Happy Thanksgiving!!

From Our Family to Yours...
Wishing Everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Juncos Are in the Area

While we haven't noticed any in our garden, as of yet, the Juncos are back in the area!  We visited Fanshawe Pioneer Village this past Sunday during Doors Open London and had our first sighting of a Junco!!  Over the past couple of weeks, customers have also told us that they have had Juncos in their gardens! We also spotted a White-crowned Sparrow at Fanshawe.

Dark-eyed Junco at Fanshawe Pioneer Village

White-crowned Sparrow....what a cutie!!

Fall Is In The Air

There has been a touch of fall in the air the last few days....the temperatures have cooled & there's a few new colours on the trees, shrubs & plants. It is a spectacular season of fall fairs, fresh produce, warm decor & celebrations, hikes & events with family & friends. We hope you can get outside & take in all that nature has to offer!!

Hummingbirds...Still Here!

Today is Monday, September 26th....and yes, we continue to enjoy visits by the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds!! It has been great today with constant visits to our window feeder; they are really putting on a show! They have been spending time on the perch for a number of seconds allowing for a few photos, hovering and buzzing around the garden. We are certainly going to miss them when they finally leave! If you are still seeing Hummingbirds in your garden - Enjoy!!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird at our Window Nectar Feeder ~ The view from inside!

Happy Autumn!!

We've had a wonderful summer of great temperatures & fabulous bird sightings...hope you did as well! Autumn has arrived and we look forward to all the glorious splendor that this season brings....stunning colours, migrating birds, family gatherings, local produce, beautiful decor, hikes through the crunch of falling leaves, visits with friends and seasonal celebrations!

From our Family to Yours...From Our Place to Yours....Happy Autumn!!

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are pretty constant visitors to our feeders...Red-bellied, Downy & Hairy...We so enjoy welcoming all of them for their great entertainment! Northern Flickers are often heard & observed in our yard...they are another gorgeous woodpecker!  If you offer a Peanut Feeder or Suet Feeder in your garden, you have a good chance of welcoming one or more of these lovely birds too!

Red-bellied Woodpecker enjoying the Squirrel Buster peanut feeder!

Pileated Woodpecker...Returns!

A number of weeks ago, we were delighted to share photos of Pileated Woodpeckers that suddenly landed in our yard....it was so amazing!! We thought at the time, this was a one time thing.  However,  yesterday, while outside cleaning & filling our nectar feeders, we heard a rather loud "Wuk, Wuk, Wuk"!! Sure enough, a Pileated Woodpecker had returned, eventually ending up at the base of the same tree we had seen the others in previously!!  A short time earlier, a lovely Northern Flicker was spotted at the top of the same tree...the old evergreens are favourites of oh so many.  As we always say, Listen to the Birds....never know what might be there!! Have a fabulous Wednesday!!

Beauty Pileated Woodpecker!

Hummingbirds ~ Still Here!!

As of this morning, we are still enjoying visits of the beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbirds ...we hope you are as well!! We've heard that they are still a fair distance north too, so keep your nectar feeders cleaned & filled for a while yet.  While some that you've been seeing during summer could move on soon, others that nested further north will be flying through...be sure to give them all a helping hand!!

Enjoy your Monday & have a fabulous week...some lovely sunshine & great temps on the way!!

Red-headed Woodpecker!!

A number of years ago, we were delighted to welcome a Red-headed Woodpecker to our garden. He didn't stay for long, but he did take a few moments to check out our peanut feeder. We did manage to get a rather blurry photo or two. We hadn't seen one since then...until now! Yesterday, one of those beauties returned and we managed to capture a short video, along with a few photos. As many of you will know, it is so very difficult to try to capture some decent photos....you don't want to scare the bird before getting anything; you're so excited, it's tough to get the camera in focus and many of them don't stay still for long!  We are really hoping he might return, but, who knows....at least we spotted him yesterday! 

Extreme heat & humidity have returned; please take care....make sure everyone stays hydrated; check on elderly neighbours & those with health issues along with young children. As for pets, provide a cool spot & plenty of water. Birds & critters appreciate & need water too!

Red-headed Woodpecker

Happy Labour Day!

We couldn't have asked for better weather for this September Holiday Weekend....From the Cardinal Capital of Canada and from our family to yours ~ Happy Labour Day!! We're back to regular hours tomorrow - 8:30am to 5:30pm...See you then!!

Finch Frenzy at the Feeders

It's been a pretty crazy week for Finches around the feeders!  The Goldfinch Family visit often...you can hear the squawking & chirping from a distance as they are oh so very loud! Poor Momma Goldfinch can hardly keep up with her very hungry brood as they call from the feeders, from the trees, from everywhere it seems...looking for food!! The entertainment & fun have been nonstop this week with several visits a day from the Goldfinch Family!!

It's the Labour Day holiday weekend...weather looking fabulous for SW Ontario...Enjoy!!

New Selection of Barnboard Birdhouses

If you've never visited us at 1830 Gainsborough Road, London, Ontario, you won't know about the tremendous selection of WILD BIRD productsthat we have to offer!! We've got the space and it is filled to the brim with amazing selections, including these gorgeous barn board bird houses...Plenty of other designs to choose from too!! Feeding & Housing wild birds is our specialty...Come see why!!

New stock just arrived ~ Just one of the many designs we have to offer!!

Keep Nectar Feeders Filled!

Folks often ask & wonder how long they should leave their nectar feeders out & filled. They are concerned, and rightly so, that they will be affecting the migration of Orioles & Hummingbirds by offering food sources.

Not to worry....these birds, along with all the others, know when they need to move on! You will actually be helping them to build up their strength for their very long flights ahead!!

So please....keep your nectar feeders sparkling clean & freshly filled for a while yet. Just when you think they have all moved on, others that spent the summer further north, will be moving through! Might as well enjoy them for as long as you can!  (If you're having issues with Yellow Jackets, Wasps, etc. try moving the feeder a few feet, keep the ports clean, place feeders in the shade & make sure the nectar is fresh/clear)

Baltimore Oriole enjoying the nectar at our feeder

Splashing Fun...Everyone Join In!!

It's been quite the summer of heat & humidity!! We don't think we've seen as much action around our fountain & bird baths....ever! The entertainment has been fabulous and the sharing...spectacular! On this one day, it was pretty special to see a Cardinal in the top of our fountain only to be joined by a couple of Baltimore Orioles on the lower levels...priceless!!

"Listen to the Birds"

We so very often remind people to take a few moments to "Listen to the Birds"...while on a hike, while cycling through a forest, while spending time in the garden. The birds tell us plenty with their sounds. One may hear a newly-fledged family squawking or calling for food; adults singing their sweet tunes; others just simply chirping with delight. Many times, if you are listening closely, one species is warning that another species is nearby. For example, you may hear Blackbirds or even Chickadees making lots of noise sending a sign to others that a predator - for example, a Hawk - is in the area!! Such was the case this morning, for us. It has happened before, but never have we spotted what we saw today - A Bald Eagle!  Needless to say the Crows were in fine form & not happy!!  The bird sounds bring many a feeling of peace & joy; a smile on an otherwise gloomy day or some moments of rest & relaxation. This morning we felt much delight & excitement and we thank the Crows for reminding us to "Listen to the Birds"!!

Rewarded this morning....the Crows told us something was up & sure enough it was!! A Bald Eagle was perched tree top looking over our yard!!

The Heat Continues...Offer Fresh Water

We're having the longest stretch of heat & humidity of the summer with, once again, heat warnings. The bird baths, fountain & water dishes that we have spread around our yard & garden have been very busy spots...for both the birds and the critters! Reminder to change the water often as you don't want stagnant water sitting around....it can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The birds & critters appreciate fresh, cool water with it being an attractant for a larger variety of birds to make your gardens their home.

Eastern Bluebird (male)

Hot & Humid

We're in the midst of some very hot & humid days, with some areas receiving a little rain, others not so much or none.  Don't worry if your lawns have turned brown, they look after themselves by going dormant. It is so much more important to water & take care of the trees on your properties....they provide shade & cooling for you & your home; they provide homes, food and cooling for the birds & critters that enjoy your yards & gardens!!

White-breasted Nuthatch searching for food in one of our trees.

Happy International Cat Day!

It's Monday, August 8th.....It is also International Cat Day!! We have been delighted over the last several years to support a local rescue - Holly's Hope Cat Rescue! If you are looking to add a new feline member to your family, please consider one from a rescue near you. If you already have a cat in your family, reminder that we offer catnip toys/monkeys with all $$ to Holly's Hope!! Cash Donations are also accepted! Looking for gifts for the Cat Lover in your family? Drop by to see what we have to offer....Never know what you might find!!

Eastern Bluebirds such a Treat!!

All birds are so very special and are such a joy to observe. We've been blessed with their visits the whole year round, with new arrivals & a few surprises! The Eastern Bluebirds have been a real treat to watch as they swoop & dive from their perches on a quest for food, choose a nest box, raise a successful brood and just plain make us smile!! Should you want to enjoy some of the best entertainment around, add a bird house to your garden....the joys are endless, the scenes amazing, the fun unending!!

New Guest....First Time Ever Spotted...Pileated Woodpecker!!

It's always so very exciting to hear about a first sighting or to experience a first sighting or to welcome wildlife to the garden that one hasn't seen in a very, very long time! A first sighting while on holidays, on a hike near home or anywhere is just so amazing to experience! We've been delighted to share with you photos of some of our "firsts", along with the regulars, or those we haven't seen since childhood.  Today was another one of those days for us!!

Upon arriving home earlier, we heard a loud, hollow knocking. Didn't really think much about it...it wasn't really that loud! We noticed a Crow part way up a tree but it wasn't doing anything to make this type of noise. Something told us to get the camera and go back outside. Upon further investigation, we discovered a Pileated Woodpecker at the base of one of our trees. Struggling to get the camera in focus in order to get a few decent shots, we realized there were in fact two of these beauties!!  Still shaking with excitement, while also trying to hold a fully zoomed camera lens & once again focus, we noticed a third "flaming red crest"!! For the most part, this third one remained hidden on the other side of the tree and since we didn't want to scare them all off by trying to get closer, we just captured what we could with the zoomed lens!! Many thanks for not minding our excitement...We've never seen one before, but after seeing so many pictures of them, they were on our "list"!!

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker!!