230 posts
Be Like Lichen
What if we could learn a lesson or two in survival from one of the Earth’s weirdest organisms? Lichen in our cities present a powerful metaphor for our biologically troubled…
The Secret Life of Bats: Attics, Evictions and Alternative Roosts
It’s hard being a bat these days. Bats have had a bad reputation for centuries due to unfounded fears, most recently getting bad press with the global pandemic. Also, in…
Avian Acrobats
The barn swallow is one of the world’s most common and widespread species, inhabiting every part of the globe except Antarctica. In Canada, it graces every province and territory, arriving…
Are Bats Starting to Fight White-nose Syndrome?
Good News for the Little Brown Bat White-nose Syndrome (WNS) first appeared in North America in 2006. This fungus was accidentally brought to North America by people who were exploring…
Native Trees and Shrubs with Autumn Colour
Fall is a lovely time to enjoy another stage of our plants – their changing leaf colours. We’re all familiar with the famous Canadian maples and their reds, oranges and…
Molting 101
When do birds lose their feathers and why? Yikes! Are some of the birds at your feeder looking a little rough around the edges? Don’t worry. They’re not ill (although…
My Work Helping CWF Save the Bees
Thirty-two of Ontario’s economically essential crops rely on pollinators such as bees, flower flies and flies. As the summer begins to wind down, and my co-op placement comes to an…
7 Ways to Attract Finches to Your Backyard
Finches are some of the most cheerfully coloured birds to appear in our gardens. With vivid colours of bright yellows to deep reds, they are incredible creatures! There are 13…
Turn Off the Lights!
We keep learning how artificial light impacts wildlife. While many species can be affected, migratory birds are particularly sensitive to lights left on at night. Migratory Bird Calls A recent…
Q&A With Avian Expert David Bird
Thanks to COVID-19, the number of folks deriving pleasure from the birds in their yards has increased exponentially. Not only are these backyard birders watching their feathered neighbours, they also…
