Andrew Jobes Can you guess how many bird species have been documented in the Peterborough region? 307! With a blend of urban areas, lakes and rivers, agricultural fields, and forests, the Peterborough area encompasses a huge variety of habitats. On top of that, we sit in an area know as “The Land Between,” the transition zone between … Read more
Love feeding woodpeckers and nuthatches? If so, suet feeders are the way to go, but suet attracts more than woodpeckers and nuthatches, and not all suet is created equal. First, suet is a firm usually animal-fat-based cake filled with fruit and seeds that are eaten by birds. Many bird species frequent suet feeders in the … Read more
Fall migration has begun. If you’re up after dark on a clear night, step outside and listen. You might hear the thin or burry chips of migrating birds’ contact calls overhead, which they use to keep together while flying south under the cover of darkness. Songbirds fly at night for a few reasons. They use … Read more
If there’s one thing that’s boomed during COVID, it’s birdwatching! With more time at home and less abroad, so many have turned their attention to the beauties they share their yards, gardens, and local parks with and are continually amazed by the variety of species so close to home. I (Brenda) saw my first American … Read more
For many, late-summer is hailed by runny noses, itchy eyes, and irritated throats. Plenty of colourful flowers are in bloom at this time of year, including Queen Anne’s Lace (a.k.a. Wild Carrot), New England Asters, and Blueweed (a.k.a. Viper’s Bugloss), but the new bloom on the block when these allergies hit is the conspicuous bright … Read more
Peterborough only got 16 mm of rainfall in May! The gardens, rain barrels, and farmers’ fields are so dry already. All the plants and critters, whether maintained in your yard or in the local natural areas all need more water. Including the birds. If you have active bird feeders (and we know many of you … Read more
Watching any bird at your feeder can bring such joy, but there’s something special about the aerial magic of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird or the vibrant colour of a Baltimore Oriole. These species arrive in the Peterborough area in early May, and both have particular feeding needs that require different setups. Hummingbirds There are several species … Read more
Spring migration amps up in April Many bird species return or pass through our region in April and May for the breeding season. Migration is extremely risky for birds: unpredictable weather, predators, window collisions, and food scarcity are all threats, never mind the raw physical exertion needed to fly continuously for hours at a time … Read more
It’s estimated that windows kill and injure more birds than any other human influence – about 1 billion birds annually in North America alone! Many of these window strikes happen at tall buildings in cities, especially during migration, but residential homes contribute to bird fatalities, as well. Research has identified several factors that contribute to … Read more
The two most recent Garden Gate episodes were filmed in my backyard. The first is about setting up a squirrel-proof bird feeding station. It aired recently and is now on the Avant-Garden Shop’s YouTube channel. The second is about including trees and shrubs in your landscaping plans to attract birds and provide shelter. It may … Read more