Cardinals Too!

In our previous post, we mentioned how the cool, damp weekend had brought so many beautiful birds to our feeders. While most people weren't too impressed with the weather, the birds were certainly enjoying that our feeders were filled for them! It was fun too that many showed up with their newly-fledged family ~ so much entertainment on a dreary weekend! Along with the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks featured a few days ago, the beautiful Cardinals also made an appearance.

Female Cardinal enjoying the Squirrel Buster Plus

Fun at the feeders with the Downys & Grosbeaks

Busy Birdfeeders!

It was a rather nasty, damp, cool June weekend but it made for great entertainment & plenty of birdwatching around the bird feeders! More & more young favourites are being brought to the feeders or to the trees & shrubs around the feeders. This past weekend included Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (featured today), Baltimore Orioles, House Finches, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers and more!. What a treat to see all these wonderful birds teaching, learning, enjoying the various seeds & feeders that we offer ~ such a great time to feed the birds.! Hope you experienced the same in your garden...Have a great week!! Note: We will be closed Wednesday, July 1 for Canada Day.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks ~ "Pop" with "Jr"

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

Pretty Goldfinches

Always fun to welcome the Goldfinches to the garden! Their bright yellow jackets add that extra feeling of summer as they move through the trees & shrubs while their gentle squeaks & tweets are such a fun sound!! They've been quite busy around the nyjer seed feeders recently with many refills required. They frequent the other seed feeders as they also enjoy black oil sunflower seed & white millet. Goldfinches seem to come & go from the garden often finding seeds in the wild and they sometimes take a little longer to adjust to a new feeder. Don't be discouraged....keep some fresh seed in your feeder & hopefully you will be rewarded!! (They're pictured here in our garden enjoying a Droll Yankees Nyjer Seed Feeder.)

Pretty Goldfinches pictured here on a Droll Yankees Nyjer Seed Feeder

Goldfinches love the Nyjer in the Drolls Yankees Feeder

Feeder in Cage works for Hairy Woodpecker too!!

We hadn't noticed a Hairy Woodpecker around our garden since we added the cage to the peanut feeder....until last night! It was great to know that they are also 'ok' with getting peanuts out of the feeder! It was wonderful evening of entertainment as the Hairy Woodpecker arrived, then a couple of Downys. Unfortunately we only captured a shot with the one Downy. Perfect that some can be "safe" inside the cage while others find a way to get the peanuts from the exterior! Have a fabulous Thursday!

Hairy Woodpecker clinging to the bottom...Downy Woodpecker clinging to the side!

Full view of the cage with Hairy Woodpecker

Everybody Needs Water

Water is important to us all....and is also a great way to keep the birds & critters calling your place home! Water in the form of bird baths, ponds or even flat dishes are a welcome sight by so many. Butterflies like a wet, muddy spot as they require the minerals that the soil provides....Consider adding a dish especially for them & other insects. Make sure to the change the water often as standing water attracts mosquitoes. If you have all the necessary elements ~ water, food, shelter, native plants and are maintaining them with "earth-friendly gardening practices" why not get your garden "certified" by the Canadian Wildlife Federation!! It's easy!

Chippy Drink

Mourning Dove at the bird bath

Tricky Red-bellied Woodpecker

As mentioned yesterday, we were concerned that we would eliminate the Red-bellied Woodpeckers from the peanut feeder by adding the cage. However, it took only moments after arriving at the feeder, for this male to figure out what he needed to do! So glad this is working out as we want to welcome all the Woodpeckers but keep the blackbirds from cleaning this feeder out! Note: Feeder & Cage sold separately...If you already have a tube feeder, can add a cage as long as your feeder is an appropriate size.

Red-bellied Woodpecker arrives at peanut feeder with cage

Found his prize!

Ready for takeoff!!

Adorable Downys

Why do we love to feed the birds all year long? There's always some new action & plenty of entertainment to enjoy at various times during the year!! The past week or two has been no exception and proves once again to be one of the best! It's the time when adults bring their young first of all to the trees, shrubs, fence posts near the feeders, then eventually the young figure out their 'landing gear' & where the food is,  joining mom or dad on the feeders!! This past weekend it was time for the Downy Woodpeckers. We've heard their cute squeaks from the trees for several days then noticed they were coming to the feeders. Camera in hand, we captured a few shots of the happenings. We decided to bring home a cage & the peanut feeder fit perfectly!! It provides a little peace & quiet for the smaller birds. While we were concerned that this would also eliminate the Red-bellied Woodpecker, he has proven otherwise figuring out a way to get his share of the peanuts too!

Downy Woodpeckers ~ Learning & Enjoying!!

Happy Father's Day ~ "Pop" with the "Kids"!!

Many "Bird Dads" do so very much at this time of year, so we thought this a perfect day to share the beautiful sightings we've had of Baltimore Oriole nests. While we haven't captured too much around any nests this year, we've been fortunate to witness & video many happenings in past years! We know you'll enjoy this video of "Pop" Oriole bringing food to their nest! Wishing everyone a very Happy Father's Day!! (Thanks to Paul Nicholson for the feature on "Bird Dads"!!)

Entertainment from the Wrens!

We decided this year to put up a few new birdhouses around our yard....to see what visitors we might be able to welcome. In the past week or so, there's been plenty of chatter from the Wrens so we had to check out what was happening. We knew that birds had been perching on the tops of the houses, but hadn't really taken the time to watch. This past Monday we were able to get a few shots and a short video of the action. These guys really do provide plenty of entertainment...if time is on your side!!

Wren on a birdhouse roof top!

Our view from below!

Ivory Silk Lilac Tree a Pollinator 'Magnet'!

Our Ivory Silk Lilac trees are out in full, glorious bloom & have been covered with various pollinators as you can see from the photos that follow!! While they can be a wee bit messy when the blooms brown & fall (if located in a patio area as one of ours is), we still love the mild fragrance, the delicacy that they bring to our garden and the beauties that are attracted to them. It's always nice to add a few different colours & textures as contrast can provide much more depth & interest in the yard. The Ivory Silk Lilac does this...It's only for a limited time but we certainly appreciate the elegance they provide & the pollinators that love them!  Look for these trees at your local garden centre!!

Hummingbirds love Weigela!

The Weigela "Bristol Ruby" have been in full bloom for over a week now....and the Hummingbirds, Butterflies & Bees love them!! It's great fun watching all of these beauties move from blossom to blossom throughout the day. Look for these lovely shrubs at a local garden centre near you....Add some glorious colour & attract the pollinators too!

Hummingbird in the Bristol Ruby Weigela!

Family Time with the Sparrows

We always love this time of the year...it confirms to us why we enjoy attracting & welcoming the birds to our yard with feeders, trees & most importantly - water. When the adults bring their newly-fledged young to the garden & introduce them to the feeders, what fun it is for everyone!! The wing flapping, chirping...and sometimes squawking...is delightful as the little ones look for a serving of seed from mom or dad. This family of House Sparrows has recently arrived and we are loving every minute!! We hope that you too are seeing some new arrivals in your area!! Yes...they're House Sparrows, but you must agree, they're pretty darn cute!!

Lunch Time!!

The Great Canadian EcoFest

The 3rd annual Great Canadian EcoFest is happening this Sunday, June 14 in beautiful Komoka, Ontario!!  The event runs from 10am to 4pm with lots of fun stuff for the whole family! Admission is free and you can enjoy Dog Agility Shows at 11:30 & 1:30; Tennis Lessons from 11 to 1; Charity BBQ; Eco Marketplace; Birds of Prey Show; Live Music & More!! This is going to be the place to be on Sunday ~ Make sure to say hello to our good friends from local rehab ~ Swift Care Ontario ~ You might just find some of our bird houses at their booth!! For additional EcoFest information: http://www.greatcanadianecofest.ca/

**If you're interested in seeing all of our previous updates & news posts, be certain to click on the "News" tab ~ Thank you!!

Brown Thrasher

Over the last couple of weeks or so we've noticed a few different tunes in our garden. One was particularly unique with several different tones & sounds...like it was coming from more than one source....quite amazing actually! Upon further investigation, we discovered these beautiful tunes were coming from a Brown Thrasher. This bird has since been observed in the area of our feeders, but most often we discover it in various tree tops....each time noticed from the  sounds we hear before an actual sighting! Be certain when you're spending time in your garden or on a stroll, to take a little time to 'listen to birds'. We know you'll be really glad you did!!

Brown Thrasher high in the tree tops!

Wrens!

While some of our favourites are busy nesting & not around  the feeders quite as often, it's always fun to welcome some new action to the garden. Over the past few days, the Wrens have been more noticeable  with their lovely tunes & quick movement through the trees. They've started to add nesting materials to a gourd that we have hanging in a maple tree. (We have just a few gourds remaining, so please call ahead to check on our supply.) They are a joy to watch as they quickly gather & place the small twigs. They nested here last year while others nested in another area of our yard - also in a gourd....wonderful to have them back!!

Local Food Week!!

While Wild Bird Feeding products make up the majority of our business, we do offer many other items including.....foods for you!! We've got delicious Local Honey, Local Maple Syrup & Maple Syrup products, Local Jams & Relishes, Local Peanuts, Local Sparkling Cider....Happy Local Food Week!!

Local Honey, Local Maple Syrup, Local Jams & Relishes!!

Local Sparkling Cider,  Local Honey

Goldfinches

Goldfinches are a favourite at backyard feeders...they love nyjer seed from feeders specifically designed for this seed! While some folks discontinue offering other seeds during the summer months, plenty continue to offer Nyjer Seed for the beautiful Goldfinches!! These little yellow birds are a joy to watch and a joy to listen to....quite entertaining in so many ways!!

Male Goldfinch getting his fill of nyjer seed from a Droll Yankees feeder!

Try Safflower!!

One thing we know for sure....Cardinals, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and House Finches LOVE Safflower Seed! One other thing about this seed....typically, most blackbirds and squirrels do not! When "blackbirds" are hanging around the garden, many of our customers switch to safflower seed. While you won't probably get the variety of birds and while it may take a bit for others to get to like it, it may be a choice you'd like to try! Hope you're having a great week in your gardens!!

Northern Cardinal feeding from a tube feeder filled with Safflower Seed!!

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks enjoying Safflower Seed

Happy Victoria Day!!

We hope you've had a wonderful holiday weekend....Wishing you all a very Happy Victoria Day!! We're back to regular hours tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19th. In the meantime, please take a little time  to listen to the birds....take in all that nature has to offer!

Baltimore Oriole in the Bradford Pear Tree!

"Northern Owls" at Museum Strathroy-Caradoc

This looks like a fabulous event at Museum Strathroy-Caradoc - "Northern Owls" - A Royal Ontario Museum exhibition now at the museum in Strathroy, Ontario!! For additional info: http://www.strathroymuseum.ca/en/index.asp

Snowy Owl