Lots of folks are asking why there are so few birds at their feeders this winter, as compared to last year. The answers to these types of questions are never as straightforward as we might think. To start off, different numbers of birds are here from one winter to the next. A variety of factors … Read more
Feeding birds can be a source of tremendous pleasure. Whether songbirds at a seed feeder, woodpeckers at suet cage, or ducks and geese by a pond, watching them eat what you offer is at the same time exciting and calming. As the weather gets colder, migrating and overwintering birds can certainly use the extra calories … Read more
You might not think of The Avant-Garden Shop as a place to pick up a puzzle, but we have them! And they’re beautiful! Super high quality pieces that stick together well and are vibrant colours. And because we love flowers and birds there are lots of puzzles in those themes. In addition we have puzzles … Read more
As the days get shorter and the nights cooler, birds begin their migration to warmer climates. Andrew Jobes, local ornithologist joins me on this episode of the Garden Gate to discuss bird migration.
“May we never let the things we can’t have, or don’t have, or shouldn’t have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness let us not forget it. For one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot … Read more
We love to celebrate Canadian artists and support them as much as possible. Wendy thinks it’s time to celebrate Canada…. from the province of Saskatchewan; *easiest province to draw* to The Canadian Flag; *hardest flag to draw*. She’s always on the lookout for new Canadian heroes and retro diners. We carry a variety of … Read more
Kids want and need to be active. After a full summer of running, jumping, swimming, and climbing, often outdoors, they’re returning to school, where they’ll spend a lot of time indoors, sitting down and looking at screens. Their memories of the outdoor adventures they had with bugs, slugs, birds, and mammals will outlast any experiences … Read more
It’s been a good summer for the birds, and there are baby birds everywhere. Perhaps you’ve noticed more chatter as juvenile robins, cardinals, jays, and sparrows beg for food from their parents. Or perhaps you’ve noticed what sounds like familiar song but a bit off-key? That’s the sound of juvenile birds learning and practicing their … Read more
Carlotta James from Three Sisters Natural Landscapes (http://www.3sisters.ca/) is my guest on this episode to talk about pollinators and pollinator gardens. Pollinators are very important for our environment. Without them we would have much less food available to us. It is estimated that one of every three bites of food depend on pollinators. The Three … Read more
The Peterborough area is blessed with an abundance of American Goldfinches, which some people call Wild Canaries. Male Goldfinches are a rich lemon-yellow, with black wings, a black tail, and a black “toupee.” Females are a paler yellow and lack the toupee (perhaps the males struggle with male pattern baldness?). Goldfinches alternate between flapping their … Read more