June 2019

Publications
Watching Backyard Birds

Current Issue: June 2019

This issue of WBB brings you two stories about an often-overlooked but common backyard bird of the East: the chimney swift. Especially common in cities, towns, and suburbs, this species twitters as it flies. Columnist Julie Zickefoose recalls the summer she found Carolina wren nests on her house, in her garage, and at numerous other locations on her property. She counted 26 fledgling wrens that summer! Also, our hairiest columnist answers reader questions about feeding birds popcorn, offering pet fur to nesting birds, and how to wean hummingbirds from a nectar feeder in anticipation of moving. Find all this and more in the June issue of WBB!

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Issue Features

Species Profile: The Best Way to See Chimney Swifts by W. Todd Parker

Window on Another World by Deborah Schwabach

Watcher at the Window: Wren Wranch by Julie Zickefoose

Readers Write: The Mouse-eared House Finch by Sharon Gorman

My Backyard: Witness to Northern Cardinal Parenting by Al Mason

Nandina Berries Kill Birds by Jackie Berkebile

Ask Birdsquatch

Short Stories from Al by Al Batt

Is there any bird more difficult to observe than the chimney swift? If you think about it, when was the last time you saw a chimney swift sitting still at close range? If you answered never, you are probably not alone.

Departments

Note from WBB: In Memory of Bill Thompson, III
Bird Bites: Plant a Bird Feeder and Discouraging Starlings from Feeders

With deep sadness we announce the passing of WBB's team captain, Bill Thompson, III. BT3 was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer on December 16, 2018, and died March 25 at the age of 57.