We live in a rural area with a large field behind us and wooded swaths about half a mile north and we get a lot of birds. All winter we have cardinals, sparrows, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, gold finches, juncos, mourning doves, purple finches plus the odd blackbird, blue jay and robin and lots … [Read more...]
Canadian Geese Say Hello – Camping in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
In the spring and fall big flocks of geese fly overhead in long V formations, going north, or south, or over to the next puddle of water to take a break or stay for the summer. We didn't see geese or ducks much when I was a kid; in fact we didn't have nearly the variety of birds at all that we get … [Read more...]
Tardy Hummingbirds Are Back! Orioles Came First This Year
We saw our first ruby-throated hummingbird today flitting from feeder to feeder. They are tardy! Most years they show up around my Mom's birthday, April 23. We put our feeders out on the 19th and waited. The hummingbird migration map, which you can see here, showed the early birds arriving … [Read more...]
Remember Woody Woodpecker? Pileated Woodpecker in My Yard
The other day a big black and white bird flew among the trees by the side of the road. At first I thought it was a magpie - not a Michigan native - before spotting the crested red head. It was a pileated woodpecker. If you're the right vintage you may remember Woody Woodpecker cartoons. … [Read more...]
Waiting For the Birds of Spring
In Kalamazoo we have robins year around although we don't see them often. I have seen them near the suet feeder but usually they sustain themselves on the crab apples or berries left during the winter. Recently I saw a flock of them on the tree in driveway circle that has small fruits on it. It … [Read more...]
How to Keep Birds Alive During Bitter Cold Winter Days
Birds can fluff up during the cold and survive - if they get enough to eat and if they can get water to drink. This weekend brought bitter cold, wind and a foot of snow to southeast Michigan. It snowed about 8 inches Saturday night. Sunday morning was quite pleasant with no wind and mid 20s and I … [Read more...]