Latest News - Backyard Birds

Ah, Spring! Baby Birds Are About to Arrive

Welcome the Birds and Help Them Thrive with These Nest Box Tips! Spring is in the air, and the birds are singing their songs! It’s a wonderful time to get your backyard ready for the upcoming baby bird season. One of the best ways to help birds is to provide them with safe and secure […]

Feed Them and They Will Come

A Guide to Welcoming Backyard Guests There is something deeply comforting about looking out the window on a frosty morning and seeing a flurry of activity at the feeders. If you’ve ever wondered if your efforts truly make a difference, the answer is a resounding yes. Feeding our wild avian friends helps sustain local populations […]

Winter Feeding Helps Attract Wild Birds to Your Backyard

Unlocking the Year-Round Magic of Bird Feeding: Your Friendly Guide to a Thriving Backyard When I look out my kitchen window on a chilly morning, nothing brings me more peace than seeing a cardinal flash its bright red against the gray sky, or watching a chickadee snatch a seed from the feeder. If you’re anything […]

Keep Your Backyard Birds Safe & Warm this Winter

Birds only nest during spring and summer—their breeding season. But during the rest of the year, cavity-nesting birds often use these same boxes for shelter at night, particularly in the winter time. Sometimes more than a dozen birds will pile into a single box to conserve heat. But nest boxes are far from ideal for […]

7 Tips on Making the Most of Fall Bird Migration

As the weather begins to cool, new birds begin migrating into or through our area September through November. The exact times of fall migration vary, but there are plenty of clues birders can watch for to learn when their best fall birds will be arriving. Speaking of fall birds, you will be sure to enjoy […]

How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard With Water

Water is one of the most important things birders can add to their backyard to attract birds. All bird species need water, and adding one or more water features to your yard will quickly attract feathered friends.

American Goldfinch Are Still Nesting

Why does the American Goldfinch wait so late in the year before nesting? Thistle plants, a major nesting material for the American Goldfinch, blooms in July. It’s thought that the blooming period of the Thistle plant may play a part in the timing of their nesting season. As late summer approaches, these Thistle plants set […]

Summer Time is Hummer Time!

Hummingbirds Add Another Dimension to a Garden that You Won’t Want to Miss As summer approaches, we start to notice an increase in activity with hummingbirds, as breeding territories are abandoned, juveniles are weaned and hummers from up north make their way south. Now is a good time to increase the number of hummingbird feeders […]

Excuse me…what did you say?

Have you noticed the birds singing more now that Spring is here? Their songs are filling the air with life and energy—so much so that you may find yourself wondering: what are they actually saying? If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning behind these beautiful sounds, you’re not alone. According to Sally Roth, author of […]

Keeping Hummingbirds Happy and Healthy: The Importance of Fresh Nectar, Especially in Summer Heat

Hummingbirds are captivating creatures with a sugar-centric lifestyle. They fuel their incredible flight and energy needs by consuming flower nectar, tree sap, and even the occasional insect for protein. In many backyards, birders attract these tiny marvels with a simple homemade nectar recipe that mimics the natural sucrose content of flowers. This recipe, combining sugar […]

Hummingbirds have arrived in North Carolina

According to North Carolina State University, only the ruby-throated hummingbird lives throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and southern Canada. Hummingbirds migrate away from North Carolina during colder months and come back when it’s warmer. Migration Hummingbirds generally leave North Carolina when winter comes around, according to North Carolina State University. They spend the […]

Baby Hummingbirds Have Left the Nest

Hummingbird fledglings are out and visiting the feeders. When they leave the nest, the chicks are considerably larger than their mothers: they may weigh 4.5 grams, while Mom is down to only 2.5 g after the stress of raising her young. Since the mother starts incubating the first egg as soon as it’s laid, that chick […]

February is National Bird-Feeding Month

National Bird-Feeding Month is celebrated in the United States during the month of February. This special month was established to educate the public about the wild bird feeding and watching hobby. It serves as a reminder to take extra care of our feathered friends during the harsh winter months, ensuring they have everything they need to thrive. Here are some ways […]

Birdbaths in Freezing Cold Winters

Drinking water entices birds year-round, but keeping it ice free in winter can be a challenge. Birds have several physiological mechanisms for conserving water, but in our area we do not get the snow that birds can use. Providing a source of water when everything around is frozen offers a huge benefit for the birds. On […]

Providing Food for Birds in the Winter

Most birds that visit backyards in cold weather thrive on seeds, since insects and fruit are harder to find naturally during the winter. The best foods to offer birds in colder weather have a high fat or oil content that will provide abundant energy for winter survival. Providing high calorie and high fat foods can […]

Preparing Your Natural Wildlife Habitat for Winter

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning. Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on […]

Making the Winter Transition to Keep Your Backyard Birds Safe

The abrupt arrival of freezing temperatures is a clear sign that the vibrant fall season has swiftly given way to winter’s chill. With this shift in seasons and weather, our avian companions are also undergoing a significant transition to cope with the cold days and nights ahead.

Where Are The Birds? Find Out At Backyard Birds.

Our customers have been calling in and asking, “Where are all of the birds?” Birds routinely change their feeding behavior. Temperature, weather, time of year, and time of day all influence feeding habits. In mild weather, when wild food is plentiful, birds will use your feeder less. When they are under more pressure to find […]

Fall is A Great Time for Attracting Birds in Your Backyard

Fall is a great time to attract birds in your backyard! Just as birds adjust their behaviors as the seasons change, so too must birders adjust how they interact with birds if they hope to enjoy the great diversity of autumn avian life.

September and Goldfinches

September is a big month for the goldfinch. Their numbers should be increasing daily as fledglings emerge from their nests. Your feeders filled with nyjer and sunflower chips will be busy with lots of these little birds jockeying for position. They will also eat coneflower seed heads (sunflowers, thistle, asters) well into the winter months, […]

Summer is Winding Down

In August, as the summer is winding down, young birds are busy learning to survive on their own. Many adult birds have raised three to five batches of young in the past few months and these young birds are out in full force looking for food. This can be one of the busiest times of […]

Midsummer Birdwatching

July is an exciting time for bird watching! There should be plenty of juvenile birds to stretch your identification skills and lots of activity as parents help their young to find food and escape predators. Different types of feeders will attract different varieties of birds to your backyard. Here are some examples of birds you will […]

Make June Your Month to Fly Away with Backyard Birds!

June is a glorious time to step outside and embrace the beauty of the natural world. With warm days, longer hours of daylight, and a vibrant symphony of birdsong, it’s the perfect season to reconnect with nature. Here at Backyard Birds, we’re passionate about helping you experience the joy of the outdoors, and June offers […]

How to Attract Finches in Your Backyard

You can’t help but notice these active and acrobatic little birds with a short, conical bill and a small, head, long wings, and short, notched tail, especially this time of year. Photo submitted by Floyd Seitz Adult male Finches in spring and early summer are bright yellow with black forehead, black wings with white markings, […]

The Bluebirds are nesting!

We have had several customers reporting bluebirds building nests and several reports of eggs. So the bluebirds are well on there way to another season. Here are some successful features of a bluebird house No perch they may help encourage Sparrows Entrance hole should be 1 1/2 inches in diameter Ventilation by a small hole […]

Here Come the Hummers

For some wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us . . . hummingbirds will be back soon! In this installment of the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie spend a few minutes sharing interesting facts and figures about hummingbirds, courtesy of Cornell’s, Birds of North […]

Native Plants in Your Backyard Garden

Add beauty and wildlife habitat value to your yard by using native plants! We all know about using feeders to provide food for birds. But did you know that the landscaping choices you make can also provide for birds? And bees, butterflies and other wildlife? There are many great sources for info on native plants. […]

Brome Takes Flight at Backyard Birds: Introducing Two New Must-Have Products for Bird Lovers!

Backyard Birds is excited to announce the arrival of two brand new, innovative products from one of our top-selling brands, Brome Bird Care! Brome is a name synonymous with quality and ingenious design, particularly when it comes to keeping pesky critters away from your precious bird feeders. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just getting […]

Introducing Think Outside: Where Creativity Takes Flight at Backyard Birds!

Calling all nature lovers and design enthusiasts! We at Backyard Birds are thrilled to announce the arrival of a brand-new line of products that will spark your imagination and transform your living spaces: Think Outside! Think Outside isn’t just a name, it’s a philosophy. Their collection features remarkable, handcrafted sculptures, décor, and furniture designed to […]

What to Do if You Find a Baby Bird: A Backyard Birds Guide

Spring has sprung, and with it comes the heartwarming sight (and sound!) of baby birds! But what if you stumble upon a lone chick on the ground? Fear not, fellow bird enthusiast, Backyard Birds is here to help! First things first, stay calm! Finding a baby bird can be surprising, but it doesn’t necessarily mean […]

It’s Baby Bird Season, Help Keep Them Safe with Backyard Birds!

Spring has sprung at Backyard Birds, and that means one thing: baby bird season is in full swing! Our feathered friends are busy building nests, laying eggs, and preparing to raise the next generation of songbirds. At Backyard Birds, we’re passionate about creating a welcoming environment for all birds, and that includes protecting their young. […]

“What to Do if You Find a Baby Bird?” by Dr. Karen Becker

Here are the steps to take if you encounter a baby bird out of its nest this spring according to Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. Spring is upon us and certainly springtime means almost always the inevitable encounter with wildlife. Although if you’re like me, we love wildlife and we’re thankful […]

How to Identify A Nestling from A Fledgling

This picture indicates how to identify a nestling from a fledgling. Why is this important? Nestlings should be in a nest. If you find a nestling on the ground you can locate the nest and put it back inside. If the bird continually is rejected from the nest it can mean the parents aren’t feeding them […]

The Backyard Blues: May Your Blues Be Eastern Bluebirds

Prior to the 1930’s, the Eastern Bluebird was one of North Carolina’s most common songbirds. By 1979, bluebirds were declared rare and uncommon by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Man’s activities and severe winters resulted in a 90% decline in bluebird populations. The continuing loss of natural nesting sites and other problems faced by […]

Backyard Birds named a Nextdoor 2023 Neighborhood Fave!

Backyard Birds Voted a Neighborhood Fave in Nextdoor’s 2023 Local Business Awards MATTHEWS, NC, JULY 31, 2023 — Backyard Birds has been named to the winning list of Nextdoor’s 2023 Neighborhood Faves, the only annual awards where neighbors vote to celebrate their favorite local businesses. This year, Neighborhood Fave winners like Backyard Birds will receive greater […]

Attracting Birds to Your Backyard in the Spring

Spring is a wonderful time to welcome birds back to your backyard. As temperatures warm up and plants begin to bloom, birds begin their migration northward in search of food and nesting sites. If you’re a bird enthusiast, there are several things you can do to attract birds to your backyard and create a welcoming […]

Winter Feeding Helps Attract Wild Birds to Your Backyard

Many gardeners are bird lovers and for good reason! Birds are important predators of insects that damage our gardens during the growing season. They also provide us with beauty and amusement during the cold winter as they flock to our bird feeders. Birding as a hobby currently ranks second only to gardening as America’s favorite […]

Preparing Your Natural Wildlife Habitat for Winter

Carolina Widlife Conservation Center

The Spotted Lantern Fly with Dr. Kelly Oten

Restoring Land with Christina

Audubon Initiatives

Looking Back at One Year

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Debbie and Laurie (and Chris) are celebrating their first year on the air and, in this week’s episode, spend a few moments reminiscing, talking and laughing about a few memories from year number one. Spend a few minutes with them […]

Native Bees with Alden Picard

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Alden Picard returns to the show this week for a fascinating and insightful conversation on native Bees. Alden has a Masters of Science degree is a Certified Interpretive Guide and is an environmental educator with Mecklenburg County Parks, Nature Preserves […]

Coyotes with Chris Matthews

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Chris Matthews serves the citizens of Mecklenburg County as Division Director, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources. In this week’s installment, Chris joins Debbie and Laurie in the studio to have a conversation around coyotes. Chris gives us the backstory on […]

Chronic Wasting Disease

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Chronic Wasting Disease (Zombie Deer Disease), “is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer and moose. It has been found in some areas of North America, including Canada and the […]

Fall Migration with Tony

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Tony Lombardino returns to the show this week to offer a wealth of information on birds and their fall migration. Tony has a PhD in neuroscience and he has studied how the brains of birds allow them to sing […]

NC Bradford Pear Bounty

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. “The Bradford pear tree is an ornamental commonly planted tree in North Carolina. Sure, it has pretty blossoms, but it’s also structurally weak, stinky, and harmful to our native ecosystems! Bradford pears can breed with other varieties of pear trees […]

Playin’ ‘Possum with Alden Picard

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature. We love to engage with our listeners and have a few fabulous prizes we’d love to share with you. As a part of helping us grow our social media and online presence, we’re giving you an opportunity to […]

Products to Make Your Natural Life Easier

The Many Benefits of Being in Nature

Getting Rid of Skeeters

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature. Before we get into the meat of this week’s show notes, please don’t forget to click the subscribe button on your favorite podcasting platform then leave us a five-star rating and a nice review. Currently, The Backyard Naturalists […]

Water Accessories for Your Natural Habitat

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In a previous episode of The Backyard Naturalists, you learned that water is essential for all wildlife as well as a requirement for your Certified Wildlife Habitat. This week, Debbie and Laurie spend a few minutes exploring water accessories […]

The Red Wolf Recovery Project

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalist, the podcast about anything and everything related to nature. Kat Ramos with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation joins Debbie and Laurie this week to have a fascinating conversation about the Red Wolf Recovery program. It’s highly unlikely many of our listeners have seen a red wolf in the […]

Minimizing Mess Feeding Birds

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. How many times have you placed a bird feeder outside your home or business . . . only to take it back down a few weeks later because of the mess? There’s discarded seed all over the ground, unwanted weeds […]

The Learning Habitat

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this weeks episode Rachel and Chrissy from The Learning Habitat visit Debbie and Laurie to introduce them to their organization that prides themselves as “a group of caring, experienced, qualified and devoted tutors who love helping students grow intellectually, […]

Turtles with Jay

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Reptile expert, Jay Bell from Reptiles 101 returns to the studio this week for a fun and entertaining episode on turtles. We’re focusing on two species this week, the eastern box turtle and the common snapping turtle. In this […]

Those Pesky Squirrels

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. One of the questions folks have for the team at Backyard Birds is how to keep those pesky squirrels away from their bird feeders. In this week’s episode, Debbie and Laurie off a few affordable solutions and ideas to […]

Jabebo Earrings

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. The team from Jabebo Earrings joins Debbie and Laurie for this week’s episode of The Backyard Naturalists and in the spirit of reduce, reuse and recycle, we invited them on the show to tall you about their special products. […]

Birdfeeding 101

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Sometimes, folks can get overwhelmed and confused when they begin the hobby of bird feeding. Which feeder should you buy? Is there a certain type of seed you should purchase? How much money should you invest? How do you […]

Hummingbirds with Bill Hilton

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. A few weeks ago, Dr. Bill Hilton, Jr. joined Debbie and Laurie to talk about his organization, Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History, located in York, SC. Bill was twice named the South Carolina Science Teacher of the […]

Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast about anything and everything related to nature. In this week’s episode, Debbie and Laurie have a conversation with Conservation District Manager, Leslie Vanden Herik around the history, purpose and offerings of the Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation District, including conservation, planning and technical assistance, as well […]

Matthews Community Farmer’s Market

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast. The show about anything and everything related to nature. The week, Debbie and Laurie take the show on the road, on-site and on-location at Matthews Community Farmer’s Market. This episode was recorded Saturday, May 21, 2022. Matthews Community Farmer’s Market prides themselves as “the largest, most diverse producer-only […]

Cloister Honey

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast. The show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this week’s episode, Randall York with Cloister Honey joins Debbie and Laurie to talk about the organization was founded from a simple Christmas gift from his wife, Joanne, back in 2007. Cloister Honey has received awards and […]

Dr. Bill Hilton, Jr. & Hilton Pond Center

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast. The show about anything and everything connected with nature. Debbie and Laurie, The Backyard Naturalists are absolutely thrilled for this weeks episode as they host and welcome Dr. Bill Hilton, Jr. to the show. Bill is the Executive Director of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History, which […]

The Botanical Gardens at UNCC with Dr. Jeff Gillman

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists podcast, the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature. In this week’s installment, Debbie and Laurie call Dr. Jeff Gillman, PHD to talk with him about the Botanical Gardens at UNCC. Jeff has a Master’s degree in Entomology and a Ph.D. in Horticulture from the University of Georgia. […]

Bird Migration with Tony

This week, The Backyard Naturalists welcome Tony Lombardino back to the show for a conversation around the topic of bird migration. If you’ll remember, Debbie and Laurie hosted Tony earlier this year for an installment on Bird Identification. Tony kicks off the episode explaining the ultimate and evolutionary reason why birds migrate. He […]

Pests with David

David Crowe returns to the show this week with a fun and entertain conversation about pests around you home. From the most destructive to the most harmful, he walks you through a few ideas and solutions to keep your home free of pesky (and expensive) creatures. David has worked at the Arctic National […]

Earth Day 2022

Earth Day 2022 is coming up Friday, April 23 and in this installment of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie offer you few facts, figures and statistics about Earth Day. They also review 27 inexpensive (and sometimes free) ways and methods for you to observe and celebrate the 52nd Earth Day. […]

Animal Myths with Monica

Monica Macoubrie with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission returns to The Backyard Naturalists podcast to share a few incredibly interesting (and a few fascinating) animal myths with us. Can owls really spin their head, all the way around? Will a porcupine shoot quills at you from thirty paces? Will you really […]

Native Plants with Lisa (Part 2)

Last week, The Backyard Naturalists kicked off a 2-part series on Native Plants with our, “go-to guru”, Lisa Tompkins of Carolina Heritage Nursery. Lisa, along with our hosts Debbie and Laurie, shared with us their thoughts and ideas around the benefits of including native plants in your natural wildlife habitat. They even […]

Native Plants with Lisa (Part 1)

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed having Dr. Carrie DeJaco, Ph.D. on the show for an episode about invasive plants. If you’ll remember, Carrie’s Facebook and website both offer comprehensive lists and detailed information on invasive plants and their impact on your natural habitat. This week, we thought we’d travel to the opposite […]

Bird Identification with Tony

Bird watchers and lovers of any level are in for a treat this week as Debbie and Laurie welcome bird expert Tony Lombardino to the show. Tony has a PhD in Neuroscience and studied how the brains of birds allowed them to sing and produce their songs in adulthood. He researched and studied […]

Owls on My Garage with David

A familiar sight for folks walking on the 4-Mile Creek Greenway in Matthews is the owl box, on the side of a house, near the boardwalk bridge. In this week’s episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie talk to the homeowner, wildlife biologist and fellow naturalist, David Crowe about attracting […]

Laurie Remembers Homesteading in Alaska

Laurie owns and operates our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to nature and wildlife, especially birds, bird seed, bird feeders, bird baths, nesting boxes, wind chimes, etc. Well, did you know, she spent about 12 years of her life, growing up as a homesteader […]

Animal Love with Monica

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and, in this episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, we’re talking about love, in the animal kingdom. Monica Macoubrie is a Wildlife Education Specialists with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and she shares some of the most informative (and sometimes hilarious) stories about animal love. […]

Invasive Plants with Dr. Carrie DeJaco, Ph.D.

The Backyard Naturalists are absolutely thrilled to feature Dr. Carrie, DeJaco, Ph.D. on this episode to have a conversation about invasive plants. Dr. DeJaco is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina. She also holds a B. A. and Masters Degree in Biology from the […]

The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count began in 1998 and quickly became one of The Backyard Naturalists favorite events and times of the year. Serving as a collaboration between the National Audubon Society and Cornell’s Ornithology Lab, the Great Backyard Bird Count is a community science project to collect data on wild birds, on […]

Hawks with Steve

Debbie and Laurie, The Backyard Naturalists, welcome Steve Hughes back to the show but, this time, they’re talking about hawks. The biggest and the smallest. What they eat. Where they live. What’s presents the biggest danger to hawks? Steve is a wealth of information, not only about hawks, but all birds pf […]

The Mailbag Episode

You’ve got questions and The Backyard Naturalists have answers! In our first “Mailbag Episode” Debbie and Laurie answer a few questions submitted by their listeners via social media and email. Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram. Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://wwww.thebirdfoodstore.com. A […]

Owls with Wildlife Educator Steve Hughes

When Debbie and Laurie were brainstorming about guests to have on The Backyard Naturalists podcast, Wildlife educator and naturalist Steve Hughes quickly rose to the top of the list. The bio on Steve’s website certainly summarizes Steve in that he’s “a native Charlottean who has spent his life in the outdoors. The experience […]

Tree Expert Ralph Ramsaur (Pt. 2)

Our tenth episode of The Backyard Naturalists featured tree expert, Ralph Ramsaur and there was so much to talk about, we felt we should continue the conversation in a second installment. You’ll remember, Ralph is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and currently serves as the Town of Matthews, NC Landscape Manager […]

Real or Fake? We’re talking Christmas Trees!

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us and we’ve officially kicked off the Christmas eason, The Backyard Naturalists are having a conversation about Christmas trees. In this episode, they weigh the benefits of both live and artificial trees then, offer facts, figures and a little trivia about the iconic holiday tradition such as . […]

More Snakes with Jay

One of the most listened to episodes of The Backyard Naturalists podcast is our initial conversation in our fourth episode with reptile and snake expert Jay Bell with Reptiles 101. Debbie and Laurie invited Jay back in the studio to talk more about his favorite reptilian creature. As a bonus in this episode, […]

Master Arborist, Ralph Ramsaur

When you begin the conversation around nature and wildlife, trees certainly rise to the top of the list of subjects. That’s why this week, The Backyard Naturalists decided to give Ralph Ramsaur a call, and start talking trees. Ralph is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and currently serves as the Town […]

Sustainable Gardening Practices

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie wrap up their series on certifying your wildlife habitat with the National Wildlife Federation with Sustainable Gardening Practices. As one of the five requirements of certification, sustainable gardening practices offer many benefits, not only to your wildlife habitat, but they can help […]

We’re Talkin’ about Pumpkins

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie take a break from their series on certifying your natural wildlife habitat to talk about pumpkins. They share a few interesting facts and figures about our favorite round, orange squash and tie the conversation back to the wildlife benefits of pumpkins. […]

Backyard Birds is a proud sponsor of The Backyard Naturalists Podcast

The Backyard Naturalists Podcast featuring Backyard Birds’ Laurie Horne Backyard Birds is proud to sponsor The Backyard Naturalist, a podcast geared toward nature lovers of all kinds, from beginners to those with more experience. Check out the latest podcasts

How to Keep Your Backyard Birds Happy, Healthy and Active!

The Ideal Diet for Most Song Birds in the Wild Make sure to feed your backyard birds the right mix of high fat, high protein, high quality seed like Sunflower, Safflower, Peanuts and Nyjer. These seeds average between 20% – 25% protein and 30 – 40% fat which gives your backyard birds the right mix […]

October is Bat Appreciation Month!

Bats! It may seem odd to honor an animal that is so widely despised, but as is often the case, the reputation of the bat says more about the folks who fear it than it does about the animal itself. One out of every 5 mammals is a bat! A long time ago, people used […]

Three Tips on the Selection and Placement for Your New Birdbath

Birds love water, and they need it to keep cool and to keep their feathers clean. You don’t need to buy a traditional birdbath. You can use any flat, wide container placed on a flower pot to substitute as a traditional birdbath. But setting up a real bird bath not only adds beauty to your […]

Enjoy Midsummer Activity in your Backyard!

By midsummer, birds have established their nesting territories and are busy raising their second or third batch of babies. We receive many calls this month about “injured” birds. In most cases, it is fledglings that have naturally left the nest or been pushed out of the nest by their bigger siblings. The best advice we can […]

Hummingbirds have arrived in North Carolina

Hummingbird Migration…The Great Hummingbird Voyage

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are eastern North America’s only breeding hummingbird. But in terms of area, this species occupies the largest breeding range of any North American hummingbird. They begin to appear in North Carolina during the warmer season with sightings as early as mid-March. While spending the cooler months in Central America, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds return to […]

Backyard Birds Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary

Backyard Birds is proud to be celebrating its 20th anniversary this month. Backyard Birds brings nature-loving consumers a unique in-store shopping experience, highlighting the joy and excitement of attracting wildlife for people of all ages with the finest quality seed and top brand feeders, bird houses, birdbaths and more. It is Laurie Horne’s passion for […]

Red-Shouldered Hawk Migration in North Carolina

The red-shouldered hawk occurs throughout the eastern United States, west to the eastern edge of the Great Plains. It also lives in southern Canada, northeastern Mexico and in western California. The red-shouldered hawk nests, overwinters, and migrates throughout North Carolina. It is most common in those counties with abundant bottomland and swamp forests. For this […]

Bird Friendly Coffee: Great for Birds and for People

Bird Friendly Coffee The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) has developed the only 100% organic and shade-grown coffee certification dedicated to fostering greater understanding, appreciation, and protection of bird migration: Bird Friendly®. No other bag guarantees that every bean is produced organically and under high-quality shade. This seal of approval ensures tropical “agroforests” are preserved and […]

Pollinator Plant Gardens – Why Does Pollination Matter?

Our pollinator garden-in-a-pot in front of Backyard Birds has gotten a lot of interest since we planted it. Each plant is native to this area and is beneficial to our pollinating animals such as birds, bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, or other animals, or by the wind. Why Does Pollination Matter? Worldwide, roughly 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, […]

What is the Butterfly Highway Project?

The Butterfly Highway is a statewide conservation initiative that aims to restore native pollinator habitats to areas impacted by urbanization, land use change and agriculture. From backyard pollinator “pit stops” to large-scale roadside habitat restoration, the project goal is to create a network of native flowering plants to support butterflies, bees, birds and other pollen […]

National Wildlife Federation Habitat Stewards Training

Learn How to Become a Habitat Steward Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) will host a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Stewards Training. This is a great opportunity for individuals interested in: Learning how to create certified wildlife habitats in different locations The value and benefits of native plants and the disadvantages of non-native invasive ones About our […]

Rain Barrel Sale for the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District

From now until the end of May, Backyard Birds is offering rain barrels from Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District. They’re available in two different sizes, are made locally of 20% recycled materials, come with the fittings and installation instructions, are offered at a discounted rate AND we’re going to make it easy by picking […]

Don’t Be A Bird Napper: What To Do If You Find A Baby Bird

Don’t be a bird napper! If a nest has fallen due to poor construction or the nest has blown down in a storm them make a “makeshift” nest. This can be out a variety of material. Rules to follow: The nest needs to have drainage, so the nest doesn’t fill with water and drown babies or […]

Spring Cleaning for Your Bird Houses

Even thought it’s still winter, there are signs that spring is coming! Take a look in your yard or go for a walk in a park or along a greenway and you’re likely to see signs that birds are thinking about finding nesting sites and making babies. I’ve seen bluebirds in and out of the […]

Native Plants are Great Additions to Your Wildlife Habitat

Native Plants are Great Additions to Your Wildlife Habitat Native Plants can provide food, shelter and places to raise young, as well as beauty to your yard. Planting native plants in your yard is an excellent way to increase wildlife habitat and help your local area. But what makes native plants so special? And which plants are “native,” […]

Great Backyard Bird Count

When you were a kid did you want to be a scientist? Here’s your chance to make your dreams come true!

Providing A Plentiful Bounty for Your Backyard Birds

Become the host with the most during the fall and spring seasons to attract more birds in your backyard! Just as birds adjust their behaviors as the seasons change, you too must adjust how you interact with birds if you want to enjoy the diversity of avian life.

Squirrels & Raccoons Invading Your Bird Baths and Bird Feeders?

Many of you are being challenged, (more so than usual) with squirrels and raccoons. They are hungry and thirsty so they are visiting bird feeders, hummingbird feeders, suet feeders and birdbaths! At Backyard Birds, we offer solutions to keep them out of your bird feeders. We carry several baffles to accommodate different poles. Also available […]

Help Our Pollinators!

The pollinators are in trouble! Pollinators are in a decline worldwide mostly due to habitat loss, invasive species and pesticides. Bees are the most important, but other pollinators that are also on the decline include butterflies, wasps, beetles and bats just to name a few.

What Birds Are In Your Backyard This Month?

Who’s in your backyard? The more common birds in this area include Bluebirds, Wrens, Cardinals, Gold Finches, House Finches, Robins, Downey and Red Bellied Woodpeckers. Please share your pictures and stories with us on Facebook if you have a “not so common” bird in your backyard.

Attracting Birds to Your Backyard in the Heat of Summer

Birds love water, and they need it to keep cool and to keep their feathers clean. You don’t need to buy a traditional bird bath. You can use any flat, wide container placed on a flower pot to substitute as a traditional bird bath. But setting up a real bird bath not only adds beauty […]

Do Your Part for the Great Backyard Bird Count

This year will commence the 18th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), to take place this weekend Feb. 13-16, 2015 – coinciding with Valentine’s Day. This annual event is an opportunity for birders, both beginners and experienced, to contribute to a research effort sponsored by the National Audubon Society. The GBBC is a joint project […]

Calling All Bird Lovers – Project FeederWatch

Migration is a complex and interesting phenomenon in the wild world. People often call us at Backyard Birds this time of year and ask, “Where are all of the birds?”

Millet is Good; Milo is Not

Follow These Tips on How to Clean Your Birdbath

A clean birdbath filled with fresh water will be the most attractive to birds, and knowing how to clean a birdbath properly and safely will allow birders to maintain backyard water sources easily.

Backyard Birding in Small Spaces

“With a little planning and some bird feeding basics from our experts you can attract birds to backyard—no matter where you live or how big your space.” Ken Keffer, Writer and Author with Birds & Blooms Magazine recently published a great article about Backyard Birding in Small Spaces that we thought our customers and followers would be very […]

No Backyard? No Problem!

Even if you live in an apartment building or simply don’t have a yard, you can still enjoy the birds. You’ll be relying on surrounding habitats, but with careful observation, you can spot birds. Here’s how: Window Feeders There are feeders you can put right on your windows with suction cups. I use a suction […]

Do Your Part by Helping Matthews Maintain Its Community Wildlife Habitat Status

Are you a wildlife lover? Are you a bird watcher? Do you love to see butterflies in your yard? Do you have a Matthews mailing address (28104, 28105 or 28106)? If you answered yes to any of these questions, YOU can be part of Matthews Naturally. In 2012, Matthews became the 4th community in North Carolina and the […]

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar versus Store Bought Brands

Hummingbirds have a sugar-centric lifestyle and eat a variety of different things like flower nectar, honey, tree sap, and ripened fruit juices, as well as insects for a source of protein. The food they are most attracted to in many birders’ backyards is a basic recipe that approximates the natural sucrose content of top nectar-producing […]

What’s In Your Backyard Photo Contest

Visit our Facebook page and open the “What’s In Your Backyard” Album. Click the “Like” button for your favorite photo between now and April 15, 2014, of photos submitted by some of our birding customers. Each “Like” counts as a vote for the photo contest. The Photo with the most “Likes” on April 16, 2014, will be […]

Make A Little Room in Your Backyard

The Brown-headed Nuthatch, a southern bird born and bred, needs your help to find a good home. They’re losing their pristine pine homes due to urbanization and deforestation. These darlin’, squeaky birds need more nest boxes today so we can enjoy them for generations to come. These Birds Need Your Help Brown-headed Nuthatches are losing […]

Squirrels! Fun to Watch but Not When They Are Raiding Your Bird Feeders

Without a doubt, squirrels can be a major problem when it comes to wild bird feeding. Any bird feeders placed on a squirrel proof bird feeder pole are squirrel proofed by the pole; a bird feeder hung on a tree or suspended wire can also be made squirrel proof with the right design and location; […]

February is National Bird-Feeding Month

This month is one of the most difficult months for wild birds. During National Bird Feeding Month we encourage people to provide food, water, and shelter to help wild birds survive. While many of the top ten feeder birds can be found year round, others may only visit during spring and fall migration or during the […]

Why Count Birds?

Source: www.thebirdsource.org Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document and understand the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time. Scientists use the […]

The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event […]

A Place to Rest and Stay Warm

Give birds a dry place to rest: Now may be a good time to investigate adding a nesting box or roost to your backyard. In addition to providing a safe, comfortable place for the birds to raise their young, these houses can keep birds out of the wind and rain our winter weather brings. We […]

Winter Bird Feeders

To attract the greatest number of species in the winter, it is important to have a number of different birdfeeders available. While easy bird feeders such as hopper and platform designs are always popular, the feeders you use during the winter should have several characteristics in common. Keep birds dry while they dine:Feeders will be […]

MAY ALL THE WONDERS OF NATURE BRIGHTEN YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON AND NEW YEAR

Whooooo Will Carolina Raptor Center Bring for a Visit?

We are thrilled to welcome Carolina Raptor Center to our store this Saturday, October 26th from 11:00am until 3:00pm. They’ll be introducing two beautiful birds of prey, the species of which will be a surprise. Will it be an owl? A hawk? A falcon? An eagle? Or even a vulture? The Carolina Raptor Center […]

October Special: Free Suet Log Feeder With Purchase!

Come in and purchase two packs of suet logs and receive a suet log feeder (handmade locally) absolutely free! The woodpeckers, wrens, and nuthatches love them! Our on going suet promotion is buy 5 and get 1 free. We carry 15 to 20 different assortments so you are sure to please everyone in your backyard!

Holiday Extravaganza Begins Friday, September 27th!

Please come join our special Holiday Extravaganza this Friday, September 27th through Sunday, September 29th! We’ll help you get into the spirit with holiday music and yummy refreshments while showcasing wonderful gift items you can pre-order for Christmas. You’ll be the first to view our new in-stock Christmas & Winter items including ornaments, flags, mail […]

Millet Is Good; Milo is Bad

Fall will bring some interesting bird sightings, including the return of the junco. To make your yard more appealing, increase the amount of millet you already feed or add a little white millet for lots of ground-feeders. Red Millet Millet comes in two types, the red and white varieties. Birds seem to favor the white […]

September Sale – BIRDBATHS 15% OFF!

September is a great month to begin providing extra water for all of the migrating birds (and your non-migratory birds will appreciate it too!). Especially since the monsoons we’ve been having seem to be taking a breather. Come on in and check out our beautiful birdbaths of various sizes, colors and designs and receive 15% […]

Celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day – Saturday, September 7th

International Vulture Awareness Day is not only a day to acknowledge and celebrate the critical role scavenging vultures play in preventing the spread of disease by consuming bacteria-infested carrion. It is also a day to become more aware of their plight. Around the world, vultures are facing hazards in the wild and their numbers are […]

Hummingbird Feeder Sale and Extended Hours! Friday, August 30th

Adult hummingbirds will begin to migrate soon. To encourage everyone to help give them an extra energy boost, we are having a special sale on our hummingbird feeders. All of our decorative glass feeders will be 20% off! All other types of hummingbird feeders will be 15% off! Extended hours Friday, August 30th only – 10:00am until […]

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue and “Friends” Are Visiting Backyard Birds on Saturday 8/24!

Please come by our store between 11:00am and 2:00pm on Saturday, August 24th, for a special event with your local Carolina Waterfowl Rescue! CWR provides rescue and rehabilitation for sick, injured, and orphaned birds, as well as increases public awareness and appreciation for animals. You will meet two residents of the rescue – stunning Cassie […]

Finch Eye Disease

We have been getting reports in the area of House Finches with “finch eye disease” or conjunctivitis. Infected birds have red, swollen, runny, or crusty eyes; in extreme cases the eyes become swollen shut or crusted over, and the birds become essentially blind. Birds in this condition obviously have trouble feeding. You might see them […]

New Florida Dancing Birds Have Arrived!

New colors of these birds will not last long!

GREAT GIFTS FOR DAD!

We offer a lot of great gifts for Dad. Choose from an assortment of Vortex Binoculars great for bird watching. Just in this week several new bird baths made right here in North Carolina. Thinking about new feeders? We offer a huge assortment of platform, tube, squirrel resistant, fly through and thistle feeders from great […]

Have you heard about the new Frog Log?

My neighbors, Jeff & Lisa purchased a new device called a frog log to help save small animals that would constantly get in their pool and drown. After just a few days they reported back that this device really works! Once a frog, mouse, or other animal falls into a pool, they instinctively swim toward the pool wall […]

New Squirrel Buster Standard Raises The Standard!

The new Squirrel Buster Standard raises the standard in everything a wild bird feeder should be. Here’s why: Award-winning Squirrel Buster technology is truly squirrel-proof. Over 1 million very happy customers have confirmed it.; Patented weight adjustable closing mechanism shuts out squirrels as well as some heavier undesirable birds.; Seed Saver Technology eliminates seed losses […]

Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat

Landscaping for wildlife can be as easy as planting a couple of bushes, or as complex as your gardening interest will carry you. The four essential ingredients are: food, water, shelter and places to raise young. Start by examining what your yard already provides. Then introduce new elements to supplement and enhance this site for wildlife. […]

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