Backyard Birding

On a cool, sunny New England spring morning bluebird love was in the air. After dropping my son off at school, I visited Red Wing Farm (a great open space in Chelmsford,Massachusetts to bird watch) and was fortunate to observe a pair of Eastern Bluebirds grazing upon fat grubs while perched atop their nesting box. The...
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I recently completed a couple of bluebird houses made from discarded fence rails that were "rescued" from a burn pile. Over April vacation, my sons and I worked with our town's Open Space Stewardship program to help establish a tree nursery at Sunny Meadow Farm. In addition to the plot used to grow trees...
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While cleaning out a birdhouse this Spring, I discovered a that a family of Northern Flying Squirrels had moved in.
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For me one of life's simple pleasures is catering to the wildlife that frequent our yard. We live in a small, rural town where woodland surrounds our property. It isn't unusual to see wild turkeys and deer trespassing across the lawn. Now that Spring has sprung, we look forward to being able to open windows,...
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There's been a wild monkey in the Tampa Bay area for the past year - and he's been caught on video visiting bird feeders. Homeowner Rick Coffey spotted the monkey in his back yard in the Pinellas Point neighborhood at the southern tip of St. Petersburg, FL. He said the monkey appeared to be...
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The National Wildlife Federation assists schools in developing outdoor classrooms called Schoolyard Habitats, where teachers and students learn how to attract and support wildlife on school grounds. Students learn about wildlife in the outdoor classrooms, and expand their academic skills in a creative, unique and nurturing environment. For more information about creating a Schoolyard...
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Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses how to certify your backyard or garden with the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Visit NWF's Wildlife Certification website for more information. Seventh of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school.
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Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefits of sustainable gardening, and provides examples such as composting, and eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He also discusses water conserving tactics such as using native plants and rain barrels. Sixth of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your...
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Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses options for providing places for animals to raise their young in your backyard, including dense plants, snags, nesting boxes, bat boxes, clean standing water, and host and nectar plants. For a list of recommended native plants for your state, please visit the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Fifth of seven...
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Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefit native plants offer in providing shelter and cover for wild birds. The video includes a discussion of using native plants, the benefits of evergreen plants, planting a living fence, creating a brush pile, providing roosting boxes, and leaving dead trees or "snags" in place to create "apartment buildings"...
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