It Started With A Song I noticed this morning that there was a new but vaguely familiar bird singing in my backyard. I get passers-by all the time so I didn't take any notice of it at first. Later, I noticed the bird was still singing repeatedly and loudly. He had been at it for over an hour when I decided to take a closer look and see if I could figure out … [Read more...] about Tell Me Your House Wren Stories
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BirdJam As A Nuisance Bird Deterrent
An Unexpected Result As I mentioned in a previous article about the cool new bird identification software called BirdJam, I found it to be a quick and accurate way to identify birds in the field. It allowed you to greatly reduce your pack weight and reduce the chance of missing an ID because you were fumbling through your guide. What I didn't expect was being able to … [Read more...] about BirdJam As A Nuisance Bird Deterrent
When Waxwings Attack
I Promise Nobody Was Hurt Writing This Just last week, my wife and I were talking about birds we'd seen and haven't seen in our backyard this winter. Somehow, the conversation turned to one of my favorite little late winter visitors, Cedar Waxwings. We normally don't see them except in between flock movements from one part of the country to another. The Stokes guide I … [Read more...] about When Waxwings Attack
The Bluebirds Make A Last Minute Charge
If You Snooze You Lose OK. Things are heating up in the backyard. Less than a month after reporting the chickadees had staked their claim , the bluebird pair shows up and won't hear any of that noise. Late last week, I started hearing bluebirds chattering in my back yard. Since I almost never hear that sound unless they are nest building, I had to take a look. Sure … [Read more...] about The Bluebirds Make A Last Minute Charge
And The Winners Are … Chickadees
Bluebirds As Year Long Landlords For the past few years, I've had my bluebird pair that comes back from time to time to make sure the nesting box is in good repair and hasn't been destroyed by squatters. They spend up to thirty minutes about once a week looking at and in the box to make sure it will be ready for them when nesting season comes. … [Read more...] about And The Winners Are … Chickadees
Choosing the Best Birding Binoculars
Birding Binoculars Background Nothing I hate more than to hear birders getting all excited about the first pair of birding binoculars they've bought. They "did the research" and found the best pair were an astronomy-grade, double barreled telescope! Why? Because that would allow them to see birds in another county without ever going outside. How crushed they are when … [Read more...] about Choosing the Best Birding Binoculars
Time To Get Your Bird Nesting Boxes Ready
Clean Them Out Before They Start Building If you've kept your nesting boxes up during the winter for roosting you may already have noticed some of your birds coming by and checking them out. I've already got a pair of bluebirds and a some chickadees who are checking to make sure everything's ready for them. That's my clue to do the same. … [Read more...] about Time To Get Your Bird Nesting Boxes Ready
Cheapest Way To Provide Water For Birds In Winter
If you live in a part of the country or world that has harsh winters, you've got a few choices to provide water for birds in winter. You can either buy a heated birdbath, buy a birdbath heater, or get creative. The method I've been using for years is creative and has proven to be very fuss-free and effective. It involves no extension cords or electrical wiring to bury or any … [Read more...] about Cheapest Way To Provide Water For Birds In Winter