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The Zen Birdfeeder
Nancy Castillo is the co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited - Saratoga Springs NY.
Interests: - photography and digiscoping - podcasts - traveling - ukulele (beginner) - the chicago cubs - food with coconut in it - panfishing - learning new things
Recent Activity
Art at New Orlean's City Park
Posted yesterday at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Do You Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful?
Posted 3 days ago at The Zen Birdfeeder
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A Squirrel Walked into a Cemetery
Posted 6 days ago at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Ellen - they do! Maybe fledge tomorrow (Thursday)...we'll see.
Cindy - thanks for the pin and the comment. You'll enjoy feeding mealworms!
Commented 7 days ago on Seven Little Chickadees...About Ready to Go! at The Zen Birdfeeder
Seven Little Chickadees...About Ready to Go!
I took my last NestWatch peek into the box in back of my house, and these seven little Black-capped Chickadees are just 2-3 days from leaving the nest. In my last couple checks, I had only seen 6 heads, but now that they all have their namesake black caps, it's clear that all 7 eggs have hatc...
Barbara - Thanks so much for your nice comments. And you're lucky to be near nesting swallows - what amazing birds they are!
Ellen - thanks!
Commented 7 days ago on Fledgling Hairy Woodpecker Takes Her First Bath at The Zen Birdfeeder
Fledgling Hairy Woodpecker Takes Her First Bath
I don't think she really knew where she was landing, but this little girl Hairy Woodpecker got her first bath at our solar fountain this morning. She is just learning the ropes out in the world. We were alerted to her presence by the scratching of her claws against the metal of our APS baffl...
Erin, thanks for asking. The birds never become dependent on our feeding stations - they are supplemental food sources.
The birds will do best if you do remove the feeders and let them disperse - that will help the outbreak not spread further.
I know it's tough to do, but it's only temporary and it's best for the birds. Good luck!
Commented 7 days ago on If You're Seeing Sick or Dying Pine Siskins at The Zen Birdfeeder
If You're Seeing Sick or Dying Pine Siskins
This is a Guest Post by Dan Gleason, Instructor of Ornithology, University of Oregon and Co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited - Eugene, OR (opening April 2013) During winter finch irruption years like we're experiencing right now, we unfortunately start to see birds that are obviously sick or find ...
Seven Little Chickadees...About Ready to Go!
Posted Jun 12, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Fledgling Hairy Woodpecker Takes Her First Bath
Posted Jun 10, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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NG, if you're trying to make us all jealous with reports of 60 Evening Grosbeaks, you're succeeding! We in the east are jealous of your bounty. Thanks for the report and for taking care of those grosbeaks!
Commented Jun 8, 2013 on Evening Grosbeak - A "Common Bird in Decline" at The Zen Birdfeeder
Evening Grosbeak - A "Common Bird in Decline"
Last week, I saw seven Evening Grosbeaks at my feeders, which is the largest group I've seen at my upstate NY feeders in 16 years of feeding. In all those years, if I saw 3-4 birds, it was significant. Two more visited our feeders today. Wanda, a Wild Birds Unlimited customer, recently sent...
Thanks Peg and Ellen!
Commented Jun 8, 2013 on Close Bird Encounters Week: Blue Jay vs. Rose-breasted Grosbeak at The Zen Birdfeeder
Close Bird Encounters Week: Blue Jay vs. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak was there first, but in flew a Blue Jay. Here's what happened. At least in this encounter, it's Blue Jay 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 0.
Close Bird Encounters Week: I Just Want Some Privacy, Please!
Posted Jun 7, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Thanks Margaret!
Commented Jun 6, 2013 on Close Bird Encounters Week: Blue Jay vs. Rose-breasted Grosbeak at The Zen Birdfeeder
Close Bird Encounters Week: Blue Jay vs. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak was there first, but in flew a Blue Jay. Here's what happened. At least in this encounter, it's Blue Jay 1, Rose-breasted Grosbeak 0.
Sue, no it's a chickadee box that has a smaller opening than bluebirds use (1-1/8" versus 1-1/2"). The port is protected by a piece of slate.
Margaret, good protective parents master the "stink eye"!
Ellen, so hard to not do!
Commented Jun 6, 2013 on An Attentive Chickadee Dad at The Zen Birdfeeder
An Attentive Chickadee Dad
I guess I was a little worried about this nestbox full of Black-capped Chickadee eggs. I placed the box out on May 6th and within 3 days, portions of a nest had been built. Within 12 days of putting it out, it had 6 eggs in it. The nest concerned me though. It was a very shallow nest with ...
Close Bird Encounters Week: Blue Jay vs. Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Posted Jun 5, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Less than Ideal Weather for Nests Full of Chickadees
Posted Jun 3, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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An Attentive Chickadee Dad
Posted May 31, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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FAQ - Can I Put Dryer Lint Out for the Birds?
Posted May 29, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Angy, good job keeping the food fresh and feeder clean. First thing we always recommend - use clear nectar if you aren't already. Second thing, try moving the feeder slightly. Sometimes it doesn't take a lot either. Good luck and let us know.
Commented May 28, 2013 on Top 5 Reasons Why Birds Stop Visiting Your Feeders at The Zen Birdfeeder
Top 5 Reasons Why Birds Stop Visiting Your Feeders
Bird activity at the feeders sure has slowed down over the last week or so. No change in the food or the location of the feeders, and no significant change in the weather. So what is it? Why do birds stop coming to your feeders? 1) Is the food still fresh? Sorry folks - birdfood doesn't ...
Ellen, unfortunately, when the young fledge, the parents take the happy family away from the immediate nesting grounds. So it's my neighbors who will really benefit, but it's so much fun nonetheless!
Commented May 27, 2013 on Meet the Moms at The Zen Birdfeeder
Meet the Moms
For the first time ever, our property is hosting three nestboxes filled with Black-capped Chickadee eggs! We've had two boxes fledge young before, so I pushed my luck and erected two more boxes this year, all within the front third of our 3 acre lot. The egg-laying extravaganza started the seco...
Thanks everyone!
Commented May 27, 2013 on My Living Rhododendron at The Zen Birdfeeder
My Living Rhododendron
When you walk near my rhododendron when it is in full bloom, you notice, "IT'S ALIVE!!" Alive with American Bumble Bees! At any one time, there are dozens of these bees moving from flower to flower, gathering pollen. They seem unconcerned about my presence only 3 feet away. They are...
Robin and Deanna, Thanks so much for your encouraging comments! They are really appreciated!
Commented May 27, 2013 on Now That's a Mouthful!! at The Zen Birdfeeder
Now That's a Mouthful!!
During Black-capped Chickadee nesting season (April - July), you can tell alot about what's going on in their lives by what they're carrying in their beak. Here's a guide to some of the stuff you might see them carrying and what it might mean. WOOD CHIPS If you see a chickadee with a beak-fu...
Meet the Moms
Posted May 27, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Sexing a Chickadee (It's not what you think)
Posted May 23, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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My Living Rhododendron
Posted May 21, 2013 at The Zen Birdfeeder
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Stone Maven - I'm glad your cat had improved health later in its life but I doubt your results are typical. Study after study after study PROVES WITHOUT A DOUBT: indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats. Thank you for sharing your story.
Commented May 17, 2013 on Top 5 Reasons Why Birds Stop Visiting Your Feeders at The Zen Birdfeeder
Top 5 Reasons Why Birds Stop Visiting Your Feeders
Bird activity at the feeders sure has slowed down over the last week or so. No change in the food or the location of the feeders, and no significant change in the weather. So what is it? Why do birds stop coming to your feeders? 1) Is the food still fresh? Sorry folks - birdfood doesn't ...
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