Mother’s Day is coming soon! Did you ever think of helping our mother birds as they begin to raise their young? Nesting season is underway and will continue through the mid-summer months. We can help momma birds by supplying them with fresh seed, and water to stay hydrated.

Egg shells can also be offered to help replenish calcium in breeding females. You will want to sterilize the shells to ensure they aren’t contaminated with bacteria. Break them in half, rinse, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes. You don’t want them to turn brown. When they’ve cooled, simply break them into pieces, about the size of a sunflower seed, and add to their seed or sprinkle them on a tray or platform feeder.

Here are some fun facts about bird behaviour during nesting season.

• Did you know that Brown-headed Cowbirds choose a host and lay their eggs there? It’s been noted that they have laid their eggs in nests of 247 different species!
• Females are usually in charge of selecting the nest location.
• Orioles weave intricate nests made of bark strips and plant fibre and line the inside with soft feathers and animal fur. Their nests are 4 inches deep.
• Female hummingbirds do all the work, building their nest, incubating the eggs and feeding the young. Hummingbird nestlings stay in the nest longer than other species, 20-28 days. When they fledge from the nest they’re quite independent and don’t depend on their mom like other species.

We have some great gifts for the moms in our families too! You can choose from stylish UV protected sun hats, soothing hand and body lotions, and fragrant candles.

If your mom loves nature inspired jewellery, we have an amazing selection of earrings to choose from. Perhaps a genuine crystal suncatcher would brighten up her room! New tea towels for the kitchen, including the ‘Queen Bee’, … just to show who’s in charge. Does she enjoy the challenge of a puzzle? Come in and browse through our high quality nature-themed choices ranging from 300 to 1,000 pieces. Maybe a clock with authentic bird songs on the hour, don’t worry, they’re light sensitive so they won’t wake you up at night. So many gift ideas for you to choose from! Please visit one of our locations, our team members would be happy to help you:)

Happy Mother’s Day, and Happy Birding,

Jane Paradis

Urban Nature Store Brand Ambassador