Bird Watching in Toronto

Are you looking for information on bird watching in Toronto?

Having spent some time in the region, I know there is lots to see there - especially around the lakes where I tend to hang out.

Here is a site that may interest those of you in the North.

Bird Watching in Ontario

Attracting birds to your yard...

It's nearly spring and I've started to hear various song birds again. Aside from listening to the water, the next best sound is that of birds. Do you want to attract birds to your yard?

The easiest way to attract birds is with bird feeders. Start with a tray type feeder as it will make it easier for the birds to find the food at first. They will either easily see the food or other birds feeding. To really enjoy watching the birds at your feeder I recommend getting a good bird watching book. Any large bookstore should carry them and you can probably get one for just your region of the country.

You can read the rest of this article and more at www.BirdingMania.com

Birding in Kentucky - for beginners

When you are just starting bird watching, the general guides can be somewhat confusion.

I really like the idea that many locations are coming out with their own guides. Here is one such guide for Kentucky, geared toward the beginner.

Lexington Herald-Leader | 02/18/2006 | A birding guide for beginners

Another good way to start is your own backyard. One of the reasons backyard birding is a great place to start is because as you watch all the birds, you begin to recognize them, their behaviors andhow they are similiar or not to other birds.
As you compare them to the guides you are using, you learn to quickly look for certain details as new birds come into the yard. To learn more about getting started, visit Backyard Bird Watching.

Hummingbirds and Feeders

In the some part of the US, it's time to get your hummingbird feeders ready. In fact, in some places in the Southwest, you've already got hummingbirds visiting you (lucky you!).

For the rest of you...do you know where to hang your feeders? What kind of feeders are best? Do you know how to make your own feed without using chemicals and dyes?

You'll find more information at BirdingMania's Hummingbirds in Your Yard.

Bird Songs

Do you ever wonder which bird is singing that beautiful note you are hearing? I do that all the time.

When looking at various bird guides, they always include something to give you an idea of what that sound will sound like. But...I don't know about you...but it never sounds like I read it. Besides, usually, I ONLY hear the bird, not see it.

One of my favorite bird songs is made by the RedWing Blackbird. I just get thrilled every time I hear it. But it just does not sound like chortle-deeeeee.

I have a cd that plays sounds and identifies birds, but I don't find it useful. Since I don't know what bird I'm hearing, it makes no sense to listen through both CD's to find the sound of one bird.

So...other than taking an expert at sound identification out with you every time, how did you learn the bird songs? What resources do you use?

I'm looking forward to hearing your responses.

2006 BackYard Bird Count

The ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is taking place February 17–20, with a special opportunity to “Count Birds with a Buddy!” The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are asking birders to share their passion with someone new to this wonderful pastime. At the same time, every participant contributes to scientific knowledge by joining the only count that creates a mid-winter snapshot of what the birds are doing across North America.

“People can take as long as they like watching birds as part of their GBBC day,” said Dr. Paul Green, Audubon's director of Citizen Science. “Most important is that people get outdoors and have fun counting the birds they see. Then they can be amazed at the results they produce on the GBBC website; the animated maps are especially great.”

No fee or advance registration is necessary. Participants note the highest number of each species they see at any one time and enter their sightings online at www.birdsource.org/gbbc. The web site also includes instructions and bird watching tips. The count is run by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with sponsorship by Wild Birds Unlimited.

In 2005, birders sent in more than 52,000 checklists, with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6.5 million birds counted. By visiting the results pages at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, participants can see what was reported in their own towns or across the continent, and read what scientists found about the changing numbers and distributions of birds. This year’s information could help show how birds may have been affected in areas stricken by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as update what we know about declining species such as Rusty Blackbird and Painted Bunting.

Something new for bird watchers this year: the first-ever GBBC contest will generate some friendly competition. Awards will be given to states, provinces, and localities that submit the most checklists. Participants can also enter a photo contest by taking pictures of birds during the event and sending them for posting on the GBBC online photo gallery.

For further information, and to find out more for your locations, visit the Audobon Society and check out local chapters.

Are your nesting boxes ready?

Many of the birds that visit feeders and baths may stay and nest in nearby trees. Most of them, including cardinals, doves and orioles, don't nest in boxes. You can still help them by considering their food and shelter requirements in your landscape plans.

More than two dozen North American birds nest in bird houses. The following descriptions will help you determine which birds might visit your neighborhood.

Read more to find out which birds you can attract with nest boxes....

The "Superbowl of Birding"

Birders keep lists. It's in their nature

They keep lists of the total number of species catalogued in a lifetime. They keep North American lists. State lists. Neighborhood lists. Day lists. They keep "man powered" lists of the birds they've seen while on foot or bike. Some even keep lists of the species they've spotted mating.

Read Up Earl with the Birds....

Wood Ducks

The first time I saw a wood duck I was awestruck. I had seen pictures of them yes, but seeing one was unreal. At first I wondered if I was seeing a live duck...it just sat there moving with the water.

You might check to see if they are in your location. In the US, it seems the largest concentration is in the Southeast, though they certainly can be found in other areas...for instance, I'm in the Pacific Northwest.

To get more ID information on them, visit http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i1440id.html

Happy Birding!

Bird Feeders - do you know what to look for?

There are very few things as enjoyable as setting up a bird feeder and watching the activities of the different types of birds that come to feed. What birds come to your feeder will be in a large part determined by where you live. But even if you live in a city, you could be surprised by the occasional migrating bird that stops by for a quick meal. What type of feeder and what type of food you supply will also play a role in what birds you attract to your feeder.

When you first go looking for a bird feeder you will soon find there are almost as many choices as there are species of birds. There is a simple way of choosing a bird feeder though so don't let the variety get you down. Deciding what the birds you want to visit your feeder eats is one part of the puzzle. Do you have squirrels in your yard that can steal the food? Also where will you be placing the feeder? Answering those three simple questions will get you on the right path in the beginning, now let's look at some of the different types of feeders and narrow your choice down a little further.

Read more about Understanding Bird Feeders

Bird Watching Poem

Glen Hoge wrote a poem about bird-watching,
“Birding is an addiction that is for sure.
For which I am sure there is no cure.
So, I guess I will keep doing it for the rest of my life.
Right beside my bird watching wife.”

Read about the this couples approach to birding.

Happy Birding!

2,000-mile birding trail awaits tourists - OrlandoSentinel.com: Tourism

2,000-mile birding trail awaits tourists - OrlandoSentinel.com: Tourism

Wow...rare hummingbirds; endangered wood storkes, burrowing owls. What a treat.

If you are in the Florida, or heading in that direction, it would be worth it to check out this new trail.

Happy Birding!

Get Ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count!

Greetings Bird Lovers!

The Great Backyard Bird Count returns for its ninth season February 17-20, 2006. The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology encourage everyone to COUNT BIRDS WITH A BUDDY!

Bird enthusiasts of all ages can share their love of birds with a friend, a child, a scout troop, a class or a co-worker -- opening new eyes to the joy of birding and fun of creating a unique snapshot of winter bird abundance and distribution across the continent.

Every pair of eyes is needed and ever birdy counts, whether in a backyard, on a high-rise balcony, in a park or on any of the 730 million acres of public lands.

Anyone with Internet access can see the results in maps and charts as the sightings pour in. In 2005, participants sent in more than 52,000 checklists with a record-breaking 613 species and more than 6 million birds counted!

In 2006, for the first time, the Lab of Ornithology and Audubon are launching an element of friendly competition. Awards will be given to localities that submit the most checklists, record the greatest number species or count the highest number of birds. Photos are also encouraged.

Everyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to seasoned experts. During the count bird watchers tally up birds for as little as 15 minutes or for as long as they like, keeping track of the highest number of each bird species they see together at one time.

Participants enter their numbers online at The Great Backyard Bird Count. This is the site to visit for details on exactly how to participate.

We hope that you will share this information with others and get as many participants as possible. This would be a great project for a scout troop or classroom.

It's helpful to have a bird feeder out as soon as possible in advance of the event, so you will have an opportunity to identify ahead of time the birds that you will likely see during the count.

Visit WildBirdGoodies.com to order feeders now so you'll have them as quickly as possible. We will process orders as soon as they are received.

We are excited about participating and can't wait to watch the stats as they come in.

Happy Birding!

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About the Author

Janet Winter is a web designer, travel agent and writer on many topics. She loves her wild birds and delights in providing helpful resources and unique products for feathered friends at WildBirdGoodies.com.

Backyard Bird Feeding

Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. More than 65 million Americans of all ages watch, feed and landscape for birds.

It doesn't matter where you live - in an apartment, townhouse or single family dwelling, in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand still and you'll hear them: wild birds. It is hard to imagine life without them.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the country. Each year millions of people discover for the first time the joys of birdwatching. It's easy to understand why. Birds are fun to watch.

And you can watch them just about everywhere. The most convenient place to start is right in your own backyard. All it takes to get their attention is food or water, a place to build a nest and appropriate vegetation.