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June 07, 2023 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
Across the Canadian Prairies, June and July are the most active and interesting bird-related months of the year because it is nesting season! Upon arrival at their breeding grounds, birds need to recover from their migration before commencing the challenging tasks of setting up territories, finding mates, building their nests and raising their families.
May 09, 2023 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
For bird lovers across the Canadian Prairies, May is one of the most exciting months of the year. As the gloom and cold of winter is displaced by warmth and longer hours of daylight, birds start arriving on their breeding territories or delight their human observers as they pass through on their way farther north.
April 12, 2023 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
The story of the House Finch is a fascinating one. Native to Mexico and the Western U.S., a few individuals were released in New York in 1940 after failed attempts to sell them as caged birds. The birds quickly spread westward, where the two breeding populations have now converged.
March 06, 2023 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
If you would like to complement your regular seed and suet feeding offerings, I highly recommend trying bark butter! Bark butter is created by melting and mixing together peanut butter and lard (rendered pork fat). The safest way to do it is to dump the two ingredients (I use a large tub of peanut butter to a one-pound block of lard) into a large pot and turn the stove on low heat until both ingredients have melted,
January 11, 2023 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
January is a difficult time of year for many people. The bustle of the holiday season has come and gone, the dark and cold of winter still envelopes us, and the return to everyday realities can be challenging. One of the best ways to cure the January blues is to enjoy nature!
December 02, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
As we head into the holiday season, bird watchers will be marking their calendars with an additional yuletide activity – the 123rd annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Interestingly, the CBC-now the longest-running and most important bird census in the world - didn’t start out as a wildlife-friendly activity. Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt."
October 28, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
Setting out backyard bird feeding stations is one way that we can help birds in winter. Bringing birds into our yards and gardens can also liven up our cold prairie winters. There are two main types of bird food that can be offered in the winter: seeds (including nuts) and suet.
August 29, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
For folks who enjoy being outside and regularly find solace in the natural world, recent research that confirms the healing power of nature comes as no surprise. But it is reaffirming that empirical evidence now validates the intuitive understanding and long-held belief that nature is a balm for the human body and soul.
July 12, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
Birds, like humans, require water to drink and bathe. In a backyard, they will be readily attracted to any suitable water source. In fact, water will attract more bird species into a backyard than bird feeders will. A great way to learn to identify, and to become familiar with the habits of backyard birds (including those species that pass through your yard on migration) is to spend time watching a busy bird bath.
June 06, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
People who enjoy feeding backyard birds often have wider interests in nature and are engaged in a range of outdoor activities, from gardening and hiking to birding and wildlife photography. In many cases, backyard birds have sparked an interest in these other pursuits.
