Random Sightings
From Our Gallery
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Griffon Vulture
Posted by Laurel Butkins, Sep 23, 2016.
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Summertime
Posted by Connie Fowler, Aug 03, 2016.
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Stand Back
Posted by Connie Fowler, Aug 02, 2016.
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Love is in the Air
Posted by Connie Fowler, Aug 02, 2016.
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Scrub Jay
Posted by Ethan Winning, May 08, 2016.
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Black Oystercatchers
Posted by Ethan Winning, May 08, 2016.
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If I keep on pulling just a bit more
Posted by Bret Goddard, Mar 23, 2016.
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Snow Goose
Posted by Linda Petersen, Feb 22, 2016.
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Great Blue Heron in breeding plumage
Posted by Sharon Anderson, Oct 07, 2015.
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Silent Heart
Posted by G. Schimpf, Aug 02, 2015.
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Black and White Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH
Posted by Peter R. Casey III, Jun 26, 2015.
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Magee Marsh, OH
Posted by Peter R. Casey III, Jun 26, 2015.
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Bay-breasted Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH
Posted by Peter R. Casey III, Jun 26, 2015.
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Blackburnian Warbler, Magee Marsh, OH
Posted by Peter R. Casey III, Jun 26, 2015.
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Blue green Mean
Posted by Bret Goddard, May 28, 2015.
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Hello there!
Posted by Bret Goddard, May 28, 2015.
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Lesser Goldfinch
Posted by Parker Hill, May 09, 2015.
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At home
Posted by Tania Manzur, Mar 07, 2015.
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Strike a Pose
Posted by Rose Klockner, Feb 07, 2015.
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Taking a sip...
Posted by Peter R. Casey III, Jan 17, 2015.
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Website Features
Posted on Oct 23, 2019 Comments »
You're likely already well-versed in the art of providing food and water for backyard birds. But do you know how to effectively provide cover to attract and protect birds? There are several important factors to take into consideration when installing shrubs or positioning feeder stations in your yard.
Written by Birdsquatch, Oct 02, 2019 Comments »
Dear Birdsquatch: We have been maintaining a birdbath in our backyard for more than 10 years. It has always been visited by a few bees every day. Last year the number of bee visitors increased, and this year there are so many that birds won't use the birdbath. What do you suggest?
Posted on Sep 25, 2019 Comments »
A native shrub found commonly from coast to coast, primarily in the northern half of the United States and across southern Canada, is important in helping birds survive winter.
Written by Dawn Hewitt, Sep 18, 2019 Comments »
The first day of fall—the autumnal equinox—is September 23. As the days turn colder, look beyond your feeders to the trees and bushes in your backyard. You may be surprised at what you find!
Posted on Sep 11, 2019 Comments »
It's a myth that a hummingbird, or any bird for that matter, will be deterred from heading south in the fall because of human-provided food. Instinct and hormonal urges are what drive birds to migrate, and hummingbirds are no different. Besides, there is good reason to leave your nectar feeder up and full of fresh sugar water until the temperature dips to below freezing, even if you haven't seen a hummer for weeks.
Posted on Aug 21, 2019 Comments »
Planting conifers in your yard helps provide shelter, food, nesting sites, and nest-building materials to a diversity of species that rely on these trees for survival. If you're curious about how different conifers benefit birds or are wondering about cone identification in general, we've rounded up a selection of common cones for your consideration.
Written by Birdsquatch, Aug 14, 2019 Comments »
Dear Birdsquatch: We have been maintaining a birdbath in our backyard for more than 10 years. It has always been visited by a few bees every day. Last year the number of bee visitors increased, and this year there are so many that birds won't use the birdbath. What do you suggest?
Written by Dawn Hewitt, Jul 24, 2019 Comments »
Throughout North America, August usually brings the driest weather of the year. Natural water sources for drinking and bathing can be few and far between, so by providing a birdbath or other water feature, you'll help the birds get through the dog days, and you will likely be rewarded by attracting species that don't visit your feeding station.
Posted on Jul 17, 2019 Comments »
Native vines check off multiple boxes of what birds need: nourishment, cover, housing, and mobility. Their fruits and seeds make them great food resources, their knotty networks provide shelter from the elements and protection for active nests, and small birds like warblers, chickadees, and kinglets are known to use vine systems to safely move from the tops of trees to understory shrubbery, then down to ground level. The following list explores some native vine options to consider growing in your own backyard for maximum birdy benefits.
Posted on Jul 03, 2019 Comments »
A flock of European starlings can make short work of your birdseed and suet. To encourage them to dine elsewhere, adapt your buffet and your serving utensils. Starlings' favorite foods are peanuts, mixed seed, bread products, table scraps, and suet. Foods they don't care for include peanuts in the shell and gray striped sunflower seeds—their bill isn't designed to crack open hard hulls.
Posted on Jun 19, 2019 Comments »
If you're lucky enough to find an oriole nest in your backyard or neighborhood this year, you'll be looking at the culmination of several days' hard work on the part of these vibrant orange and black birds.
Posted on Jun 05, 2019 Comments »
The word "sunflower" applies to about 70 species of Helianthus, and nearly all of them are native to various locations in North America. All varieties produce a central cluster of seeds. From mid-May to early June is a great time to plant these fast-growing beauties that will mature into nature's own bird feeder.
Posted on May 22, 2019 Comments »
Spring gives a promise of increased bird activity and fresh floral blossoms, but what does it mean when your feathered friends are preying on petals? If you maintain a garden in your yard, there's a reasonable chance that you've noticed birds plucking at your blooms at some point. While this behavior can sometimes be attributed to actual flower-eating, also called florivory, it's possible that those birds tearing at your blossoms are practicing something else entirely.
Written by Elizabeth Bacher, May 17, 2019 Comments »
Have you considered renovating your backyard to be more comfortable for birds? WBB contributor Elizabeth Bacher offers 11 ideas to make your property more appealing and safer for your feathered friends.
Posted on Apr 17, 2019 Comments »
Here's one weird, but true way to help birds during nesting season: Save your eggshells and offer them to your avian visitors. Female birds need calcium—especially during egg-laying season.
Posted on Mar 27, 2019 Comments »
Don't expect a jay or hummingbird to use a birdhouse you provide. Only "cavity nesters"—bird species that naturally nest in hollow trees or similar secluded shelters—will select a human-provided nest box. And not all cavity nesters readily adopt boxes.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Feb 06, 2019 Comments »
Is it too early to wish you a happy spring? I've been a spring anticipator my whole life. It's not that I dislike winter, but, if winter were optional, I'd probably ask for a no-thank-you helping—just enough to taste it. But spring! Oh, give me kite-flying winds and light-blue skies and soggy new, green grass, and daffodils all year long. Plus there's the anticipation of our returning bird friends.
Written by Dawn Hewitt, Dec 05, 2018 Comments »
Birds might not celebrate human holidays, but they are well aware of shorter days, longer nights, and dropping temperatures. Since most of us celebrate winter holiday by giving gifts, here are some ideas for holiday presents for backyard birds.
Written by Birdsquatch, Nov 28, 2018 Comments »
Dear Birdsquatch: A red-breasted nuthatch visited my feeder briefly in mid-September but I haven't seen it since. This is a species I occasionally see in winter, but not September! What's up with that?
Posted on Oct 31, 2018 Comments »
As you scrape out pumpkin guts for a pie or jack-o'-lantern, don't throw away the seeds! Don't even compost them! Squash seeds of any sort, including pumpkins, are a high protein treat for birds.
Posted on Oct 24, 2018 Comments »
Whether you'd like to admit it or not, summer is over and autumn is upon us. Spring cleaning gets lots of attention, but for the backyard bird watcher, there's just as much to do in fall as in spring. Check out four tips to help your backyard birds in fall.
Written by Birdsquatch, Sep 19, 2018 Comments »
Our vegetable and flower gardens are dormant this time of year, long after the growing season has petered out, I'd like to clean them out so the yard doesn't look so unkempt. I've also heard that cleaning out the dead plant matter from your garden reduces the chances of pests overwintering and emerging to attack the plants in the spring. My husband swears that he read an answer by you in this publication that stated it was best to leave the garden fallow all winter long. I think that my husband is just looking to avoid doing the clean up work. He's not lazy, but he's close to it!
Written by Bill Thompson, III, and Julie Zickefoose, Aug 29, 2018 Comments »
Raccoons are undeniably cute, but they are not good neighbors. If raccoons are raiding your feeders by night, these 10 tips are for you. Most backyard feeder perperators can use all the help they can get in fighting this mammalian marauder.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Jul 11, 2018 Comments »
Did you know? All those bird-friendly plants in your yard and garden can keep on being a source of food long past their blooming prime. Flowers such as zinnias, coneflowers, salvias, poppies, and other summer garden staples retain tiny seeds in their flower heads that birds will find in the months following frost, or the end of the blooming season (if your area doesn't have frost). Even garden plants such as tomatoes, peas, squash, and corn will harbor insect life in their stems and under their brown, curly leaves.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Jul 05, 2018 Comments »
Looking ways to attract birds to your backyard this summer? Here are 10 suggestions for enhancing the bird-friendliness of your backyard. These tips will work no matter where you live in North America!
Written by Birdsquatch, Jun 06, 2018 Comments »
Dear Birdsquatch: Last spring a pair of house wrens took over a bluebird house in my backyard. I suspect them in the untimely demise of a clutch of Carolina chickadee eggs, which I found pierced and dropped below the nest box the chickadees were using. I've heard that house wrens are not good neighbors to other cavity nesting birds. Is this true? And if so, what can I do to discourage the house wrens?
Posted on May 23, 2018 Comments »
While it seems helpful to offer it to nest-building birds, it is not a suitable material for the job. First, the strands are too short to be woven strongly. Nests built with it can develop holes, sag, or even collapse because they lack tensile strength.
Posted on Apr 04, 2018 Comments »
Monarda enhances almost any yard dedicated to attracting birds. It is native to North America, and in the mint family. Garden shops and wildflower books use such names as "bergamot," "bee balm," "Oswego tea," and "horsemint" for the various Monarda species.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Mar 28, 2018 Comments »
Most people can't wait for spring to arrive, and backyard bird watchers seem especially eager for the earth, spinning on its invisible axis, to lean closer to the sun. When the winter weather breaks, it's time to get outside to look for hopeful signs that spring is on its way!
Posted on Mar 21, 2018 Comments »
Save your eggshells and offer them to the birds. Female birds need calcium—especially during egg-laying season. Also, consider leaving those old logs in your yard. The combination of wood, water, and soil creates gold for the birds, in the form of invertebrates attracted to the decaying wood.
Written by Eirik A.T. Blom, Feb 14, 2018 Comments »
Bird watchers who pay close attention to their feeders recognize the changing of the seasons by more than the need to flip a page on the calendar every 30 days or so. Birds have their own inexorable seasonal rhythms, and for many of us it takes no more than a glance at the crowd that has gathered on or under our bird feeders on any morning to recognize that change is under-way.
Posted on Dec 06, 2017 Comments »
Looking for an ideal tree for the birds? Better for the birds than an artificial or freshly cut holiday tree is a live tree: one with roots attached and neatly balled in burlap, ready for planting in your yard as soon as the holidays are over.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Oct 11, 2017 Comments »
Looking for ways to enhance your fall birding? WBB editor Bill Thompson, III, has a few tips that will increase your chances of attracting fall migrants to your backyard.
Written by Eirik A.T. Blom, Sep 20, 2017 Comments »
Migration, which appears to be a simple concept on the surface, is actually an immensely complicated process. Migration is widely understood to be the movement of birds from one place to another. We see migration every year in our yards: Sparrows and finches arrive from the North in the fall and leave in the spring. The big picture, however, obscures the complexity.
Written by Birdsquatch, Aug 09, 2017 Comments »
I bought a birdbath at my local garden center. It's ceramic with a beautiful blue glaze on it. It looks amazing in my flower garden but it's been out there for a month and still no birds have gone near it. I've kept it clean and full of water. What gives? Don't the birds need water?
Written by Julie Zickefoose, Apr 24, 2017 Comments »
Looking for plants that are easy to grow, and repay the effort of planting them with gifts for both people and birds? Author, artist, and naturalist Julie Zickefoose lists ten flowers that are well-suited for the purpose.
Posted on Apr 03, 2017 Comments »
American goldfinches do not visit feeders as often in the summer as they do at other times of year. One way to get goldfinches to visit your yard is to grow plants they like. Generally, the goldfinch is a seedeater, preferring seeds from birch and alder trees, burdock, chickweed, and dandelion. But they also eat the leaves of Swiss chard and beets.
Written by Birdsquatch, Mar 27, 2017 Comments »
Our tall, hairy, and slightly stinky columnist answers reader questions about feeding suet dough, why nest boxes might fail, and pizza. Birdsquatch loves pizza.
Written by Howard Youth, Dec 13, 2016 Comments »
What is the most attractive feeder food for cardinals? What types of feeders do they favor? These are important questions if you're looking for ways to attract cardinals to your yard. We have the answers!
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Nov 15, 2016 Comments »
If you think birdhouses are just for nesting, you're wrong. On cold, winter nights, songbirds use tree cavities and human-provided nest boxes as shelter. There are ways to make such boxes more welcoming for your winter resident birds.
Written by Andi Haynes Avery, Oct 19, 2016 Comments »
WBB Contributor Andy Haynes Avery recently moved from an urban neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana, to a rural area with a wildlife refuge nearly across the street. Her yard birds changed, but not in way she expected.
Posted on Sep 09, 2016 Comments »
It's a myth that a hummingbird, or any bird for that matter, will be deterred from heading south in the fall because of human-provided food. Instinct and hormonal urges are what drive birds to migrate, and hummingbirds are no different. Besides, there is good reason to leave your nectar feeder up and full of fresh sugar water until the temperature dips to below freezing, even if you haven't seen a hummer for weeks.
Posted on Apr 04, 2016 Comments »
Most nesting birds feed their young protein in the form of insects, especially soft and juicy caterpillars. Some birds are strictly insectivorous, and those are unlikely to visit your seed feeders. A great way to see warblers, vireos, and other such birds is to encourage caterpillars in your garden.
Posted on Mar 28, 2016 Comments »
Here's a very affordable way to please birds! Songbirds need perches. If you can find room to plant just one tree, ideally a species native to your area, birds will find your yard to be friendlier and more welcoming, and more will visit you. If you have a tiny yard and no place to plant a tree, or if you have a postage-stamp-sized yard, or only a porch, deck or balcony to offer the birds, "plant" a dead tree! Not a plastic one, but a branch from a real tree—the biggest one you can comfortably fit in the space you have for it.
Written by Dawn Hewitt, Mar 21, 2016 Comments »
Although it is rare—even unheard of—for humans to become sick from handling a bird feeder, there is no doubt that microorganisms flourish on their surface. That's why it's important for you to wash your hands after handling your feeders, including after refilling them. Much more of a threat are illnesses and diseases spread among the birds that visit and share feeders. To keep your feeder birds healthy, and to prevent the spread of disease, follow these steps.
Posted on Jan 25, 2016 Comments »
The weather outside might be frightful for a month or two longer, but dedicated gardeners know that winter is the best time to plan a garden. Use these winter months to devise a plan to make your yard more friendly and accommodating to the birds!
Written by Wendy Clark, Dec 07, 2015 Comments »
Wendy Clark has always enjoyed holiday decorating, but now she lives in a condo that doesn't allow much room for a holiday tree. Instead of overstuffing her small living room with a tree, she places it outside on the deck and decorates it with teacups filled with birdseed.
Posted on Nov 30, 2015 Comments »
People may tell you that nest boxes must be put up in the springtime, when birds start to sing, mate, and build nests. Actually, nest boxes can be put up any time of year. The longer a nest box is part of your backyard habitat, the more likely birds are to accept and use it.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Nov 23, 2015 Comments »
If the weather gets harsh in your part of the continent, you can give birds shelter, a safe place to eat, and a place to hide from predators with a backyard brush pile. Simply pile up sticks, fallen branches, and even your holiday tree when you're done with it, to form a brushy tangle.
Posted on Oct 06, 2015 Comments »
Whether you'd like to admit it or not, summer is over and autumn is upon us. Spring cleaning gets lots of attention, but for the backyard bird watcher, there's just as much to do in fall as in spring. Check out four tips to help your backyard birds in fall.
Posted on Aug 25, 2015 Comments »
Almost all migratory birds are experiencing population decreases due to loss of habitats and environmental contamination. Nonmigratory resident birds, too, are feeling the effects of the growing human population. This is not a call to rally on the White House lawn. You can do your part in your own backyard.
Written by Julie Zickefoose, Aug 18, 2015 Comments »
Keep your birdbath clean. It's a simple adage, oft repeated, but there are reasons to be scrupulous that go beyond hygiene and aesthetics. Of course, the birds' health comes first. If we're going to provide water, we owe it to them to give the bath a good scrubbing when droppings and algae foul the water. Bird droppings contain nitrogen, which is algae fuel, so the quicker we get rid of them, the cleaner our bath will stay.
Posted on Jul 21, 2015 Comments »
If birds have vanished from your yard, perhaps they are trying to tell you something about your landscaping. Birds prefer landscapes that are a bit wild and unkempt.
Written by Dawn Hewitt, Jun 18, 2015 Comments »
Sometimes, yes, sapsuckers damage trees. Their boring won’t kill the tree, but it will weaken the wood and allow the potential for disease to enter. But not necessarily. We’ve seen enormous, healthy-looking trees with sapsucker scars. Unless you plan to sell your tree for lumber, you might never notice a health problem with the tree. Odds are, it will live for many decades despite the sapsucker holes.
Written by David B. Donnelly, May 14, 2015 Comments »
If you've got some time to spare, here are a few backyard projects to keep you going on those slow weekends.
Written by Michael Hurst, Dec 19, 2014 Comments »
When my son, Ryan, and daughter, Amanda, were around 5 and 3 years old, we built our first squirrel box as a family project. Soon after placing it high in our maple trees, squirrels began to entertain as we watched their babies grow and frolic in and on top of the box—our gift to them.
Semi-retired 35 years later, I decided to relive the good times past by placing a new squirrel box in our mulberry tree.
Semi-retired 35 years later, I decided to relive the good times past by placing a new squirrel box in our mulberry tree.
Written by Nancy Castillo, Dec 12, 2014 Comments »
You don't have to be an avid birder to keep a bird list. If you're serious about feeding the birds, why not keep track of the bird species that you have seen at your feeders, in your trees and shrubbery, or otherwise in or over your yard or property?
Posted on Dec 05, 2014 Comments »
The seeds of evening primrose can be a valuable food source for birds in cold climates throughout North America. Each flower produces hundreds of seeds, and when the flower dies, it holds on to some and drops others. The stalks of dead evening primrose are "Eat Here" signs to songbirds, marking a likely food source at the base.
Posted on Oct 02, 2014 Comments »
As you scrape out pumpkin guts for a pie or jack-o'-lantern, don't throw away the seeds! Don't even compost them! Squash seeds of any sort, including pumpkins, are a high protein treat for birds.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, and Julie Zickefoose, Jun 03, 2014 Comments »
Raccoons are undeniably cute, but they are not good neighbors. If raccoons are raiding your feeders by night, these 10 tips are for you. Most backyard feeder perperators can use all the help they can get in fighting this mammalian marauder.
Posted on Apr 29, 2014 Comments »
If you only have a little room in your garden, or want to simplify things and plant a few flowers that really appeal to hummingbirds, you can't go wrong with these recommendations.
Written by Nancy Castillo, Jan 22, 2014 Comments »
Winter can bring more northerly sparrows into your yard. Here's how you can make your yard more inviting for native sparrows.
Written by Jim Cirigliano, Oct 30, 2013 Comments »
Winter may be the best time of year for backyard feeding stations, as wild food sources become scarcer. In our yard in northwestern West Virginia, we also take an extra step that is often undervalued: We spread some handfuls of mixed seed on the ground in sheltered spots where we know skulking birds hide.
Written by Bill Thompson, III, May 16, 2013 Comments »
Looking ways to attract birds to your backyard this summer? Here are 10 suggestions for enhancing the bird-friendliness of your backyard. These tips will work no matter where you live in North America!
Written by Bill Thompson, III, Apr 10, 2013 Comments »
Most people can't wait for spring to arrive, and backyard bird watchers seem especially eager for the earth, spinning on its invisible axis, to lean closer to the sun. When the winter weather breaks, it's time to get outside to look for hopeful signs that spring is on its way!
New On This Site
Early Birds added on Feb 19, 2020
Love / Birds added on Feb 14, 2020
Top 10 Signs of Early Spring added on Feb 12, 2020
Blue December added in the gallery by Jessica Price on Dec 3, 2019
Squirrel buddies on my birch added in the gallery by Robin Sinner on Nov 27, 2019
Cardinal waiting for Winter added in the gallery by Deanna Mayhew on Nov 20, 2019
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