Home › Archives for April 2013

Good year for Adder’s Tongue: Yellow flowers with spotched leaves

This wet spring has made it a good year for Adder’s Tongue. Also known as Trout Lily, Fawn lily, Dog's-tooth violet, Thousand leaf, Deer tongue, Yellow snowdrop, Yellow adder's tongue lily, and Yellow fawn lily, the scientific name is Erythronium americanum.A lot of the diverse names result from the green leaves with purple...
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Close-up look at where the Ruby-throated hummingbird nests

There is no particular tree species in which hummingbirds prefer to nest. They first look for a territory that supplies enough bugs and nectar to support them and their babies. Next they look for a tree that provides proper camouflage and protection from predators. Hummingbirds usually return to the same general area...
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How many mealworms to put out each day

Bluebirds are primarily insect eaters in the spring and summer. When their babies hatch bluebirds know instinctively that mealworms are too big for newly hatched babies. They start them out with tiny bugs for their young. Although the parent bird will appreciate your easy mealworm breakfast during a stressful time,...
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Why they were named Baltimore Orioles

I finally put up my Baltimore Oriole feeder. Now I can relax and await my handsome gentleman caller. Of the nine species of orioles, the Baltimore is common and widespread in the east while the Bullock’s Oriole is common in the west.The Baltimore Oriole (7-8.25”) is bright orange bird with black hood and...
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What happens if the female bald eagle loses mate while incubating eggs

Hi:  I have been watching live streaming videos of Eagles' nests and the parent sitting on the eggs, on the Hancock website. I have observed the eagle parent leaving the two eggs unattended in the nest on a regular basis, every day, about 5-6 PM. I presume that the Eagle parent is off looking for food, and I have...
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Photo Share: Owl, Eagle, Duck, and Fox

Sarah, Well here is a barred owl that hung out at the feeder during the day for about a week.  The little guys, like the black caps, didn't care he was there but the jays and doves stayed away.  He was after the mice that were there.  The red squirrels ran through the trees behind him knowing they were...
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Wild Birds Unlimited has the best Oriole feeders

Baltimore Orioles arrive at their mid-Michigan breeding grounds near the end of April. They are orange and black birds that enjoy a variety of foods. At the feeders they enjoy suet, nuts, mealworms, nectar, grape jelly, or fruit (oranges, grapes, apples).Wild Birds Unlimited has lots of oriole feeders: WBU Oriole...
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Turkey Courtship

This group came to the feeder a year or so ago.  They were funny to watch.  They were like teenagers.  The boys showing off and the girls pretending not to notice. ~ Grayling, MI st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;...
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There are a lot of different sparrows in Michigan

I’m always excited to see the White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows in the spring. These two bird species only migrate through mid-Michigan in the spring and fall. You can look for them under the feeders from late April to late May and again sometime in September to November. They show up in mid-Michigan...
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White-throated Sparrows announce spring officially for gardeners

Is it spring on March 20th when the calendar says its spring? Is it spring when you hear the robins singing for a mate? Is it spring when the blackbirds return to Michigan? For some, yes. For gardeners it’s spring when the White-throated Sparrow arrives in mid-Michigan.When they show up you know the earth is warming, frost...
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Lucky sighting of a Rough-legged Hawk

Hello, this deer was killed by coyotes in our yard near Grayling a few nights ago.  I took it out to the woods and placed the game camera near it to see what came in to eat.  Besides the usual Ravens, Vultures, and Eagles this guy/girl came.  While I think it may be a red tailed hawk, it doesn't quite...
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Do I need to change my bird seed when the seasons change?

I love, love, love the birds that come to the no-mess blend. I just started feed birds after I received a bird feeder for Christmas. I so enjoy the watching all the activity. Do I have to change my seed blend to something else as the weather gets warmer? ~ Lansing, MII'm so happy you are enjoying your new feeders! I use...
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Photo Share: Too Cute Squirrels and Splotchy Goldfinches

Hi Sarah, I wanted to share some of the pictures I’ve taken lately , you can pick whatever you like and can use:) I never can decide what to send. We feed the squirrels and can’t resist taking photos. They are too cute. It was fun watching the finches molt and change into their summer yellow. ~ HollyThank you for sharing...
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Bird Watching is Going Green with Recycled Products

April 22 is the date designated as International Mother Earth Day by a consensus resolution adopted by the United Nations in 2009. It recognizes that the Earth and its ecosystems are our home and that it is necessary to promote harmony with nature and the Earth.So in anticipation I thought I would highlight the Wild Birds...
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There’s a turkey in my yard!

My mom called me all excited, “Sarah there’s a turkey in the yard!”  Turkeys are very large birds that aren’t common in most suburbs, but as their population increases, so may our sightings of these beautiful birds. Coincidentally, Holly, a regular shopper at the East Lansing Wild Birds Unlimited store shared some...
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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a real bird

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 I woke up this morning and saw a woodpecker pecking on the trunks of the back pines. Larger than a Downy, perhaps a Hairy, no… oh it’s a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Now two sapsuckers dancing in the trees!If you grew up in my generation...
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