April 20, 2018

Many spring migrants have been spotted in our area lately.  Some will take up residence here and others will be just passing through.  Those already seen are Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and Barn Swallows.  The next few weeks through May will be some of the best birding for the year.  Enjoy!

January 22, 2018

Bald Eagles can be seen just about anytime in NWA, but during the winter, they are more abundant.  They have been spotted in Bella Vista hanging around the lakes (especially Loch Lomond) and along the Bella Vista Bypass corridor.  I spotted one along Highlands Blvd. the other day while driving to the store.  One thing for sure, there is no other bird that looks like them...not even close.  You are looking for white on both ends with a dark body.  If you see one soaring, also note the stretched out wings that will be held nearly level.  In contrast, Vultures soar with their wings in more of a V-shape (called a dihedral), and hawks have markings on the undersides of their bodies and wings, which pretty much exclude them from looking like Eagles even at a distance. 

November 07, 2017

In the middle of the night and into the morning, Snow Geese have been seen (but mostly just heard) flying through NWA. I heard them two nights ago at 2:30am and again 4:00am. I had the window cracked open a bit and woke to their sound.

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Snow Geese will flock by the thousands and migrate in huge V-shaped formations at this time of year.  It's a sight (or song) to behold!

October 07, 2017

For the next couple of weeks, Blue Jays will be migrating through our area from the north. To me there is nothing more spectacular than a Blue Jay sporting fresh feathers. The blue does not come from pigment inside the feather, but is generated by light bouncing off the feather barbules. When their feathers wear, it dulls the color. But when fresh, like right after fall molt, the blue is as bright as it will ever be. You can entice these beauties to your feeders with whole peanuts, which of course, we have in the store.  Peanuts! Get your peanuts!

September 15, 2017

Many people will notice a spike in the number of hummingbirds at their feeders about now.  This normal for this time of year in NWA and happens because the northern birds have started to migrate through, but our residents have not yet begun to leave.  Most hummers will only be around for another 2-3 weeks, so enjoy them while they are still here!

August 25, 2017

The Bluebird Shed has been open less than 4 weeks and we will soon have our 100th customer.  Will it be you?  

August 21, 2017

This video is a broadcast of Bella Vista and Beyond that aired on August 2, just one day after we opened the store.  In it we discuss the store, how it came to be, our products, and some great places to see birds. Somehow the video and the audio mix got mis-aligned at the station, but please don't let that detract from the content.  Enjoy!

August 14, 2017

Our official ribbon cutting ceremony was this past Friday.  Several people from the Bella Vista Business Association Attended (not pictured). Thank you everyone for supporting us during our "soft" opening and look for an article about our store in the Weekly Vista this Wednesday!

August 06, 2017

This is the time of year when young birds (juveniles) start to molt into their adult-like plumage. If you look closely, you may see a few birds that you recognize at your feeders that just don't look quite right.

It is easiest to see in the blackbird family, especially in Common Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds. In blackbirds, the older feathers of young birds will be brown, while the newer adult feathers will be black. Red-wing males are especially interesting as they obtain their characteristic red-wing epaulette and the wing coverts will be jet black, but their flight feathers may be both black and brown for couple of weeks.

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Watch out for this at your feeders to see if you can spot any two-toned birds!

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August 01, 2017

It's been a lot of work getting all of the details together to open the store, but opening day is finally here!  Come celebrate with us and share your favorite bird stories with our staff.