In the last episode Brenda talked about keeping grackles and starlings away from feeders. This week is about keeping the squirrels off. The Brome Squirrel Buster feeders are really the best option. These are triggered to close with the weight of a squirrel. Another great option is to put a baffle on your pole. These […]
Tag: birds
Flight or Fight: The Challenges Facing Birds in Spring
The Problem with the Flight As our migratory birds return to spring habitats, it’s a wonderful time to watch behaviours specific to this time of year. Many species migrate in large flocks, but once they arrive, their mating displays and territorial behaviours kick in. They chase or are chased by other birds over mates […]
GARDEN GATE: Episode 288 – The Return of the Grackles (March 15, 2024)
It’s that time again. The grackles have returned and many people are asking how to get rid of them and the starlings. As these birds are invasive it’s a good idea to try to deter them from visiting. Here’s a few tips that can help. As soon as they start showing up, you want to […]
The American Robin
Someone once described a day in the life of a robin as follows: Run, run, run, STOP. Run, run, run, STOP. Run, run, run, STOP. Run, run, run, STOP. There’s much contentment found in sitting quietly and watching robins. They’re keen worm finders, tilting their heads just so, to focus one eye on wormholes […]
GARDEN GATE: Episode 286 – Hopper Feeders (Feb 16, 2024)
Hopper feeders! In the winter it’s nice to have a large feeder that holds lots of seed; then you won’t have to fill up as often! One with a big roof also helps to keep the snow off the seed. There are wooden ones, Canadian made, and some made from a recycled plastic. You can […]
GARDEN GATE: Episode 285 – Local Photographers Tracy Waddington & John Ashdown Stop By (Feb 2, 2024)
Today our guests are two Peterborough based photographers sharing their love for birds. Tracy Waddington & John Ashdown have taken many amazing pictures of birds and frequently share them with our community on a couple groups on Facebook. They are amazing photographers that like to look for birds near Trent University, along the Otonabee river, […]
GARDEN GATE: Episode 283 – The best winter bird seed! (Jan 5, 2024)
The weather is getting colder and the birds are busy working hard to keep warm. Changing your seed to a hulled variety really helps them get their food quickly. It saves them energy not having to remove the shells, and also keeps things tidy at your feeders. We sell the hulled sunflower seeds, hulled peanut […]
GARDEN GATE: Episode 247 – Bird baths (Aug 12, 2022)
Bird baths added to your garden bring a lot of enjoyment for both you and the birds. We have a wide variety available including these ceramic bird baths, plus others on stands and even heated bird baths for winter use. Cleaning is important as is changing the water regularly to keep mosquitoes from breeding. Avoid […]
Snowbirds – we get it!
Fall migration is underway. Like many Canadians, a lot of bird species prefer to spend their winters in warmer climes, often for the simple reason that food is more abundant there than it is here. Migration is risky business, though, and the move to the food is replete with challenges. First of all, it takes […]
Garden Tips: Birds need water, too
Birds need water for drinking and bathing, and the heat of summer is a good time to get your bird baths out. Drinking Birds don’t need to drink as much water as mammals do, because they don’t have sweat glands. They lose water through breathing and their poop. Most songbirds feed on insects and get […]
