In early November, we blogged about at least five gulls in the San Francisco area with cut beer cans around their necks. Though the person responsible for placing the collars is still at large, wildlife rescue workers have successfully cut off three of the rings, the last of which took place this past . . . → Read More: Update: Beer Collars Removed from Three Gulls]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/204/update-beer-collars-removed-from-three-gulls/ You’ve done it—you created the perfect outdoor oasis. Now lilting birdsongs are your alarm clock; your double-decker birdhouse seldom has a peak-season vacancy; and “the restaurant”—otherwise known as the feeding station—practically requires a reservation. Things couldn’t be better. Then disaster strikes: a cat with a tuft of feathers dangling from its mouth. How can . . . → Read More: Lock Up Your Cats! Do It For The Birds]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/202/lock-up-your-cats-do-it-for-the-birds/ Cedar waxwing. Image by Ingrid Taylar, Wikimedia Commons. Between now and January 5, 2011, birders across the country and North America will get out their binocs (if you need a pair, check out this handy guide we ran last year), open their guides books, and start tallying up the birds. It’s not as simple . . . → Read More: On Your Mark, Get Set, Count…]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/206/on-your-mark-get-set-count%e2%80%a6cbc-starts-today/ Australia is home to over 800 species of birds from honeyeaters to hawks, from spoonbills to cockatoos. It is also home to different species of bird lovers, some of whom take their interest to the extreme. These enthusiasts are known as “twitchers”.

Every year, an event takes place Australia-wide that brings twitchers together to . . . → Read More: Chasing Birds]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/182/chasing-birds/ Photo: anyjazz65, Wikimedia Commons Senior editor Alisa Opar recently offered up the five best bird feeders for wintertime.

But it’s not enough to set your feeder and forget it. You need to clean it out, or you risk inadvertently causing the birds that visit to get sick. The same goes for birdbaths. The Grand . . . → Read More: 3 tips to Keep Bird Feeder Disease-Free]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/167/3-ways-to-keep-your-feeder-disease-free-for-birds/ Miniature video camera for wildlife viewing. Connects to the television.

Real-time, color video. Infrared night vision. Built in microphone. Weather shield allows outdoor use.

The Hawk Eye Nature Cam is a miniature television camera that brings the great-out-of-doors right into the living room!

Also has a 6 volt transformer and 100 ft of . . . → Read More: Hawk Eye Nature Cam Camera]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/178/hawk-eye-nature-cam-camera/ Photo by Kevin Collins

Don Quixote might have been a tad afeared of California’s Altamont Pass. As you approach from the east on Interstate 580, over 4,000 cagy windmills  stand ready on the bright green, then dry rolling hills that hold this gateway to the Bay Area. Most of the turbines are old, . . . → Read More: A Win for Birds and Windmills]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/165/a-win-for-birds-and-windmills/ This Hammers wide-angle binocular 8×40 has longer eye relief (distance from binocular eyepieces to user’s eyes) and gives a comfortable view without image blackout for people wearing eyeglass or not as well. Built with high quality porro prisms and multi-coated objective lens, the binocular delivers true color rendition, bright sharp definition and flare-free viewing. . . . → Read More: Hammers Long Eye Relief Birdwatching Binocular 8×40 Wide Angle]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/176/hammers-long-eye-relief-birdwatching-binocular-8x40-wide-angle/

Courtesy FWS

Here’s fodder for an age-old, but hopefully not old-news, endangered species conversation:

In southern Washington, a timber company that owns a 45,000 swath of forest within reach of spotted owl nest sites–a holding  it intends to harvest on a relatively generous 60-year rotation–has committed to a “safe harbor” agreement with the U.S. . . . → Read More: Spotty Protection?]]> http://backyardbirdguide.com/163/spotty-protection/ Perfect for bird watching, sports and boating our 8X Waterproof Binoculars. These lightweight binoculars feature a durable aluminum body and waterproof construction to make them ideal for sporting events, outdoor activities and more.

The powerful 8X magnification brings whatever you’re viewing into close, sharp focus, too. The 45mm objective lens delivers sharp, bright images.