Skip the Fall Cleanup! (Follow-up: Not Just for the Birds)
By Mary Leigh
[from fall 2026 newsletter]
Something like 25 years ago, my husband and I didn’t get around to trimming back our flowers in the fall, which was generally considered the thing to do at the time. This occurrence led to 3 surprises.
Gardening for Birds
By Kari Zelinskas
[from fall 2026 newsletter]
The long winter months are quickly approaching. Take advantage of this time to plan for how you can make your yard more attractive to a variety of birds. Choosing native plants will best support your local birds by providing food, shelter, and nesting sites appropriate to your area.
Chimney Swift Watch
By Marty Corfman
[from fall 2026 newsletter]
On Monday, August 24th, I had the pleasure of leading a Chimney Swift Watch at Wartburg Theological Seminary.
…
I did my best to answer questions about the fascinating roosting behavior of these wonderful birds.
…
These incredible aerialists spend virtually their entire lives in flight, landing only to incubate eggs or roost at night.
Bird-Brained: Insult or Compliment?
By Kari Zelinskas
[from spring 2026 newsletter]
Derogatory expressions such as bird-brain, crazy as a loon, and dumb as a dodo imply birds lack intelligence or common sense. But modern research has debunked that idea…
Screech, Trill, Whinny – Oh My… Spotlight on Eastern Screech Owl
By Kari Zelinskas
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
Meet the elusive Eastern Screech-Owl. Nocturnal, they roost during the day and hunt at dusk and night. Despite the name, Screech-Owls don’t just screech…
Did You Know? Flock Names
By Kari Zelinskas
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
Did you know there are different names for the flocks of birds? You might see a blush of Robins, a charm of Finches, or a confusion of Warblers.
Feeding Bread to Birds (Or Not)
By Kevin Koch
[from fall 2025 newsletter]
The next time you’re tempted to feed the birds from that bag of bread, think again! You might just be depriving your feathered friends of a broader range of nutrition they’ll need throughout the year.
While bread does contain carbohydrates, bird specialist Dr. David Shealer, Professor of Biology at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, points out that birds also need proteins and fats in their diet…
Spotlight on American Goldfinch
By Mary Leigh
[from fall 2025 newsletter]
This summer, I went on a guided bird walk at Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Sapsucker Woods, in Ithaca, NY… During the walk, our guide shared some fun facts about American Goldfinch that make them unusual.
Q&A: Feeding Bread
[from summer 2025 newsletter]
Question:
Is it OK to feed bread to birds?
Answer: No!
Please help us spread the word that birds should not be fed bread, popcorn, crackers, chips, cereal, and most processed foods.
Q&A: Gravel Roads in Wintertime
By Tony Moline
[from spring 2025 newsletter]
Question:
Why do birds flock to gravel roads in the wintertime?
Answer:
Because they have no teeth! Instead, birds have a gizzard, a muscular part of their stomach that helps them grind up food. Small rocks and sand (or grit) are ingested by birds to create “teeth” in the gizzard.
Q&A: American Robins
By Mary Leigh
[from winter 2024 newsletter]
Question: Do American Robins remain in the Midwest all winter?
Answer: Yes! Although American Robins are regarded as a sign of spring in the Midwest, they are here year-round.
2024 eBird Taxonomy Update
By Mary Leigh
[from winter 2024 newsletter]
I noticed recently that my eBird life list bird count increased by 1 when I hadn’t added any new species. The explanation was the annual taxonomy update! Every year, based on new insights by ornithologists, species are split, lumped, and renamed.