I’m Alison Kondler. Audubon Master Birder, Wildlife Filmer, & TEDx Speaker. Fme for more birding content.
Which bird are you? I'm a little bit European Starling mixed with Black-capped Chickadee - Carrying the vibe. 🤣
The Paton Center for Hummingbirds is hotspot that’s been drawing bird-lovers in since 1973. It began when Wally and Marion Paton opened their yard to anyone curious about the hummingbirds coming to their feeders. Over time the property became one of the most recognized birding stops in southern Arizona, and it still keeps the same open, welcoming setup the Paton’s created.
Hummingbirds are the main draw, especially Broad-billed, Violet-crowned, Black-chinned, Anna’s, and Rivoli’s. You’ll also see Gila Woodpeckers, Verdins, Lesser Goldfinch, Pyrrhuloxia, Inca Doves, and Lazuli Buntings working the trees and feeders. With surprise guests including Gray Hawk, Thick billed Kingbird, Varied Bunting and others.
When visiting be sure to grab some delicious food in the town of Patagonia for a relaxing break before heading back out to bird in the area. My favorite spot there is Gathering Grounds, but comment if you know of others.
Learn how to identify up to 38 species of ducks and waterfowl that spend fall through spring along Colorado’s Front Range, by both sight and sound. We’ll visit local lakes to study their plumage, postures, and behaviors, catch courtship displays, and match each “quack” to its species. We’ll also see and hear other wetland birds along the way.
All proceeds will be donated to the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, supporting bird conservation through science, education, and land stewardship. $15 per person. Limited to 12 people.
Sign up under Bird Focus - Duck ID event at birdingbyear . com
, , , , Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Stop squirrels in their cute and fluffy tracks with these tips. Here’s how to deter squirrels from eating all of your birdseed. Tell me how you deter squirrels.
Some birds lose a leg due to injury, infection, or entanglement. The most common cause is called stringfoot, when hair, thread, or fishing line wraps tightly around the leg and cuts off circulation until the limb eventually falls off. Other causes include frostbite, predator attacks, or untreated wounds. Many birds adapt and continue to live full lives, balancing and perching perfectly on one leg for years.
Big chunks are packed with nutrition and keep birds coming back for more. Most birdseed mixes are full of fillers birds don’t eat and toss aside, leaving you with an empty feeder and hungry birds.
Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry is different. Instead of wasted filler, it’s packed with nuts, seeds, and fruit that draw a wider variety of species, including berry lovers like American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and Bluebirds.
Wild Delight Deck, Porch N’ Patio, a zero-waste bird food, is my favorite because there are no weeds to pull, and more birds show up since every seed is ready to eat, no shells to crack.
My yard has exploded with bird activity since I switched to Wild Delight. Drop a comment if you’ve tried it, or if you’d like seed info and tips on attracting more birds to your yard.
