It seems like just yesterday that spring had sprung and the birding message boards were full of folks eagerly asking, “When do the hummingbirds arrive? Have you seen any hummers yet?” And then there was a flurry of people excitedly sharing pictures and reports of their first sightings. But lately I’m seeing a lot of… Read more »
So, you’re walking along, you glance down, and there it is, a gift from nature: a feather. On occasion its source is obvious—if it’s winter in the Midwest and the feather is reddish, it’s from a cardinal. Often, though, the feathers we find are harder to identify. If you have a smartphone or camera with… Read more »
Scott Weidensaul is living a life of avian adventure. His recent book, A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migration, has become a New York Times bestseller—and for good reason: Scott is a masterful storyteller. About the Book (from Publisher W.W. Norton): In the past two decades, our understanding of the navigational and… Read more »
by Julie Zickefoose, Guest Contributor and Bird Watcher’s Digest Columnist A recent Washington Post article discusses fledgling blue jays and grackles being stricken with a “new disease” in Northern Virginia. Birds exhibit blindness, closed eyes, lethargy, and ataxia. I’m going to throw in my unresearched, common-sense opinion as a licensed bird rehabilitator for the past… Read more »
It was a first for Bird Watcher’s Digest: a Reader Rendezvous (birding tour) focusing on bird photography. The leader of this event was our own production director, Bruce Wunderlich, who is also a professional photographer, specializing in our charming hometown, Marietta, Ohio—and in birds. In each issue of BWD, you’ll find spectacular bird photos from… Read more »
It’s the most wonderful time of the year if you’re a birder! And the staff here at Bird Watcher’s Digest is spending every minute we can in between our work responsibilities trying to soak up all the migrants passing through our yards and patches and whatever birdy spots we find ourselves this spring. We thought… Read more »
Every morning, I crawl out of bed, put on my walking clothes, and take my little dog, Frankie, for a walk. In other words, I go birding. At most times of the year and when I’m pressed for time, I stick to the streets and alleys near my house for about 20 minutes. There, the… Read more »
“Hearing a cerulean in front of the mausoleum.” Bird Watcher’s Digest editor Dawn Hewitt texted me a 6:35 a.m. update from her neighborhood birding patch, knowing that I had visited that same graveyard the weekend prior and was sorry to have missed a cerulean warbler sighting. I assumed this message was a kind gesture rather… Read more »
“Garlic mustard is an exotic invasive, and it must be stopped!” Does this sound familiar? Because I hear words to this effect every spring, and due to Spring Bird Brain, I file Pull invasive garlic weed! in the low-priority lobe of said bird brain. But, with my recent efforts to create a more sustainable, bird-friendly yard… Read more »
Here at Bird Watcher’s Digest we’re celebrating mothers, both human and avian! At this time of year, female birds are hard at work laying eggs and taking care of their young. If you’re looking for ways to help mothers with wings, we have five great ideas to share. Keep cats indoors. Domestic cats—even well-fed, mostly… Read more »
