This post may contain affiliate links, we will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. I share that commission with nature non-profits each month. Thank you. Getting through the Quarantine with less Stress If you’re stuck at home like me, you may be going stir crazy about now. Boredom Anxiety Feeling disconnected Stress are making our lives even more difficult. Psychiatrists suggest connecting with nature may help relieve some of the symptoms of our isolation. And with spring here - what a perfect time to consider backyard bird fee ..read more

I have fielded questions about feeding birds for years and I am affectionately (I think) known in Central Texas as the BIRD LADY. So let me take a moment to answer a few of the questions I have gotten from you. (Note: this post contains affiliate links, I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase) Q: WHAT’S THE BEST SEED TO FEED WILD BIRDS? There is no “best seed” because different kinds of birds prefer different varieties of seed. Black oil sunflower, however, pleases a variety of bird species like finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, jays, chicka ..read more

Spice up your spring by inviting the neighborhood birds over for brunch! American Goldfinches on a Nyjer Feeder [As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. In addition this post may contain other affiliate links. We will make a small commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase. See our legal page for further information. ] SPRING…hooray! It’s Spring. Daffodils and crocuses (or is it croci?) are pooping up, grass is greening, snow melting and hungry birds are on their way north. And although this is a very unusual spring for the world’s huma ..read more

White Wagtail by Nick Bruschuk Rainy, cold (by Texas standards) Sunday morning and I had every excuse to stay in bed most of the day. “Get up!” says my beloved husband. White Wagtail at Roy Guerrero Park. Ten minutes later we’re clutching our morning tea and we’re on the road again. I knew next to nothing about wagtails other than they are cousins to pipits and, as their name implies, have a habit of continuously bobbing their tail - sort of a hyperactive and prettier mockingbird. We got to the park and followed the other birders to st ..read more

Purple Martin at nesting gourd Being a Purple Martin landlord can provide some of the most rewarding (and occasionally heart-breaking) moments for an avid nature lover. This morning I suddenly realized that the Purple Martins will very soon take to the skies on their northern spring journey. Here in central Texas, our martins return around February 15th so we have just a few weeks to make sure the houses are ready. OUR LARGEST SWALLOW Purple Martins - our largest North American swallow - over most of their breeding territory require hum ..read more

SHADES OF BLUE We’re deep into winter - even here in Texas - but it dawned on me this morning that spring was just around the corner. And even while I enjoy the Chipping Sparrows and cardinals visiting my feeders, I am daydreaming about the blue spring migrants that will return in a few weeks. I love the bunting family. There aren’t many blue nesting birds in North America - jays, a couple warblers and, of course, our 3 species of bluebirds but blue seem to be under-represented in our avian rainbow. The bunting family are cousins to cardinals and grosbeaks. Five members of the genus Passeri ..read more

Most birders are listers meaning they keep a list of the birds they see over a period of time - day, month, time spent in Florida, trip to France, lifetime. Many birders get very involved with their lists and create a list for anything you can think of (and many things you would NEVER have thought of). While a backyard list is pretty common, I have known birders who have lists for roadkill birds, birds in captivity, birds seen or heard on tv or in movies, birds that aren’t on any other list and so on. Lists are NOT a requirement to enjoy birding but many birders find it a great way to help r ..read more

Winter birdfeeding is upon us and although we miss our summer visitors, new winter friends have already joined our year-round resident birds. What to Feed the Birds? Seed blends are always attractive to people (like a Golden Corral buffet for birds!) and may seem convenient or a good deal but they are often packed with filler seed that none of our backyard birds will eat. You’ll often notice the birds at the feeder scattering the seed everywhere. They are trying the reach the seed they actually prefer and tossing the junk seed on the ground. Ever notice that moldy gunk and those sprouts und ..read more

Click here for WINTER BIRDFEEDING BASICS and SPECIAL FOOD FOR SPECIAL BIRDS. Happy Birding ..read more

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