Our biweekly online show is a digest of what is happening in the Avian World. Our site gives you the opportunity to showcase your bird photography and discuss topics important to you. Our resident ornithologist Dr. David Bird will also answer any bird-related questions you have!
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SEASON 3 EPISODES
- View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Stories: Winter is here! It arrived very suddenly this past weekend. I'd hoped to get more yardwork done before the snow came, but hopefully we'll get one more stretch of really warm weather before winter sets in for good. But...with the beginning of winter comes one of my favourite birdwatching intitiatives: Project FeederWatch. On Backyard Feeding this week I talk about how you…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: Headlines: Winner's Circle: The days are quickly getting colder and colder so I have to move quickly to get the backyard ready for winter. I don't know if you remember a few years ago, I ended up having to shovel like mad to make a path to my feeders. Not this year - I finally made the time to move my pole system closer to the house.…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Well, we lucked out here and had spectacular weather for Canadian Thanksgiving. The leaf colors are incredible this year and while I was getting our backyard ready for winter, I thought I'd continue talking about different types of food for different seasons. This episode it's peanuts, which are often overlooked but are a great mess-free feeding solution. The other great thing about peanuts is…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: I think everyone is a bit shocked with the report of North America losing 3 billion of its birds over the last 50 years. There are a lot of ways to interpret the data, but it doesn't really matter because we should all be taking steps to help bring bird populations back to what they were. Incidentally, by doing so, you'll…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: It's finally here! Yesterday was the official launch of the new Squirrel Buster Suet. Head over to bromebirdcare.com to check it out. I was working on some How-To videos while recording Backyard Feeding this episode and we have some great input from David about the advantages of feeding suet to your birds. On Ask Dr. Bird, David answers a question about bald Jays and…
Full Episode: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: It seems to me that summer just began, but things are already starting to cool down. I didn't see a lot of Hummers at my feeders over the summer, but they are starting to come back, which means sadly they are getting ready for migration. So Backyard Feeding this week is a suggestion to put up a few more feeders if you have the…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding/Envirominute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: So this week we combine Backyard Feeding and EnviroMinute to encourage you to have a look around your house and see if anything can be re-purposed for garden use. I have some old steel wheels that are being used as a planter, and old cast-iron bathtub that we use as an herb garden, and most recently an old pan that I'm using as…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: So we had a surprise visit from Dr. Bird this week and got to chat with him about what's happening with the state of birds. It's always a lot of fun talking to him. On his segment Ask Dr. Bird he answers a question about why you may be seeing fewer birds at your feeders over the summer time. Some great…
Full Episode: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask. Dr. Bird: Headlines: Summer is in full swing here, going from hot to hotter. Humans aren't the only ones who can get a bit disoriented with the heat, birds can too, so on Backyard Feeding and on Ask Dr. Bird this week we talk about window reflections and what to do about them. Birdlife International has just announced that 5 million people worldwide are members of their Birdsafe Window…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: So we've gone from freezing to melting! Last week was one of intense heatwaves here in Quebec and most of Eastern Canada. We had a bit of rain, a bit of sun and boom! Bug city! Which of course is great for the birds. And on Backyard Feeding I'd like to give you a reminder. If you are in an area…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: So summer is finally here...still kind of chilly, but the birds don't seem to mind. And when the summer heat eventually gets here, the birds will need a place to bathe. So Backyard Feeding this week is a reminder to wash your birdbaths. Let them soak for 15 minutes in a 10:1 water/bleach solution. Keeping them clean can really help to prevent…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner’s Circle: We’ve moved the studio outside into my ‘wild’ backyard because it looks like summer is finally ‘almost’ here. Backyard Feeding this week is just a reminder about keeping an 18” (47cm) clearance around your Brome feeders to make sure they stay truly squirrel-proof. Dr. Bird discusses Eastern Screech Owl egg-laying habits as we follow up with Dennis Stroud and his family…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: So the weather is finally nice enough to move the show back outside again. We've had an incredible number of birds come through our backyard over the past couple of weeks including more varieties of warblers than I've ever seen. We've got a Scarlet Tanager that's been accomodating enough to pose for a few pictures. Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, and many more, it's been…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: Spring is here! I'm thrilled with the amount of wildlife, particularly birds, I see in my backyard. Every year I find more and more species enjoying my unkempt gardens and backyard. Backyard Feeding this episode is about exactly that. We had so many brushpiles around the property that my parents were having the hardest time not cleaning them up. But you have to…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Hummer season is here! Well, almost. David gives us a rundown on these incredible little creatures including which species we are likely to see across Canada and the Northern US. If you have nestboxes up, now is the time to make sure you have the right tenant. Dennis Stroud had Starlings in his Eastern Screech Owl box for years, but this year he decided…
View full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle With spring well on its way here, I had the pleasure of giving a couple of workshops about Eastern Bluebirds to some elementary school kids. The kids have a plan to put up 100 nest boxes, so Backyard Feeding this episode is a recap of the workshops and a few things to remember when putting up Bluebird boxes. Dr. Bird shares some…
Full Episode Here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Well, we've seen the first Robins on the ground despite the fact that we are still getting snow. I spent 10 minutes clearing off the car this morning which was very unpleasant for a spring day. I've prepared a special treat for all my early arrivals who won't use a hanging feeder just in case they can't find enough to eat. Check out Backyard…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: With the weather so totally unpredictable this time of year, it's nice to have something to do indoors when bird feeding/watching just isn't practical. Wingspan is a new board game designed by Elizabeth Hargrave with tons of information from eBird. The goal of the game is to attract as many birds as possible to your backyard aviary and each bird can do something…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Hello everyone, I'm back! Maternity leave was fantastic, but I'm happy to be back on the show again. David is doing backyard feeding this week with information about putting up nest boxes if you live in the south. He also answers a question all the way from Australia about the hybridization of Rainbow and Scaly-Breasted Lorikeets. Envirominute this week is about doing the least…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: Headlines: Winner's Circle: Welcome back to another edition of Brome Bird News! This is my last episode voice hosting - Tatsiana is back at work this week so she'll be back to hosting the show next episode. But even though she's not here, I've tried to find some fun and interesting stories. A cautionary tale about sharing that you have a rare bird in your backyard -…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: EnviroMinute: The Headlines: Hello Everyone! So we're mixing it up a bit for the next couple of episodes. Rugge Thomson will be hosting the show for this and the next episode while Tatsiana is on maternity leave with her new bundle of joy! She'll be back soon though so please go easy on him! He is the one who films and edits the show,…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: Brrrrrrrr! We've been hit by a real cold-snap snow storm here in the North East. We haven't been able to get outside to shoot, so Backyard Feeding is an indoor one this episode. Robert Dinwoodie found a European Goldfinch at his feeder hanging around with his regular American Goldfinches. No one has any idea how it got to this side of…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Happy New Year, Everyone! We've decided that since it's a new year, we'll start a new season of BBN, so welcome to episode 1 of season 3! We had a quiet holiday here, and unfortunately we lost all our snow right after Christmas which made it a bit challenging for winter activities. It looks like we'll be getting it all back this week though…
SEASON 2 EPISODES
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Stories this Week: Winner's Circle: Merry Christmas, Everyone! We are in for a white Christmas here, and if you are in an area that has lots of snow, and you notice less birds at your feeders, take down a few to keep the seed from going bad. I've only left out the seed that I know will get eaten by my local traffic: sunflower, safflower and peanuts. I had a Nyjer seed feeder up but it spoils so quickly it's not worth keeping it up when there are no Finches around.…
Full episode: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: We are right in the middle of a cold snap here in Quebec. Winter came so suddenly I ran out of time to 'winterize' my feeders. On Backyard Feeding this week, that's exactly what I talk about. If you find that there aren't many birds at your feeders during the winter, make sure you have enough cover for the birds. My pole system is well placed in the summer, but there are no more leaves on the trees which leaves it a bit exposed during the winter. It makes some…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The stories this week: Winner's Circle: BRRRRR...we've had a really wintery week up here in the North East and just when I thought it was going to warm up, they've announced another storm. This week on Backyard Feeding, I'm sharing another segment from a professional photographer Steve Maslowski. David is asked a question about Fish Crows attacking American Kestrels, we have some incredible pictures of Woodpeckers on Winner's Circle and a few positive stories about the comeback of the Bald Eagle in the Northeast, new plans to help the Kiwi…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: BRRRRRRRRRR....It's cold! We are back in the studio this week because it's just too cold outside! I knew winter was coming, but I was hoping it would take a bit more time! Just in case you are out putting your garden to bed for the winter, please don't cut down old plants and flowers. We got this amazing photo from Debbie Foster showing a Warbler eating a worm out of a dead flower in the middle of winter. Another thing to watch out for is raking up…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird Headlines Winner's Circle The weather is turning cold here! We've already had a few flurries and the Pine Siskins are emptying my feeders daily. That can only mean one thing...winter is coming! If you live in a cold climate like I do, I miss hearing bird songs in the winter. There is a new app called Dawn Chorus that you can download from the App Store or Google Play for free that allows you to set an alarm using up to 5 different bird songs to help you beat the…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: It's that time of year again - Project Feederwatch starts on the 10th of November, head over to www.feederwatch.org to sign up now because it can take up to 3 weeks to receive your kit. There was a funny story about Waxwings behaving drunkely and Dr. Bird chimes in with what he's found out. The EnviroMinute challenge this week is to leave your leaves, don't rake them up just yet and I promise to show you what we can do with them in the coming weeks. Dr. Bird answers…
Full Episode Here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: So with the beautiful weather we've been having recently (not this week, yuck!) I decided to fill my feeders, pack up and head off to explore l'isle-aux-Grues - the Island of the Cranes which is about 3 hours and one short ferry ride from where I live. It was an amazing visit to the island with lots of birds, lots of wind (we were tent camping with winds up to 60mph - 100km/hr which was pretty exciting, but also some of the best cheese I've ever tasted. It's…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: Headlines: Well summer is back for now! I know it won't last forever, but wow, the weather has been amazing here all summer long. Because of that, I've gone back to my favourite garden center and found some more end-of-season deals on perennials that Hummers love. I haven't seen a Hummer in a few days, but I've left my feeders up with fresh nectar in case there are a few stragglers coming through. I've put together a short list of some great native perennials that you can plant to…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask. Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: Well I'm back from an incredible week in the Gaspé where we had wonderful weather and saw an amazing number of birds, some of which I even managed to snap a few shots of! On Backyard Feeding this week I want to show you what happened to a bunch of Black-eyed Susans I rescued at a garden center liquidation sale at the end of last summer. The end of summer can also be a great time to plant things, and there are some great sales out there! Dr.…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: Headlines: It's a time of year when ants seem to be everywhere. I've gotten quite a few messages about how to keeps ants away from my Hummer feeders, so I thought I would share some ideas on Backyard Feeding. EnviroMinute this week has a step by step guide on how to make incredible, long lasting sustainable bird baths instead of spending money on disposable plastic ones. Dr. Bird answers a question about Common and Red-Breasted Mergansers occupying the same nest boxes, and finally I have some great stories to…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: Headlines: Winner's Circle: Hello Bird Lovers! David answers a question from Steve Swearingen about Carolina Wrens building decoy nests and Winner's Circle has some amazing pictures (especially the ones with our Brome Feeders - nudge nudge, wink wink...) Some great stories as well - Belgian Crested Larks don't seem to like nudists very much, Nature Conservancy Canada is acquiring more land to keep the Loggerhead Shrike in Canada and Massachusetts is leading in Piping Plover Preservation (say that 5 times fast) by 'chick sitting' to make sure they're protected. Have a great…
Full Episode Here: Backyard Feeding: EnviroMinute: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: What an amazing summer so far! We've had fantastic weather (maybe a bit on the hot side, but I love it!). When we started shooting Backyard Feeding for this episode, I saw Goldfinches collecting thistle for their nests and it reminded me that it's nesting season for them. If you have dogs, dog fur makes a great nesting material as well as natural un-dyed wool. You can leave these materials on branches and bushes and help the Goldfinches make a cosier nest! EnviroMinute this episode is a reminder not…
Full Episode Here: Backyard Feeding Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines Winner's Circle Wow! It's been hot. We've seen record temperatures for the past week and even though the worst seems to be gone, we still have some hot weather on the horizon. Backyard Feeding this week is just a reminder that birds need to stay hydrated just like we do. I'll show you my amazing collection of cheap and easy bird baths that I've got set up to help my birds keep cool. David answers a question about Ornithophobia, or a fear of birds, and talks about different ways you…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding EnviroMinute Ask Dr. Bird Headlines Summer is in full swing here, but I haven't seen any hummers in a few weeks. We've been hearing this from a few people. Don't worry, they'll be back! Keep your feeders clean and full of nectar. Remember to avoid coloured nectar and if you want to make it yourself, 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Avoid using anything except refined white sugar because raw sugar has too much iron and can harm the birds. Envirominute this week deals with mulch in gardens. Most cedar mulch is coloured using…
Full Episode Here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird Headlines Winner's Circle I love warm weather and we've had some fantastic weather recently - it's about time! Bird feeding changes with every season, and this episode Backyard Feeding is all about setting up your feeders to keep unwelcome birds and various other critters away. Dr. Bird answers a question from Lisa Cavanary and gives a lot of information about Bluebird nesting habits. With all the depressing stories around, we're trying to find positive ones to share, so this episode it's a story about a newly hatched Guam Kingfisher, the curious relationship…
Full Episode Here Backyard Feeding EnviroMinute Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines As the weather gets warmer and our nest boxes start filling up, I've noticed a lot more wasps around. I love attracting all sorts of wildlife, even wasps (at a distance) but I don't like finding their nests attached to my nest boxes. A great trick is to take a bar of unscented soap and rub it against all horizontal surfaces of the nest box - it prevents wasps from being able to attach their nesting material to the unfinished wood. This trick works on all wood surfaces including…
View the full episode here Backyard Feeding Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines Winner's Circle I got back from Las Vegas on Friday and was thrilled to see that everything that was brown is now green! Springtime is finally here and my backyard is alive with bird busy-ness. We have Blue Jays nesting outside the bedroom window, a couple of house wrens in a nest box, Catbirds helping themselves to the fruit I am leaving out and all sorts of fun activity. Backyard feeding on this episode is a short video about my trip to nature preserves outside of Las…
View the entire episode Backyard Feeding EnviroMinute/Birds in Government Headlines I hope everyone is enjoying spring now that it's finally here! Just a quick reminder, watch where you step and have a good look around before doing any tree maintenance in case birds have made a nest somewhere that might not be so obvious. If you do find one that's somewhere at risk, give your local bird rehabilitation center a call and they'll send someone to move it. Also, I hope everyone is getting ready for the Global Big Day on Saturday, May 5th. You can log all your…
View the full episode here: Backyard Feeding: Ask Dr. Bird: The Headlines: Winner's Circle: Spring is here! Well almost. Kind of. Actually, not really. But it will be here soon! As people around here like to joke, it isn't the 17th of April, it's the 107th of January. Regardless, I've decided to do a bit of spring cleaning. I had an old birdhouse that only ever attracted mice, so I decided to take it down and I'm putting up a couple of hummer nesting platforms to see if I can watch them nest. Dr. Bird has some excellent tips on…
Full episode here: Backyard Feeding EnviroMinute Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines Happy Tuesday, Everyone - as spring sets in, it's time to start thinking about what to plant this year. While looking around for native plants, I came across an amazing Canadian company that specialises in native plants and perennials. It's wildaboutflowers.ca, and on Backyard Feeding this week I gave the store's owner Arden a call to talk about what they were up to. While travelling last week, I made a conscious effort to not drink any bottled water and instead drank out of public fountains. Tap water tends to…
View the full episode here Backyard Feeding Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines Winner's Circle March is really the toughest month here in Québec. The weather will warm up for a couple of days, then we find ourselves totally snowed in and freezing. That's what's been happening here for the past couple of weeks, and it looks like the storms will continue into April. But I must feed my birds! So Backyard Feeding this episode is all about keeping my feeders filled and accessible, even in the winter. Dr. Bird answers a really interesting question about what makes suet good for…
View the full episode here Backyard Feeding EnviroMinute Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines Spring is almost here! I know we are probably in for a few more winter storms, but I'm enjoying this thaw and thought I would start putting up some nestboxes/platforms. Backyard feeding this week is just a reminder to check out nestwatch.org to see what nestboxes you should be putting up in your area. John Petrus has another interesting question for Dr. Bird - are birds aware of what they are eating? Of course! But it's still surprising to learn HOW aware they really are. On this…
Full episode here Backyard Feeding Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines Winner's Circle Well, we are another couple of weeks closer to spring, and Hummers are already on the move. Check out the map to see where they are: https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration-spring-2018-map.htm Backyard Feeding is all about heated birdbaths in the winter, and why, if you live in a frozen climate, you shouldn't have one. It can be quite dangerous for birds to think that water is safe, because it can freeze to their feathers and legs, preventing them from flying. Another interesting point is that birds that live in northern climates have…
Full Episode Here Backyard Feeding EnviroMinute Ask Dr. Bird The Headlines It's coming up to one of my favourite bird activities of the year, the Great Backyard Bird Count. It runs from the 16th to the 19th of February, and anyone can participate. Head over to Cornell's website for full details, and while you are there, check out Nestwatch, a website they've setup that has an interactive game to help you identify which birds nest where, and what you can do to help. Dr. Bird gives us more info on how birds survive our cold northern winters (while he is…
I often get asked about how to attract Northern Cardinals, so I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I've learned. Backyard Feeding is all about Cardinals this episode. Dr. Bird answers a question about a Rose-breasted Grosbeak that forgot to migrate, and we have lots of fun stories in the headlines. I learned that birds can actually understand tweets from other species - not only that, but they will learn what the tweets mean and copy them , especially when it comes to warning signals. Certain male Birds of Paradise have feathers so black, they…
Hello Everyone! I hope you had a fabullous New Year and are winding down from the Holidays. We took our tree down last weekend, and it's now outside giving a little additional shelter for the birds during the cold snap we're having. (Mostly) fun stuff in the news this week - I'm always getting asked about how birds survive the extreme cold, and everytime I do a bit of research I'm totally amazed. Did you know that Chickadees' brains actually GET BIGGER when cold weather hits? They grow extra brain cells to help them remember where they stashed their food.…
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, here it was cold and snowy, the way a proper white Christmas should be! Despite the cold, I hope you are keeping the area around your feeders clean. The bacteria that form on the ground and on feeders are pretty tough and still need to be cleaned in the winter. Dr. Bird talks to us from Baja, California about the Canada Jay and why it should really be Canada's National Bird. Some interesting new studies show that birds use their whole bodies to communicate, and if birdsong is accompanied by a few…
This is our last episode before Christmas, and I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderul and safe Holiday Season. The Christmas Bird count is on - if you'd like to participate, head over to Audubon.org and find out who your local compiler is. Also, when you are putting out your decorations this year, don't forget the birds - I've been in touch with Ruth Fleming who does wonderful wreaths and outdoor decorations that are made out of materials that will also attract birds! Dr. Bird answers a question from Steve Swearingen about mixed species flocks…
Hi Everyone! So with winter coming, I thought I'd try out something new. I normally move my feeding pole closer to the house during winter because it is close to an overgrown cedar hedge that provides amazing cover for birds. The downside is every time I open a curtain to see what's happening on my feeders, the birds get spooked and fly away. So this year, I've decided to leave the pole where it is, and I thought I'd try adding some cover in the form of boughs and old planters. I'm not sure I've convinced the local birds it's…
Well it looks like I'm going to have to finally start getting ready for winter. I'll start by going outside and picking up all the litter that's blown down from the busiest street near my house. Then I'll move on to cleaning up all my nest boxes. Don't forget, nest boxes can also be shelters for lots of different animals over the winter, so it's worthwhile keeping them up! So what's your favorite bird? And do you have a spark bird? David talks about his favorite birds and explains about spark birds. Mine is the Eurasian Bullfinch which sadly we…
Hello Everyone! Fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year and it is also the time when Project FeederWatch starts. It's how scientists have been tracking bird populations for over 15 years now. If you are interested in joining the program here are a couple of useful links - in the US: https://feederwatch.org/about/how-to-participate/ and if you are in Canada: http://www.birdscanada.org/news/join-project-feederwatch-and-have-fun-helping-birds. Dr. Bird is asked about Woodpeckers that are attacking a stucco house outside of breeding season, and we've made a few changes to Winner's Cirlce. From now on, everyone is limited to 2 (two) pictures per…
Hello Everyone! We've had some amazing fall weather here for the past couple of weeks, but winter is coming! I spent the day raking and cleaning up only to have the wind pick up and blow everything back again! This week's EnviroMinute is all about keeping dead leaves on the ground, but raking them away from where we walk and play. They make such a great habitat for so many different creatures, walking on them could really ruin something's day. Dr. Bird has two parts on this episode, he talks about the importance of Wildlife Rehab Centers and answers a…- This episode we are really going all over the world. We learn about how the poor Ortolan Bunting is eaten as a snack in France. In New Zealand, scientists are discovering that the nocturnal Kiwi is going blind because...well...it just doesn't need its eyes! Samoans are making big efforts to try and bring back the Tooth-billed Pigeon from the brink of extinction. It's also known as the Little Dodo and they want to make sure it doesn't end up the same way. This fall, I've decided to leave all my dead and dying flowers the way they are, because they…
- Has anyone else noticed an abundance of berries this summer? According to all the almanacs, it means we are in for a cold winter and because there is so much food around, you might be seeing fewer birds at your feeders. Dr. Bird is on two sections this episode, answering a question about ID'ing raptors in the city and how birds deal with hurricanes. We hear from Pascale, another Brome Bird Care employee who recently had her new puppy get very sick after eating grass treated with an 'organic' fertilizer. This weeks EnviroMinute is all about how even the 'good'…
- Wow, it's been a busy couple of weeks! Dr. Bird is with us on both Ask Dr. Bird! and Backyard Feeding this week answering a question about what sort of schedule different birds keep for having chicks. He also talks about how Bluebirds react to mouse odor in their nests, because finding mice in our Bluebird nest boxes is a pretty common thing. The headlines are packed with interesting stories about Texas Audubon making a beer for birds, Ranchers discovering the benefits of replanting native plants in their pastures, a new bunch of captive-bred Black Stilts have been released into…
- Good Morning Everyone! This week I stopped by our local garden center and found some amazing deals on local plants. I decided to rescue a few from being thrown out and thats what this week's Backyard Feeding and Envirominute talk about. Dr. Bird answers a question from a Montrealer who is concerned American Golfinches might be in decline. In the headlines this week, The Phillipines Government is making an effort to track Avian Flu through asia, new housing developments in Canberra, Australia are no cat zones. New homeowners are told to keep their cats inside at all times to help…
- I hope everyone is enjoying their summer - I got to see something really special this episode: a young Brown-headed Cowbird being fed by a Song Sparrow! It's been hanging around my feeders and seems to be doing quite well. We've been getting a few questions about Trichomoniasis, so David took some time to give us a breakdown of what it is, and how it can affect your backyard friends. To follow up what he says, on Backyard Feeding this week I show you how to properly clean your feeders. On Dr. Bird's regular segment, he answers a question about…
- Well, we've finally had some summer-like weather here after what seems like weeks of rain. I've been seeing more and more Hummingbirds in my backyard so I thought it would be a great idea to give all my hummer feeders a good cleaning. Using rice and water is the best because it scours the inside of the feeders and will get rid of even the toughest mold. Our question for David this week comes from someone who is almost a neighbour, the next island over. It's about a nest full of young Red-Breasted Sapsuckers that never seem to stop chirping.…
- So I discovered something really interesting last week - our household has slowly been eliminating white sugar because we are always looking for healthier options, but when I did a bit of research about making Hummingbird nectar, I discovered it's REALLY important to use ONLY white sugar. Stay tuned for the whole story. Dr. Bird has two segments on this show, on one, he answers a question about attracting and placing nest boxes for American Kestrels, and on the other, he talks about the frustration Canadians are facing trying to get the government to recognize the Gray, or Canada Jay…
- It's hard to believe it's almost end of June. We decided it was time to enjoy summer to the fullest, so we are reporting from my backyard instead of the studio. I know that some areas have been really hot and dry, so I'm sharing a trick to retain moisture in your gardens. I hate wasting water, don't you? Dr. Bird has been asked a question about Red-bellied Woodpeckers. We don't have Red-bellies here but it's interesting to see what Steve Swearingen has been observing in his backyard and what David has to say about their behavior. The stories we bring to you are about wind…
- This week on Backyard Feeding I'm trying something new to keep ants away from my hummer feeders: chalk and fishing line. I learned that once an ant dies in the nectar, it releases an acid that spoils the nectar so your Hummingbird won't touch it. David answers a question about feeding Red-shouldered Hawks and how he feels about feeding raptors in general. If you are in the market for a new computer, think about laptops instead of desktops. They consume a lot less energy and have become very reliable. In the headlines this week, an unfortunate man in Harbour Breton Newfoundland…
- Lots of stories from around the world this week, but first...our contest for planting a tree is still happening - it's easy! Plant a tree, take a picture, email me at tatsiana@bromebirdcare.com and be entered to win a free feeder. We know how sugar is bad for us, but have we ever thought about how bad it is for birds? I've been using crushed grapes instead of grape jelly in my oriole feeder to try and limit how much processed sugar my birds are exposed too. It also reduces the chance of them getting sticky jelly on their wings. Dr.…
- Hello Everyone! This week we cover a lot of info. On Backyard Feeding I look at a couple of different protein feeders for hummingbirds. I bought one and built one, and I'm going to be checking which one does better. On EnviroMinute, I plant a couple of native trees, which will attract native bugs and then native birds...you see where I'm going. Dr. Bird discusses a painful topic of how to deal with bird infestations. When a flock of Red-Billed Queleas can eat 50 tonnes of food in one day it can be a disaster for some communities. In the…
- So we have a lot going on in this episode. Mark Robinson had asked me about using some Alpaca wool as a nesting material, so I answer that with a reminder that any natural fiber makes great nesting material as long as it hasn't been bleached, colored or treated. A few weeks ago, I reached out to some of our audience and asked them what migrating birds they were seeing - a few people got back to me, so we'll have a look at who is moving where! Dr. Bird is asked about birds pooping on certain colors of cars…
- On this episode, Missy shows us how to set up a branch with a tree stand to create a natural looking studio to photograph birds. Dr. Bird answers a question about someone seeing less birds and their feeders and different reasons why that might happen. This week's EnviroMinute challenge is to recycle old and unused clothing by bringing it to a local charity. If you don't have a local charity, I can provide some resources for some online. In the headlines, fritted glass for the new Bell Museum in Minnesota helps save energy and reduce bird collisions. The plant based…
- On Backyard Feeding this episode, I hook up with a group that does local bird hikes. If Spring ever gets here, I'll be joining them to see what birds we can see locally. We were actually planning a hike that day, but the weather turned, so we postponed it. Migration season is upon us - I learned about the lights out program where big cities are trying to turn off unecessary lights to help birds stay oriented while migrating. Guess what your EnviroMinute challenge is this week? You got it! Turn of all exterior lights. Dr. Bird answers a question…
- In this episode we get to meet some of the wonderful customer care specialists and Brome Bird Care. I asked them to talk about how they help reduce window collisions in their own homes. Dr. Bird answers a question about feeding birds in condo developments and how to keep the rodent population down. We see who won the 3 prizes on Winner's Circle and talk about the next theme. In the headlines, a new stadium is seeking Audubon's help to reduce bird deaths from collisions, Dubrovnik, Croatia is talking about removing vineyards to create more habitat for migrating birds and…
- So we are trying something new - BBN will now be every 2 weeks instead of weekly. This will give us a chance to try and find more interesting content and try out some new things on the show. This week I heard from a couple of contributors and panicked because I hadn't cleaned out my Bluebird nestbox - guess what's on Backyard Feeding! Steve Swearingen got some great pictures of what looks like a dalmatian American Coot, and asks Dr. Bird about the differences between leucism and albinism. This week's EnviroMinute challenge is to give your fridge a break…
- My first week back from Belarus! It's nice to be back in the Studio. On this episode I discover a new app called Song Sleuth to help you id birds you can't see. Dr. Bird answers a question about a Cardinal's ability to grow its beaks back, I head down to the local brook to pick up some litter. In the headlines Tianjin is building what they are calling the world's first 'Bird Airport', Retail First, a company in Australia is banning helium balloons at public events to protect wildlife, new tracking technology developed in Poland is helping researchers learn…
- Hi Everyone - because we've been on the road non-stop, we were only able to deliver the show as one full episode. We'll be back to normal next week with the full episode and individual segments. I did manage to fit in a trip to Belovezhskaya Puscha one of the oldest uncut forests in Europe. It's an incredible haven for birds. I also learned that even though bird feeding might not be as popular, the people here are very aware of the importance of birds, and the cities have nest boxes set up anywhere there are trees. I hope you…
- View the entire episode here. Tatsiana talks to Dr. Emma Grieg about the history of Cornell's Project Feederwatch, Dr. Bird gives a few tips about using Field Guides, Keeping yoour house between certain temperatures can save a lot of energy, and some birds really don't like tennis! Backyard Feeding Tatsiana Interviews Dr. Emma Grieg about Cornell's Lab of Ornithology Project Feederwatch Ask Dr. Bird Dr. Bird is still in Baja, but gives us some tips on how to better use field guides. Envirominute Try Keeping Your House Between 17C and 19C - it will save a lot of energy. The…
- BBN 2-17 Full Episode BBN 2-17 - Backyard Feeding - Identify This Bird BBN 2-17 Envirominute - Cruise Control Can Save You 15% on Gas and Cut Emmisions BBN 2-17 Ask Dr. Bird - More From Baja - All About the Turkey Vulture and Brown Pelican BBN 2-17 - The Headlines - The California Condor in Redwoood National Park, Saving the Great Indian Bustard, In Search of the South Island Kokako and The Great Backyard Bird Count
- View The Full Episode Here Backyard Feeding Dr. Bird in the Baja The Headlines Winner's Circle
- This week on Brome Bird News Click here to view the entire episode, or click on the videos below to view only the sections you'd like. Backyard Feeding - It's a good idea to clean around your feeder every two weeks. Some birds like hopping from the ground back up to the feeder and can spread bacteria back and forth. Every two weeks is ideal to keep bacteria from spreading too much. Ever wonder how much water it takes to raise a cow? This weeks envirominute talks about having a vegetarian day once a week to reduce water waste (and…
- We've decided to mix things up a bit. Over the next month or two we will be changing the format of the show to try and bring you bird news the best way possible. The first change we've made is to break the show up into individual segments so you can click on the sections you like best! On Backyard Feeding this week, we get some incredible tips from Missy Mandel on how to get that "perfect" shot without having to sit in the woods for hours and hours! Envirominute this week - talk to your local post office about…
- In this episode I combine Backyard Feeding and Envirominute to try and cut down on some post-Christmas waste. Dr. Bird discusses a very interesting feeder modification to keep House Sparrows away. I share stories about how birds with bigger brain/body ratios are better suited to adapt to new climates, amazing statistics about the number of insects that migrate every year and how the state of Michigan is now requiring Telecommunicatios providers to put blinking lights on their towers to prevent bird collisions.
- Lloyd Alexander is back this episode with a very informative look at how a camera focuses and how you can take advantage of that for better pictures. Dr. Bird answers a question about Nutrasaff, a relatively new birdseed on the market. There are 8 interesting festivals that we look at (VERY quickly) on Mark Your Calendar - be sure to check out the website for more info and the headlines bring us to New Zealand, Denmark and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We'll be back next week with Envirominute and more backyard feeding. Enjoy!
- This is Part 3 of my visit to Le Nichoir and wildlife biologist Joannie Gagnon tells us what to do with injured birds. Dr. Bird answers a question about if birds know when a storm is coming or not, and I share a couple of stories about incredible preservation initiatives in Belarus and Vermont. Very colourful photography on Winner's Circle, next week's theme is Water Birds. I hope you all had a great Christmas - I know I'm looking forward to an amazing 2017. See you in the New Year!
- Here is part 2 of my visit to Le Nichoir where I talk to Joannie Gagnon, a passionate wildlife biologist about what they do at the rehab centre. She talks about different treatments and approaches to different species of birds. Over the next couple of episodes we'll talk more about what can be done with injured birds if you don't have access to a rehab centre. Dr. Bird answers a question about if you should or should not leave your feeders up while away on vacation, and we announce the big giveaway winner on Winner's Circle. Have a wonderful Christmas…
- On this episode we finally get to visit Le Nichoir, a bird rehabilitation centre located in Hudson Québec. This is the first interview with Susan Wylie the director of the Centre and she answers some very relevant questions about bird rehabilitation. There will be more from Le Nichoir in coming episodes. Dr. Bird answers a question about how best to help birds find shelter in winter, and this week's envirominute challenge is to start paying your bills online to save some trees. The news has headlines from Australia, Scotland, and Canada. More spectacular photos on Winner's Circle with a new…
- This week I have a look at my nest boxes to see what needs to be cleaned up before winter. Stay tuned until the very end of the show to see what I found! Dr. Bird answers a question about the Topsy-Turvy bird or the Red and White Breasted Nuthatch. I talk about the Christmas bird count and how you can get involved. In the US click here and in Canada click here. Another quiet week in the news, but because it's the first episode of the month I talk about a few things on Mark Your Calendar. More incredible…
- Tatsiana talks about how birds can benefit if you drink shade grown coffee, Dr. Allen Armitage has a neat trick for planting many different types of bulbs in the same spot, and Dr. David Bird is back from a Bald Eagle Festival and talks about an exciting new project he is part of called BETA. Not so many headlines this week, but more amazing photography on Winner's Circle! Tatsiana also discusses the benefits of letting your backyard run a bit wild, Stay Tuned!
- Links Brome Bird Book - Bird Droppings Fighting Global Warming Around the World - The Return of the Cirl Bunting Parrot Remains Found in Siberia Birds in Government - The 'Bird Baffle' Saving Seabirds in Australia The Gray Jay is chosen by the Canadian Royal Geographical Society as the bird that best represents Canada. Dr. Allen Armitage talks about Crocuses and Saffron in November. Dr. Bird answers a question about molting birds and when to watch out for illness. In the headlines, bird droppings are helping keep part of the planet cool, Parrot bones are found in Siberia, the Cirl…
- Meet Lloyd Alexander, a professional photographer who will be contributing to BBN. This weeks envirominute challenge is to avoid plastic water bottles. Dr. Bird answers a question about what to do with sick birds in your backyard and how to diagnose Avian Pox, female Gray Jays go for older guys, a man in Britain has been collecting rare bird eggs since he was five only to have his collection seized and given to a museum and Uganda is working hard to show people how much of a birding paradise it is. This week's Winner's Circle has an interesting twist... Enjoy…
- Links to Stories Brome Bird Book - Poecivirus is most likely causing deformed bills Around the World - The Mansk Shearwater is Making a Comeback Birds in Government - A New Breeding Facility for The Greater Sage Grouse Tatsiana talks about how to deep clean feeders if you don't want to stick them in the dishwasher. Dr. Bird answers a question about how long fledglings bother their parents for food. Poecivirus is most likely the virus causing deformed beaks in birds in Alaska and Northern Canada. If you've lost an Emu, one was picked up outside of Phoenix AZ. For…
- Links to Stories Brome Bird News - Training Falcons to Scare Off Other Birds Around the World - Vote for New Zealand's Bird of the Year Birds in Government - New Jersey Audubon Working with Local Landfill to Prevent Birds From Getting Burned This week's envirominute challenge is to try and reduce the use of disposable paper cups. 58 000 000 000 cups are thrown away annually and that means over 20 million trees are cut down to make them. That's a lot of habitat loss for a cup of coffee! Dr. Bird talks about how birds sometime use ocean…
