the reasons birds head south for the winter and how they can accurately time their departure. The other side, the return of the birds in the spring, […]

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