May 05, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
The H5N1 subtype of Avian Influenza virus is spreading in Canada. It is causing severe illness and mortality in domestic poultry flocks and has been detected in waterfowl and birds of prey. It is not currently considered a disease threat to songbirds, including species that frequent backyard feeders.
May 05, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
Spring is officially here! Some of the early migrants have already arrived while most species will be arriving and/or moving through the province throughout the month and into early May.
March 14, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
March means spring! While it will be mid-April before most migrating birds start showing up or moving through Saskatchewan, two notable species—Mountain and Eastern Bluebirds—usually appear as early as mid-March. Both species are strikingly beautiful and, as secondary cavity nesters, will take up residence in nestboxes.
February 22, 2022 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
February, despite the lengthening hours of daylight and being the shortest month of the year, is still locked in the full clutches of Old Man Winter. It can be long and dreary, so Valentines’ Day is the bright spot of the month for many Canadians.
January 21, 2022 | Kelly Barany, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
This article talks about the new trend of health care professionals prescribing "time in nature" as a way to naturally help people heal mentally and physically. It also discusses how feeding the birds fits into spending time in nature with similar benefits.
December 06, 2021 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
Black oil sunflower seeds hold the distinction of being the most sought-after of all feeder seeds. In fact, sunflowers are not only dined on by dozens of bird species, but they are also eaten by a myriad of other creatures - from bees and many other species of insects to coyotes and deer. So nutritious and packed with essential nutrients are black oil sunflower seeds that they are also added as a dietary supplement for horses.
December 02, 2021 | 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 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.
November 02, 2021 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
November – a month typified by shorter daylight and dropping temperatures - is a great time to get started on a backyard bird feeing program. Not only will bird feeding stations help our avian neighbours survive the long cold winter ahead, but having wild birds within view is guaranteed to make a Canadian winter more interesting and inspiring.
October 15, 2021 | Myrna Pearman, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
Blue Jays are the quintessential birds of fall. They are both vocal and visible at this time of year as they flock together, roaming the woods and descending on backyard bird feeders. Not only is their brilliant cerulean plumage dazzling against a backdrop of yellow and red fall colours, but their raucous chatter livens up our neighbourhoods.
March 28, 2020 | Kelly Barany, Chin Ridge Seeds (en-CA)
It’s been a very unsettling time in everyone’s life for the past few weeks with the growing concerns of COVID-19. Being asked to self-isolate is difficult for many, but for parents the challenge becomes much more difficult when also asked to confine their kids. This article talks about how to introduce your children to the hobby of backyard bird feeding as a way to entertain them and to help them focus on the joy in nature around us.
