Tag Archive: New England Birdhouse

Ribbon Cutting at the Byam Outdoor Learning Center

November 11, 2009

Students cut ribbon to open the Byam Learning Center

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 29 to officially open the Byam Outdoor Learning Center in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Located in Byam Elementary School’s central courtyard, the Learning Center will be used as an outdoor classroom with an emphasis on ecology, biology, gardening, wildlife habitats, and recycling and reusing.

The Learning Center includes a variety of bird feeders, bird houses, a birdhouse video camera system, a wireless weather station, rain guage, butterfly garden and solar bird bath. In the future, the Learning Center will be expanded to include an herb garden and composting center.

The transformation from courtyard to Outdoor Learning Center was made possible by volunteer efforts, donations from local businesses, and a grant from the Chelmsford Arts and Technology Fund.

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What Kind of Bird is it? Bird Identification Keys- Shape & Shape

October 27, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

October 27, 2009

Look at the bird’s body, head, bill, wings and tail. Does it have a round or long thin profile or silhouette? Is it’s bill short and stout, or long and thin? Does it have a long or short tail? Using these observations and a field guide, you can put the bird into a group or family of other birds. Then comparisons can be made to other birds, as well as to the bird itself to create a short list of possibilities, and then move on to the other identification keys – color pattern, behavior and habitat.

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Playfair Island Custom Birdhouse

October 10, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

October 10, 2009

The Playfair Island custom birdhouse was completed in October 2009. The custom birdhouse was bench-made with exterior grade materials and joinery. It features three bird nesting chambers, copper-lined species sized entry holes and easy access clean out panels. It was …

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Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/diy-bird-feeders-birdhouses/playfair-custom-birdhouse/

Your Backyard Birds: Red-Bellied Woodpecker

August 25, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

August 25, 2009

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a member of the Picidae family, and is the largest common woodpecker of the eastern United States. It is found primarily in northeastern US and southern Canada, ranging as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. Its common habitat is wooded areas, including suburban neighborhoods and parks. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers are very tolerant of humans, and are regular visitors to backyard garden feeders (especially during the winter), favoring sunflower seed, suet, and fruit. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers climb and “hitch” along branches and trunks of trees, picking at the bark.

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Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/about-red-bellied-woodpecker/

Your Backyard Birds: American Robin

August 18, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

August 18, 2009

The state bird of Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin, the American Robin is a familiar songbird in the thrush family. They live in towns and woodlands, and are commonly seen on suburban lawns exhibiting their “running and stopping” behavior as they gather their morning worms.

The America Robin feeds on different things throughout the day, including earthworms in the morning, and fruits and berries in the evening. They are mostly active during the day and gather in large flocks at night to roost in trees in secluded areas.

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Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/about-american-robins/

Your Backyard Birds: House Sparrow

August 9, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

August 9, 2009

House Sparrows are the most abundant songbirds in North America and the most widely distributed birds on the planet. These small, round birds are frequent visitors to suburban backyard bird feeders, and are commonly found in school yards, fast food parking lots, and street corners. Imported from England to North America between 1850 and 1886 in an effort to control insects, the House Sparrow (originally called the “English sparrow”) has grown in population to over 150 million. It’s aggressive nesting behavior and adaptability to humankind, has led to this increase and given them an unpopular status among many birding enthusiast.

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What is Backyard Birding?

July 22, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

July 22, 2009

Generally, a backyard birder can be defined as someone who enjoys feeding and seeing wild birds in their garden or patio. Backyard birding is a new name for a very old activity. At some point in our lives, we’ve probably all hung a bird feeder, thrown bread on the ground, or maybe even taken pause on a warm summer day to listen to the “feee-dee-de” whistle of a male chickadee – all backyard birding activities. The basic components of backyard birding are providing food & water, and shelter for the visiting wild birds.

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No ordinary nest

July 17, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

July 17, 2009

Eight years ago, Bill Askenburg established New England Birdhouse of Chelmsford, Mass., a niche business offering custom miniature replicas of clients’ homes that serve as weather-resistant bird shelters. As he works meticulously on each piece, he says he always considers how special each one is going to be to the recipient.

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Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/inside-nebh/no-ordinary-nest/

Your Backyard Birds: Mourning Dove

July 1, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

July 1, 2009

Mourning Dove
Scientific Name: Zenaida macroura

A member of the dove family (columbidae), Mourning Doves are the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds. They are named for their mournful call. They are very prolific breeders – raising up to six broods per year. Parents are typically monogamous, and both incubate and care for the young.

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Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/backyard-birding/about-mourning-dove/

Father’s Day Gift Ideas That Are Uniquely For The Birds

June 15, 2009

by Bill Askenburg

June 15, 2009

Father’s Day is near and if your dad is a bird watching enthusiast, or a backyard birder who enjoys relaxing on the patio watching his bird feeders and bird bath, we’ve compiled a top-five list of unique gift ideas just for …

Permanent link to this article: http://blog.newenglandbirdhouse.com/stuff-we-like/fathers-day-gift-ideas/

New England Birdhouse Blog

Tag Archive: New England Birdhouse

Ribbon Cutting at the Byam Outdoor Learning Center

What Kind of Bird is it? Bird Identification Keys- Shape & Shape

Playfair Island Custom Birdhouse

Your Backyard Birds: Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Your Backyard Birds: American Robin

Your Backyard Birds: House Sparrow

What is Backyard Birding?

No ordinary nest

Your Backyard Birds: Mourning Dove

Father’s Day Gift Ideas That Are Uniquely For The Birds

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