Blog

Help Birds Keep Warm This Winter

by Ann Markin | Feb 11, 2021

In the cold of winter, there are many things you can do to help birds survive the season. Here are a few tips that are easy to implement. Birds use a lot of extra energy to keep warm in cold weather. Therefore, they must consume more calories than they do in warmer...

Nebraska’s Sensational Spring Spectacle

by Ann Markin | Jan 10, 2021

For a few weeks each spring, one of the world’s most awesome wildlife spectacles occurs right here in Nebraska. Nearly half a million sandhill cranes descend upon the Platte River Valley to feed and rest before continuing their long northward migration to their...

Northern Cardinals

by Ann Markin | Dec 9, 2020

The Northern Cardinal is actually one of seven species in the world with the name Cardinal. The name was derived from the Cardinals (the rank above Bishop) of the Roman Catholic Church who wear red robes and hats. The Northern Cardinal is found in the United States....

Nuthatches

by Ann Markin | Nov 9, 2020

The name Nuthatch probably results from the corruption of the word “nuthack,” referring to the bird’s habit of hacking away at a seed with its beak until it opens. Nuthatches have short legs, flat bodies and large heads. Nuthatch pairs stay together throughout the...

Woodpeckers in Your Backyard

by Ann Markin | Oct 11, 2020

Northern Flicker From the tree to the suet feeder, back to the tree, on to the hopper feeder and then back to the tree. What in the world is that woodpecker doing? Most likely, it’s looking for dinner. Woodpeckers spend most of their waking hours looking for food....

Fun Facts about House Finches

by Ann Markin | Sep 1, 2020

As many of you know, I am an avid birdwatcher. Before retiring, I wrote monthly articles and blogs about bird feeding, birds, and other wildlife. Recently, I have received requests to do this again. Over the next months, I’ll be doing just that. I’m starting with...