Annie Krug

While this year, March 20th is the official start date for spring, winter still has an icy grip on many parts of the country. Snowy, rainy conditions and cold temperatures in March tax wild birds, who find it hard to find natural food sources to replete their energy resources. Plus, many don’t fill their bird feeders until springtime, even though wild bird feeding should be a year-round venture—especially in winter, when birds need it most. Here’s why March is a brutal month for wild birds, a...

"A Springtime Guide to Dried Herbs" article

Has your bird feeder all of a sudden become a hotbed of activity? Are you seeing colorful new varieties of birds in your yard? Is your garden full of the flurry of wild birds? If you’re noticing that your backyard birds are more active this time of year than usual, you’re not imagining things. Here’s why February is a prime time to go backyard birding—and how you can help support your local feathered friends.

As Valentine’s Day rolls around, it’s the perfect time to discuss feelings. But not our feelings—birds’ feelings. Do they even have feelings? And, if so, how do they express them? Here’s what we know.

There are more than 60 species of eagles in the world. Only two are found in North America, and one of those is the Bald Eagle. A year-round Big Bear Lake resident, the Bald Eagle has long been an emblem of national fortitude and freedom. But when it comes to this majestic bird of prey, there is more than meets the eye. Here are ten facts you may be surprised to learn about Bald Eagles:

While winter is a welcome season for some, it can be challenging one for others. Even those who love all of the joys of the cold season can find that their spirits dip due to shorter days, less sunshine, and the reminder of loved ones long past. Seasonal Deficit Disorder (SAD)*, a depressive condition linked to the winter months, affects an estimated 10 million Americans. If you include yourself in this number, you’re not alone. And you might just find some comfort in the unlikeliest of place...

Today’s Chirp “hatched” in November of 2018, and as we’ve recently celebrated our 4th year and approach the end of the calendar year, it’s a good time for reflection. Most of all, we can’t help but be grateful. What started as a pop-up tent at a local farmer’s market has become so much more. Chirp is a place where people come together to learn and give, supporting wild birds and each other. Our aim has been to honor nature using wild birds as inspiration. And as we looked back on our results,...

Winter is a time of reflection, but for some it can also be a lonely time. Connecting with nature is proven to reduce feelings of loneliness and boost overall wellbeing. One way to connect with nature is to become friends with the wild birds in your area. No, you don’t need to be Dr. Doolittle to establish a surprisingly satisfying relationship with birds that benefit you both. Here’s the why and how of befriending birds.

You know the image: a white dove in mid flight, often with a piece of olive branch in its beak or clutched in its claws. But how did this image of a dove become the international symbol of peace? We’ll discuss the fascinating history behind the symbolism, and more interesting facts about these beautiful birds.

Article in Winter 2022 issue of quarterly magazine.

Each of us will leave a legacy. What will yours be? The truth is, what you’re teaching your kids or grandkids right now will become your legacy. And what our children learn about the world and their role in it now will become their future. That’s why teaching your kids to care about stewardship is so critical. Here’s are six ways to teach good stewardship to the young ones in your life.

Some say that money makes the world go round, but a European study points to a different catalyst: birds. In fact, birds and happiness are so closely linked that, according to the study, the more diversity of bird species surrounding a person, the happier they are. Researchers found that birds are so powerful as mood boosters that their effect is equal to an increase in income. But as wild bird enthusiasts and nature lovers, are we really that surprised? Let’s take a look at why birds make us...

You know the fear. It keeps you or your loved one from venturing out for a day hike, camping, or engaging in some other nature-focused activity. In fact, fear of nature—or biophobia, defined as having anxiety or a phobia about one or more aspects of the natural world, such as wildlife—is uncomfortably common. Author Richard Louv described this growing trend among young people in his book Last Child in the Woods. And adults are not immune to it: we spend an average of 93% of our lives inside b...

As part of our ecosystem, rodents have a key role as seed spreaders, soil aerators, and part of the food chain for larger animals. If you’re an animal lover (as most of Chirp readers are), you likely appreciate the rodent’s role in nature, but you still may not want them as houseguests. What are your options? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the risks and consequences of using rodenticides (rat poison), how to store and use them properly if we are going to use them, and what poison-free alter...

Flying south for the winter is what we may think of when someone says “migration.” But the truth is, most birds engage in one or more of several migration patterns in their lifetime. And some don’t migrate at all. Let’s go through the reasons and ways birds migrate.