A Bluebird family had a hard time this year. They had tried to nest in the garden since April but the House sparrow chased them out of the first nest box even though they had finished building their nest. Then they picked another nest box on the other side of the garden. She, female is the one who does the nest building, finished the nest … Continue reading The Resilient Bluebird
This year we have a surplus of Wren families. Both types of Wren, Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) and House Wren (Troglodytes aedon), decided to raise their families in the garden. House Wren is the one who always raise their young here while the Carolina Wren stays with us during the winter then goes back to the wooded areas in late spring. But this year the … Continue reading Wrens
To all the Dads who have nurtured a child on this Earth. Continue reading Happy Father’s Day
The weather forecast for a foot of snow last Sunday didn’t become reality however the temperature has dropped down to 0 Fahrenheit plus windchill factor of -20 Fahrenheit. Icy rain water from Sunday turned into solid ice on all surfaces. Our driveway, from which we cleared wet snow & slush off and salted, still became skating rink. Wherever I look there is either frozen snow … Continue reading Winter Birds
Busy Raising Families This is a busy time of the year for us as well as the birds. Â We are busy with garden chores-cleaning up, pruning, feeding and planting. Â The birds are busy building their new families. Â The Bluebird’s eggs have hatched and the parents have been making endless trips feeding five chicks. Â They are growing up really fast. Â It will take around 15-20 days … Continue reading Update On Bird Families
Almost A Full House The temperature is still seesawing, but most of the migrating birds have reached us on their usual schedule.  The Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have finally settled in one of the bird boxes and have started building their nest despite harassment from the House sparrows.  We really have to keep an eye on this one to make sure that the sparrows don’t … Continue reading Back From Wintering
Molting & Paring As much as Mother Nature doesn’t want to let go of winter weather, birds in our garden don’t want any part of it. Â Their songs are much louder now and they chase each other around in the garden a lot more too. Â There are a couple of things indicating spring has arrived: American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) are molting and the arrival of … Continue reading Spring Birds
Lending A Hand To Avian Friends We have been hit by a brutally cold winter since Christmas that has become much worse in the last couple of days.  Yesterday and today the temperature hovering in the single digits, Fahrenheit, during the day and dropping down below 0°F at night.  This number does not take windchill into account which would drop it into negative double digits.  This … Continue reading A Brutally Cold Week
Celebrate A New Beginning Continue reading Happy New Year
Three Inches Of Good Spirit We kept checking daily if we’re going to have a white Christmas or not. Â The weather forecast kept switching between rain and snow. Â This is what I woke up to on Christmas morning… It was a peaceful and quiet morning. Â The wind didn’t pick up until close to noon. Â Then the trees were flayed bare again by the howling wind. … Continue reading White Christmas
Petals and Wings 