BALTIMORE ORIOLES SPOTTED!

We've had customers report sightings of Baltimore Orioles in our area while Migration Maps are showing reports of them in other areas of the province!! While we don't usually see them in our garden til about May 5, we do recommend that oranges and/or feeders be placed 2 to 3 weeks prior to their expected date of arrival....just in case. This might be the year that they arrive earlier than usual??!! We would also advise that you only put a small amount of food out for them....if they don't arrive for a bit, you won't be wasting too much.

Baltimore Oriole from May 2016

HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!!

If you have celebrations planned this holiday weekend, we wish you many good times with family & friends. Happy Holiday Weekend ~ Happy Easter Weekend!!

CORN GLUTEN TIME - FORSYTHIA BLOOMING!

We are stocked with Corn Gluten and now is the time to apply! While the window for using it is pretty short, when the Forsythia blooms, it is the most desirable time to get the Corn Gluten on your lawns!

Forsythia is blooming....Time to apply the Corn Gluten!

THE HUNT FOR THE PERFECT HOUSE/NESTBOX!

For some birds, nesting season began a few weeks ago....for others, nesting is still to come.  Many birds are currently looking for the perfect spot to raise their brood while others will begin their search over the next several weeks. Whether it be a nest in a tree or shrub or a nest in a cavity in a tree, others will be delighted with the boxes or houses you place in your garden! Welcome the gorgeous birds to your yard with one of our handcrafted, Made in Ontario Bird Houses! We know that the birds love them, so we're stocked with plenty from which to choose! These houses must be placed soon, as the birds are searching for the best spot....if they don't use them this year, they may next year!!

Lovely Eastern Bluebirds checking out a nesting site!

HAPPY APRIL!!

We're a couple of weeks past the official first day of spring, the birds are singing, some flowers are blooming, temperatures are improving! While April may have some cooler days, some milder days, some rainy days or even some snowy days, we know more great blooms 'n blossoms, birds & warmer weather will soon be on the way!  Listen to this beautiful Song Sparrow from a couple of days ago!

Song Sparrow belting out some great tunes ~ Happy April!

SHELVES ARE FILLED, WE'RE READY FOR SPRING MIGRANTS!

We're getting closer & closer to one of the best times of the year!! Migrating birds of all sorts are arriving or will be arriving soon! Favourites of many include the nectar-lovin' species - Hummingbirds & Orioles! We've been getting our shelves filled so that we can offer a great selection so you, our customers, can attract these beauties ~ Reminder that you should have your feeders placed a couple of weeks before their expected arrival! We usually welcome them to our garden around the 5th of May....some people see them sooner, others later. In any case, make sure you are ready! Check & clean your current feedersand pick up replacements or additional ones soon so that you can choose from the best selection that we have to offer. Reminder to never use coloured nectar in your feeders ~  we only sell clear nectar for the health of the birds!

GOLDFINCHES GETTING THEIR SUMMER COLOUR!

Have you noticed that the beautiful American Goldfinches are getting more & more "golden" yellow each & every day?! After watching them around the feeders for several months in their fall/winter plumage, they are now starting to show more and more of their beautiful yellow colour!  How can these beauties not bring a smile with this happy colour!!

HAPPY SPRING!

We've been seeing some early spring migrants for a few weeks now....but as of today, it is now officially spring!! While it wasn't the warmest day that we have had, the birds thought it was ok for a splash in a puddle!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!

It's a perfect day to be reminded that the official first day of spring is just a few days away and we're just a few weeks away from the arrival of so many beautiful migrating birds! Have a very Happy St. Paddy's Day!!

Beautiful Indigo Bunting

CARDINALS ARE SINGING!

We've had many swings in the weather and the temperature....it's been windy, snowy, mild and cold. It seems, from one day to the next, we can experience a variety of weather conditions! But really, what else would we expect in SW Ontario? However, no matter what the weather, the Cardinals are singing!! They have been singing for a few weeks now...it is quite the joyous sound to hear reminding us that spring & nesting season are near!

VERY WINDY...BUT NOT FOR CHICKADEES!

It was quite the day yesterday.....blue sky, sunshine....just an amazing day in March....at least, one may have thought so!  It started pretty early and as the day went on, the winds increased to the point of most areas being under a wind warning. Hydro was out in many places, trees were down, buildings suffered damage....so glad it didn't come with much colder weather and precipitation!!

While we left a few feeders up, many were taken down and placed out of the wind to avoid damage. Prior to this, we didn't have too many birds around yesterday, so no harm done. There were a few birds rather daring....including a trio of Chickadees and a pair of Downy Woodpeckers. So crazy to watch this Chickadee holding on while the feeder was swinging in the wind!

TUNDRA SWANS AT AYLMER

We visited the Grand Bend area a few weeks back and were lucky enough to see some beautiful Tundra Swans hanging out at the Thedford Bog. More recently, we visited the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area where we saw over 1000 of these beauties at one of their favourite stopover spots. It is magical to see them and magical to hear them!

For info & updates - 519-773-7926 or 519-SSE-SWAN

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

SINGING, CHIRPING, CALLING, TWEETING

Do you wake early in the morning and/or venture out doors for a walk? Have you noticed anything different over the past little while? It's getting to be that time of the year.....More & more birds are letting their lovely voices be heard. While you may have noticed some chirps or tweets over the colder winter days, if you haven't already, you might continue to hear more & more beautiful tunes as nesting season nears & territories are set.  Even early this morning, with temperatures hovering around -12C, many species added their voices to the daily selection....including a "caw" or two from an American Crow!!

HAPPY MARCH....a couple of months til this!

Happy 1st day of March!!  The weather will be making many swings over the next while, that's why we thought it would be a lovely reminder that some of everyone's favourite migrating birds are only a couple of months away!! Included in this are the beautiful Baltimore Orioles....we're ready with our excellent selection of everything you'll need....nectar feeders, jelly feeders, nectar mix.... to attract them to your garden! We think that we can officially count down the days until migration is in full swing!!

Gorgeous male Baltimore Oriole

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS HAVE RETURNED!

Red-winged Blackbirds were visiting our feeders yesterday! They are always among the first migrants to return in the spring with some believing that they are a sure sign of spring!  Unfortunately, it appears as though we will be having a return to colder temperatures in March. Whatever happens, we know that living here in SW Ontario, we will experience many temperature & weather changes!

TUNDRA SWANS IN THE AREA!

A special sight to see and hear, the Tundra Swans have returned to areas in SW Ontario as they continue their journey north. While they don't normally arrive until mid or late March, they are in the area now and some were spotted in late January! After wintering in Chesapeake Bay and other areas along the east coast/coastal mid-Atlantic, they travel to remote areas of the arctic. They enjoy stop overs in many areas, including the Thedford Bog near Grand Bend and the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area.

FAMILY DAY WEEKEND!

We've had some outstanding weather this weekend...it has brought some new visitors to our garden and to the area!! Some robins arrived in our yard this week.....we finally captured a photo of them yesterday! There have been many more tunes heard in our garden...so great to wake up to the lovely sounds of the beautiful birds chirping, tweeting and singing! If today is a holiday for you, as it is for us, enjoy!

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT THIS WEEKEND!

Become a Citizen Scientist, celebrate the Family Day Holiday Weekend, enjoy fun with family & friends during the GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT this weekend! Count birds for science any time from Friday, Feb. 17 to Monday, Feb. 20!! It is easy for the whole family to take part....you can spend as much or as little time as you want. Not only will the event be a great experience for you & your family, it will be educational for all!

NATIONAL FLAG OF CANADA DAY!

Celebrate our beautiful country....Today & every day!