Aug 29, 2013

'Chipping' calls a sign that fall warblers are passing through

This past Sunday I heard the strong "chipping" call notes of a warbler in the backyar...

Aug 22, 2013

Take a spotting scope when you go birding at Willow Lake

When I lead a bird walk, I always wonder how productive it will be. Will we see a goo...

Aug 15, 2013

Bird-watching can be as easy as stepping outdoors

While in Sierra Vista for the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival, I was able...

Aug 8, 2013

Owling in the Huachucas

Last Wednesday, my wife and I drove down to Sierra Vista to be binocular vendors for ...

Aug 1, 2013

Blue grosbeak song lifts spirits

This past Saturday I led a Jay's Bird Barn (now The Lookout)- sponsored bird walk to ...

Jul 25, 2013

Wash out your bird feeders, especially after rainstorms

With all of the rain we have had recently, it is time to check your seed feeders for ...

Jul 18, 2013

Hummingbird Festival is coming to Sedona Aug. 2-4

Few wild bird species capture the imagination and provide as much enjoyment - even e...

Jul 11, 2013

How fast do birds fly?

Have you ever wondered how fast birds fly? I had a unique experience this past Su...

Jul 4, 2013

Birds get creative when nesting in urban setting

Just over a week ago, I was parking the seed truck behind the new Beall's Outlet store...

Jun 27, 2013

Goldfinch numbers - are they up, or are they down?

As the owner of a backyard wild bird store, I have a lot of interesting conversations...

May 15, 2013

A birder's-eye view of local backyard activity

Spring is a very busy time in the bird world. Migration is still underway for many sp...

May 9, 2013

Urban environments aids in range expansion of wild bird

The hobby of bird watching challenges participants to be mindful of the natural world...

May 1, 2013

Great birding in the Verde Valley

This past week I spent Wednesday through Saturday at Dead Horse Ranch State Park part...

Apr 17, 2013

Birds and birding opportunities abound

Last week I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker for the Red Cliffs Audubon ch...

Apr 10, 2013

Local bird housing starts are up

In last week's column, I mentioned that I have an Anna's Hummingbird nesting in an al...

Apr 3, 2013

Finding roadrunners in the desert is not as easy as in the cartoons

Last week I had the opportunity to lead a week- long bird watching trip in Wickenburg...

Mar 27, 2013

Looking for new birds? Try visiting a new area

This past week I had the opportunity to spend a few days in San Diego over the spring...

Mar 13, 2013

The Rufous are coming!

Last week, I received a phone call, an email, and a personal visit in the store from ...

Mar 6, 2013

New birds on the beautiful island of Maui

After spending several days with my sister in Oahu, Gayla and I flew over to Maui for...

Feb 27, 2013

Hawaii is a paradise - especially for birders

Aloha from beautiful Maui! By the time you read this I will already be back in Presco...

Feb 20, 2013

Some surprises in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count

This past weekend was the annual Great Backyard Bird Count sponsored by the Cornell L...

Feb 13, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day to all lovebirds

Happy Valentine's Day! A customer visited Jay's Bird Barn (now The Lookout) earlier t...

Feb 12, 2013

Attracting a wider variety of birds to your yard

Customers frequently ask how they can attract a wider variety of birds to their yard....

Feb 6, 2013

Birding at Fain Park is exhilarating

Last Saturday I led a bird walk to Fain Park in Prescott Valley. At the beginning, it...