by Ann Markin | Aug 7, 2021 | Birds, Migration, Uncategorized
During the fall, as the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to cool, millions of birds are preparing for the most hazardous journey of their lives. Long migrations are deadly for birds. It is estimated that about half of all migrating birds do not survive...
by Ann Markin | Jul 10, 2021 | Birds, Uncategorized
Long ago, native Americans hung up hollowed-out gourds to attract nesting Purple Martins. Today, we erect apartments in the sky or groups of plastic gourds for the same purpose. And over time, these beautiful birds have developed a relationship with humans unlike...
by Ann Markin | Jun 11, 2021 | Baltimore Orioles, Bird Feeding, Birds
Baltimore Orioles bring brilliant color and cheerful songs to our summers. The male is black, with an orange breast, tail and shoulders and has white on the wings. The female is pale olive green to brownish above, with a dull yellow to yellowish-orange below and two...
by Ann Markin | May 8, 2021 | Uncategorized
Bluebirds enchant us with their lovely colors and sweet songs. This may explain why we associate bluebirds with happiness, love, and spring. Poetry, prose, and lyrics extol the virtues of these warm weather visitors. East of the Rocky Mountains, the Eastern Bluebird...
by Ann Markin | Apr 7, 2021 | Birds
I’ve had robins in my yard all year long, but they still seem to be a sign of spring — maybe because they rarely stayed this far north in winters when I was younger. Currently, they are looking for a nesting site so I have taped the foil strips above my security...