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Working With Wild Birds: A Conversation with Falconer Kenny Elvin

IN-Depth — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:49:41 +0000

Working With Wild Birds: A Conversation with Falconer Kenny Elvin [Photo: Kenny on the job with his helper, Gauge, the Anatum Peregrine] Here at the Los Gatos Birdwatcher, we spend a lot of time watching and celebrating birds. But there’s another, lesser-known way humans interact with birds—working alongside them. We spoke recently with Kenny Elvin […]

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Seeing More Cooper’s Hawks in Your Neighborhood?

Melvin — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 02:53:34 +0000

Seeing More Cooper’s Hawks in Your Neighborhood? If it seems like Cooper’s Hawks are showing up in your yard more often lately, you’re not imagining things. We’ve been hearing from many customers across the South Bay who have been seeing these raptors perched on fences, roofs, and branches or gliding through their neighborhoods. Late spring […]

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Spring Migration in the Bay Area: Backyard Birds to Know

Melvin — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:00:42 +0000

Oriole at feeder by Tony Woo In April, we can find some of our most exciting spring arrivals. Each of these birds has traveled from wintering grounds in Mexico or Central America—with more on the way. Allen’s Hummingbird – A flash of copper. They prefer coastal habitats Black-headed Grosbeak – They come to seed feeders and […]

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Why Birds Are Good for Your Brain and Mental Wellness

Melvin — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 03:04:23 +0000

The world feels noisy. Our attention is pulled in every direction. And yet step outside, even for a few minutes and something shifts. A chickadee calls. A hummingbird zips past. A finch lands at the feeder. Your breathing slows. Your shoulders drop. You feel better. This isn’t just a feeling. It’s biology. [Photo: Mockingbird singing […]

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What Is an Egg? Facts About Birds, Nature, and New Life

Melvin — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:44:29 +0000

A Tiny Miracle of Engineering At the Los Gatos Birdwatcher, we spend our time talking with customers about backyard birds, wild bird feeding, and the joy of birdwatching in Los Gatos and beyond. But behind every chickadee, hummingbird, or grosbeak you see at your feeder begins something extraordinary: an egg. A bird’s egg is one […]

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Why Hot Pepper Bird Food Is Popular with Backyard Birders

Melvin — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:09:22 +0000

One of the most common questions we hear in the store is, “Won’t hot pepper bird seed burn the birds’ mouths?” The short answer is: No. Birds can’t taste the heat from hot peppers at all. And that’s exactly why hot pepper–treated bird seed and suet work so well. The Science: Birds vs. Mammals The […]

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Black Squirrels: Variation of the Eastern Gray Squirrel in Los Gatos

Melvin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 23:26:32 +0000

If you’ve recently spotted a black squirrel in your yard or neighborhood and thought, “What is that species?” you’re not alone. We’ve had many customers asking about these squirrels and why they seem to be showing up more often around Los Gatos. The short answer is they’ve been here for decades and love suburban environments.. […]

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Winter Birds: What Am I Seeing in My Yard Right Now?

Melvin — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 03:08:14 +0000

Yellow-rumped Warbler by Tony Woo Winter here in the South Bay is an exciting time for birdwatching. While some species head south, many others arrive from more northern latitudes and altitudes, joining our year-round residents. Whether you’re watching from your backyard, visiting local open spaces, or strolling through your neighborhood, winter offers plenty of opportunities […]

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Cranes and Conservation: What You Might Not Know about Sandhill Cranes in California

Melvin — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000

Each autumn, as the seasons change and the snow starts to fall in the far north, a trumpet-like call can be heard for miles across California’s Central Valley–it’s the call of the Sandhill Cranes as they arrive by the thousands. These ancient and elegant birds have captured the hearts of bird lovers, especially Lisa Myers, […]

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The Complete History of the Christmas Bird Count

Lisa Villasenor — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:55:15 +0000

From Shotguns to Spotting Scopes: Dec 14, 2025 –Jan 5, 2026. Did you know the most important bird census in the world began as an alternative to a bird-killing competition? Photo: Buffle Heads by Tony Woo That’s right, before the 20th century, holiday traditions sometimes included the “Christmas Side Hunt,” where people would head into […]

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