Once again as, in millenniums past, ducks will begin slowly drifting south for the winter. Then as the cold Arctic fronts begin to blow from the north the geese will be moving south as well. While some may think this is the “bird migration”, it is actually nearly complete. Song birds began their migration back…
We receive numerous questions from customers about the goldfinch, one of the most desirable birds attracted to backyard bird feeders. Often times people wonder if they migrate south for the winter, or they are concerned about the lack of goldfinch at the bird feeders in late summer through early fall. Goldfinch, as with many birds,…
Let’s talk “wild bird feed”. The persistent drought combined with the competition of grains for food or fuel has impacted the cost of food for human consumption as well as wild bird feeds. Some folks may be asking why not just purchase the 50lb. bag at the local big box store and save money. Why…
January is a good month for birds to stray into our area looking for a winter home and a source of food. Keep watching for that rare or unusual bird at your feeders that you have not identified or seen before. So far this year the northern Goldfinch population has arrived in good numbers. Their…
The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium sized powerful woodpecker that is often times mistaken for a Downy Woodpecker at a quick glance. These two woodpeckers do share some of the basic pattern features. The males both have a distinct red patch on the back of the head which the females lack. They both have a…
February is National Bird Feeding Month. The cold, possible snows and declining natural food resources with most water frozen can have a huge impact on our birds. This month was set aside to encourage people to provide supplemental food sources in backyard bird feeders and an open supply of fresh water. February is also the…
The 2016 spring bird migration began in January with eagles and some hawks. Mild days in early February freed area lakes from winter’s icy grip. This allowed many geese and ducks to start their move north. In February thousands of Snow Geese were reported at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge along the Missouri River. Since then tens…
The Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes and many ducks have passed through on their way to their northern breeding grounds. It was another exciting season viewing the geese and cranes, but migration is far from over. April is one of the three most exciting migration months of the year. We will once again welcome back many…
May is the premiere month for songbird migration. Warblers, thrushes, and all the other Neo-tropical birds will be coming in to spend the summer, or passing through on their way to northern breeding grounds. The best part is they are all in their brightest colors, or breeding plumage. If you enjoy warblers, you know how…
There is nothing more exciting and rewarding than being the landlord of a pair of nesting bluebirds, or several pairs. Bluebirds, formerly in a downward spiral due to loss of habitat and the proliferation of the non-native English (house) sparrow, are becoming relatively common thanks to the efforts of Bluebirds Across Nebraska, (BAN). Bluebirds Across…