Northeast Wildflower Seed Mix & Notes from the Edge of the Woods

I want to tell you about the morning I checked my trail camera for the first time and found a bobcat staring directly into the lens. It was the first week I had the camera up. I hadn't even fully figured out the upload process yet. And there it was; that unmistakable blocky face, tufted ears, spotted flanks, caught at 11:55 in the evening not ten feet from my back property line. I had always heard of cats around here but never had seen one. Bobcat in open edge of woods. That'

Christian Cooper is a birder, writer, board member of the National Audubon Society, and host of the television series Extraordinary Birder . He is someone who has spent years thinking deeply about what draws us to birds in the first place. I remember coming across something he described as the “Seven Pleasures of Birding.” It stayed with me in a quiet way. Not as something to memorize or repeat, but as something that slowly settled in over time. The longer I’ve spent paying a

How a Birds of Prey program can spark curiosity right at home There’s a different kind of attention that you give when a wild bird, especially one that of prey, is no longer distant but is an arms length away. Not overhead or half-hidden in the trees, but present. It kind of changes your take on things a little? At least, for me it did. That shift happened last summer at a local youth camp program in New Lebanon, NY, when a woman from the Connecticut Sharon Audubon Society vi

Every spring, dozens of wood-warbler species pour back into the Northeast to breed. Here's who's coming, when to expect them, and what to grow to bring them into your yard. Long before the trees have fully leafed out, the warblers are already moving. By late April, the vanguard species: Yellow-rumped and Pine Warblers; push north along the Atlantic flyway, following the bloom of insects up the continent's spine. Over the next six weeks, wave after wave follows: orange-crowned

Every spring, one of the most brilliantly colored birds in the eastern United States makes its way back north after spending the winter in Central America and the Caribbean. The Baltimore oriole, the male dressed in a stunning blaze of orange and black, the female in a softer olive-yellow, is a seasonal gift to backyard birders across the Northeast. If you've never had one visit your yard, this might be the year you change that. When to Watch for Them Baltimore orioles typica

When Birds Hit the Window (and what we can do about it) If you live anywhere near trees, fields, or even just a yard with a feeder, you’ve probably heard it at least once. That sudden thud against the window. It’s a sound that stops you in your tracks. Sometimes you go look right away. Sometimes you wait a second, hoping maybe it wasn’t what you think it was. And sometimes—if you’re lucky—the bird shakes it off and flies away before you even get there. But not always. Living

Birdwatching is a delightful hobby that connects us with nature and allows us to appreciate the beauty of wildlife. One of the best ways to attract native birds to your backyard is by providing them with suitable birdhouses and feeders. In this post, we will explore the essential birdhouses and feeders that can help you create a welcoming environment for your feathered friends. Understanding Native Birds Before diving into the specifics of birdhouses and feeders, it’s importa

Creating a bird-friendly garden oasis is not just about planting a few flowers and putting out a feeder. It’s about designing a space that attracts a variety of birds, providing them with food, shelter, and water. This blog post will guide you through the essential steps to transform your garden into a haven for our feathered friends. View of a wren vocalizing. Understanding the Needs of Birds Before diving into the specifics of garden design, it’s crucial to understand what

Creating a bird-friendly backyard is not just a rewarding hobby; it also contributes to local biodiversity. By planting native species, you can provide essential food and shelter for various bird species. This guide will explore the top native plants that attract birds, enhancing your garden's beauty while supporting wildlife. Why Choose Native Plants? Native plants are species that naturally occur in a specific region without human intervention. They are adapted to the local