HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving, a wonderful holiday weekend!!
We're open today 9 to 5, Closed Sunday & Monday
THANKS for supporting local ~
A few other items that you may not know that we have or that have just arrived.....
LOCAL GARLIC - from Komoka
LOCAL PORK including chops, bacon, sausage -
from "The Whole Pig" - Dashwood
(Last night, we enjoyed more delish chops on the BBQ...conveniently offered in a packages of 2!)
CLOVERMEAD HONEY - You probably know we have this yummy honey...did you know we have their RAW HONEY??!!

PEACE & CALM...THANKS TO THE BLUEBIRDS

We hadn't seen the Bluebirds since July but on Sunday, Sept. 24 and on Sunday, October 1, we were delighted to see them and capture a few shots!! Such beautiful birds, they sure do bring some peace, some calm when it is most needed.....

HEARTFELT THOUGHTS....

Following recent events, we send our heartfelt thoughts & sincerest sympathies to all affected

#PLACES WORTH PROTECTING

From now until November 30, share a photo of your favourite #Places Worth Protecting and Telus will donate $5 to Nature Conservancy Canada!!  As well, entrants will get the chance to win an essential phone from Telus! So, get uploading your photos and see others from across the country as they appear on a map...how fun is that!!

In addition, here's some info how Birdwatching Apps play a role in conservation!

HAWK CLIFF WEEKENDS

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Hawk Cliff this past weekend - the Monarch and Raptor presentations were excellent! All attendees were delighted to learn about the life cycle and stages of the Monarchs, then were treated to tagging and release demonstrations...how special!! Following this, we were introduced to an American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Northern Harrier. Once the presentation and question/answer segment concluded, many took advantage of closeup photo opportunities then also saw the birds released! The event continues this coming Saturday & Sunday!

American Kestrel during the presentation at Hawk Cliff during Hawk Cliff Weekends!

DOWNY WOODPECKER FUN

You just never know what the birds in the garden might be up to until you take a wander around. Last week, we noticed some movement in one of our birdhouses. Somebody was inside and occasionally sticking their head out the entrance hole. Figuring it was probably a House Sparrow, when we investigated further, we were quite surprised to see a cute Downy Woodpecker providing the entertainment!  It was definitely a fun surprise on a September day!

MONARCH MIGRATION FESTIVAL SUNDAY, SEPT. 17

Friends of Rondeau Provincial Park present their "Monarch Migration Festival" on Sunday, September 17, 2017.  Along with a visit to a beautiful spot in Ontario, enjoy tagging demonstrations, an artisan market, hikes, crafts and more!!

HAWK CLIFF WEEKENDS

September is a great month for many wonderful events, including but not limited to, fall migration festivals!! One of these is coming up ~ HAWK CLIFF WEEKENDS at Hawk Cliff near Port Stanley, Ontario. Here's the details from the website of Thames Talbot Land Trust, one of the partners ~

"This annual event has been hosted for over 40 years by the St Thomas Field Naturalists Club (STFNC), Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders, and volunteers of Monarch Watch. Thames Talbot Land Trust is pleased to be a partner on this event again this year."

"The Hawk Cliff Weekends is a free outdoor event taking place on September 16th, 17th, 23rd and 24th from 11am-3:30pm each day. Come out and celebrate the amazing fall migration in a beautiful setting at Hawk Cliff Woods."

"Highlights include":

• Twice daily Hawk Talks by STFNC and Hawk Cliff Raptor Banders
• Twice daily Monarch Butterfly talks by STFNC and volunteers of Monarch Watch
• Guided hikes led by Thames Talbot Land Trust
• Native plant gardening workshops
• A special presentation about Ontario's snakes and turtles, by Sssciensational Snakes!

HUMMINGBIRDS CONTINUE TO DELIGHT!

While we are experiencing cooler than normal temperatures in this area and throughout the province, the Hummingbirds continue to visit the nectar feeders and the flowers around the garden. Some bring a smile just by perching & preening! Please keep feeders cleaned & filled for some time yet....some Hummingbirds may have moved on, some are still hanging around and others that nested further north will continue to travel through our area. The Hummingbirdswill appreciate the nourishment that your nectar feeders will provide as they prepare for the long journey south.  These tiny miracles never cease to amaze and entertain...enjoy them while they are here!!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird September 6 2017

CANADIAN PET EXPO - TORONTO

If you are in the Toronto area or planning a trip that way this weekend, Sat. Sept. 9, Sun. Sept. 10, you may want to check out the Canadian Pet Expo!! It is happening at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario.

A FEW SEPTEMBER EVENTS....in LONDON & ONTARIO!

FESTIVAL OF HAWKS - SEPT. 9/10, SEPT. 16/17, SEPT. 23/24 HOLIDAY BEACH

CANADIAN PET EXPO - SEPT. 9/10 IN TORONTO

HAWK CLIFF WEEKENDS - SEPT. 16/17, SEPT 23/24 NEAR PORT STANLEY

DOORS OPEN LONDON - SEPT. 16/17

MONARCH FESTIVAL - SEPT. 17 RONDEAU

LONDON INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW - SEPT. 22/23/24

2016 LONDON INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW

ONTARIO FAIRS BY DATE

INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH - Walton, Huron County

HAWK FEST 2017 ~ THREE WEEKENDS IN SEPT!

This year's Festival of Hawks takes place at Holiday Beach Conservation Area over three weekends this month - Sept. 9/10, Sept. 16/17 and Sept. 23/24 - and runs from 9am to 3pm each day!!  A variety of activities for the whole family will be offered - banding demos, live Hawk displays, photography workshops, bird & nature walks & much more!!

BACK TO SCHOOL - ENJOY!

It's the first day of school, the first week of school for oh so many....we wish everyone lots of wonderful learning & teaching experiences!! Have a great Tuesday, Sept. 5 2017!!

"POP" Baltimore Oriole doing some teaching around the feeders July, 2017

HAPPY LABOUR DAY!!

As Labour Day is a stat holiday, we will be closed....back to regular hours Tuesday, Sept. 5!! Hope everyone is enjoying a great holiday weekend!!

COOLER TEMPS....LONGER HUMMINGBIRD VISITS....HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!

The overnight and early morning temperatures have certainly taken a dive....actually quite below what the normal should be!  While in our kitchen this morning, we noticed a Hummingbird at one of our nectar feeders. We really should have kept track of how long he stayed at the feeder but we can say that we were able to capture several videos and photos. We were not even taking these for the whole time that he was here!  You may notice the same around your feeders with the cooler/cold temperatures. Please keep feeders cleaned & filled for a while yet....both Orioles & Hummingbirds will be here for a bit or will be traveling through...thanks for giving them a hand!! (While we had Orioles at our feeders yesterday, we generally find that they move on well before the Hummingbirds.)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird September 1/17

M Baltimore Oriole August 31 2017

POOCH PLUNGE THIS SUNDAY!

If you are in the London, Ontario area....and you have a pooch....you might want to check out the annual POOCH PLUNGE this Sunday, September 3rd!! What a great way to celebrate the end of the swimming pool season for one of London's public pools and to have some fun with the canine in your family!!

ReFOREST LONDON NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Want to help out the fabulous folks at ReForest London and help keep the "forest" in the "Forest City"??  If you are available during the run of the Western Fair, ReForest London needs volunteers!! 

Here's some of the details from ReForest London's post - " We are looking for Community Liaison volunteers to staff a seedling booth at the Western Fair! Shifts are 3 hours long and volunteers receive free admission to the fair on the day of your shift. For more information and to sign up visit www.signup.com/go/rZzzDg"

SOLAR ECLIPSE TODAY!

On this day when everyone has SOLAR ECLIPSE on their minds, we thought this sunny yellow would be the perfect bird to share!  Enjoy the "show" safely and have a great Monday!!

BALTIMORE ORIOLES STILL HERE!!

The summer season for migrating birds is winding down....but we are still enjoying the visits of the beautiful Baltimore Orioles! Right now, we welcome each visit as if it was their first as we know that they won't be around too much longer!! We hope that you are also enjoying some of these beauties and others before they return to their winter homes.

APPRECIATE.....EVERYTHING!

On a recent early morning walk, we were blessed with many great sightings - Killdeer, Red-tailed Hawk, flock of rather loud Canada Geese, one lone Duck and a beautiful sunrise! It was wonderful to see the birds that we did, and the amazing sunrise,  but what really caught our attention on that glorious morning, were the webs in the grass. We've noticed them before, but not like this. Had the sun not been as bright as it was (forcing us to look down as we walked); had there not been a heavy dew that the sun sparkled upon, we wouldn't have thought twice about these creations! It's just a reminder to look in every direction; take everything in and really appreciate everything all around!!