Secret Garden Birds and Bees
@secretgardenbirdsandbees.org
We are an all volunteer 501(c)(3) organization working with wildlife rehabilitators, falconers, beekeepers and naturalists dedicated to sharing our love of nature through informative and entertaining education programs and events with live birds of prey.
Our Great Horned Owl, Hodor, is molting - his annual replacement of old feathers that might be broken, worn, or faded with new ones.
May 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Our Great Horned Owl, Hodor, is molting - his annual replacement of old feathers that might be broken, worn, or faded with new ones.
It's baby bird season! American kestrel, Pippin, and I explain why you shouldn't raise a wild baby bird on your own & what to do if you find one in trouble. For more info & links to helpful resources visit www.SecretGardenBirdsAndBees.org & click "Help! I Found a Baby Bird!"
youtu.be/Bm0OZJlgPVg
youtu.be/Bm0OZJlgPVg
Help! I Found a Baby Bird
YouTube video by Secret Garden Birds and Bees
youtu.be
May 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It's baby bird season! American kestrel, Pippin, and I explain why you shouldn't raise a wild baby bird on your own & what to do if you find one in trouble. For more info & links to helpful resources visit www.SecretGardenBirdsAndBees.org & click "Help! I Found a Baby Bird!"
youtu.be/Bm0OZJlgPVg
youtu.be/Bm0OZJlgPVg
Deep blue skies and sunlight created painting-like reflections in our little creek. We are so happy to see water flowing again after a very dry summer and fall. Slow-melting snow made all the difference.
February 27, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Deep blue skies and sunlight created painting-like reflections in our little creek. We are so happy to see water flowing again after a very dry summer and fall. Slow-melting snow made all the difference.
Another owl friend at the Secret Garden - a sleepy barn owl in an old silo.
February 26, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Another owl friend at the Secret Garden - a sleepy barn owl in an old silo.
Found an old friend at the Secret Garden - a sleepy barred owl!
February 26, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Found an old friend at the Secret Garden - a sleepy barred owl!
Meet the Secret Garden raptors up close. Learn about their lives in the wild & how we can help them thrive. You'll even have chance to take a photo with your favorite bird! This event is hosted by Hal & Berni Hanson Park. To register and purchase a ticket, go to www.facebook.com/HansonRegion....
February 24, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Meet the Secret Garden raptors up close. Learn about their lives in the wild & how we can help them thrive. You'll even have chance to take a photo with your favorite bird! This event is hosted by Hal & Berni Hanson Park. To register and purchase a ticket, go to www.facebook.com/HansonRegion....
A gentle message about finding belonging in nature, beauty in the diversity of all people, and a reminder to support our young people as they discover themselves and create their own, unique place in the world.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z44q...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z44q...
Find Belonging in Nature: Reconnecting with the Earth and Yourself
YouTube video by Reflections of Life
www.youtube.com
February 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
A gentle message about finding belonging in nature, beauty in the diversity of all people, and a reminder to support our young people as they discover themselves and create their own, unique place in the world.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z44q...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z44q...
When most people think of falconry, they think of big birds – peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles – hunting large quarry in remote mountain landscapes. But falconry birds come in all sizes and you can be a falconer – even in the city!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKvk...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKvk...
What’s It Like to be a Falconer And Why It’s Needed | America Outdoors: Understory | PBS
YouTube video by PBS
www.youtube.com
February 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
When most people think of falconry, they think of big birds – peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles – hunting large quarry in remote mountain landscapes. But falconry birds come in all sizes and you can be a falconer – even in the city!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKvk...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKvk...
There's much more in this exquisite video than how the sounds of nature change after a fire. Humans are a visual species. But our world expands when we close our eyes and listen. Rachel Carson knew this when she titled her book, Silent Spring. www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0I...
How Soundscapes Change After A Fire | "The Last of the Nightingales" | The New Yorker Documentary
YouTube video by The New Yorker
www.youtube.com
February 16, 2025 at 11:56 PM
There's much more in this exquisite video than how the sounds of nature change after a fire. Humans are a visual species. But our world expands when we close our eyes and listen. Rachel Carson knew this when she titled her book, Silent Spring. www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0I...
Reposted by Secret Garden Birds and Bees
Hi, everyone, and welcome to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy's new Blue Sky account. Please follow us for updates as we continue our ongoing mission to protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitat while shaping a Loudoun where people and wildlife thrive together!
youtu.be/8zle_jIucCY
youtu.be/8zle_jIucCY
Why Support Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy?
YouTube video by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy
youtu.be
February 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Hi, everyone, and welcome to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy's new Blue Sky account. Please follow us for updates as we continue our ongoing mission to protect, preserve, and restore wildlife habitat while shaping a Loudoun where people and wildlife thrive together!
youtu.be/8zle_jIucCY
youtu.be/8zle_jIucCY
The Call of the Wild. Listen to the calls of the coyotes heard from the bald eagle nest at the Dulles Greenway Wetlands. This protected space is filled with wildlife that is heard but not seen. Credit: Dulles Greenway Eagle Cam. youtu.be/lSNDYOqOabQ
Dulles Greenway Eagle Cam - Coyotes
YouTube video by Secret Garden Birds and Bees
youtu.be
February 15, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Call of the Wild. Listen to the calls of the coyotes heard from the bald eagle nest at the Dulles Greenway Wetlands. This protected space is filled with wildlife that is heard but not seen. Credit: Dulles Greenway Eagle Cam. youtu.be/lSNDYOqOabQ
The phrase “a lousy salary, and a fantastic life” may be familiar to most of us dedicated to observing, conserving, and teaching about the natural world. This life-long love story shows lasting happiness exists in profound connection with nature and everyday rhythms. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWbE...
The Last Observers | Patagonia Films
YouTube video by Patagonia
www.youtube.com
February 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The phrase “a lousy salary, and a fantastic life” may be familiar to most of us dedicated to observing, conserving, and teaching about the natural world. This life-long love story shows lasting happiness exists in profound connection with nature and everyday rhythms. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWbE...
Yesterday was the the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Suzanne Simmard's book Finding the Mother Tree changed the way I, and many others, think of forests. www.youtube.com/watch?v=breD...
Nature's internet: how trees talk to each other in a healthy forest | Suzanne Simard | TEDxSeattle
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Yesterday was the the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Suzanne Simmard's book Finding the Mother Tree changed the way I, and many others, think of forests. www.youtube.com/watch?v=breD...
We are afraid of what will happen to our unspoiled places in the coming years. But nature is resilient and recovery doesn't take as long as we might think. If being hopeful in today's world makes me a fool and a dreamer - so be it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZS...
Man Spends 30 Years Turning Degraded Land into Massive Forest – Fools & Dreamers (Full Documentary)
YouTube video by Happen Films
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:46 PM
We are afraid of what will happen to our unspoiled places in the coming years. But nature is resilient and recovery doesn't take as long as we might think. If being hopeful in today's world makes me a fool and a dreamer - so be it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VZS...
It’s finally Superb Owl Day! And our Wildlife Ambassadors want to know whooo you think is most superb.
February 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
It’s finally Superb Owl Day! And our Wildlife Ambassadors want to know whooo you think is most superb.
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy invites you into the intimate lives of the Dulles Dulles Greenway Eagles as part of "Wild About the Dulles Wetlands" program series. Info & signup: loudounwildlife.org/event/eagles...
Info about the full series of online programs here: loudounwildlife.org/2025/01/dull...
Info about the full series of online programs here: loudounwildlife.org/2025/01/dull...
February 8, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy invites you into the intimate lives of the Dulles Dulles Greenway Eagles as part of "Wild About the Dulles Wetlands" program series. Info & signup: loudounwildlife.org/event/eagles...
Info about the full series of online programs here: loudounwildlife.org/2025/01/dull...
Info about the full series of online programs here: loudounwildlife.org/2025/01/dull...
Art, poetry, love, healing and resilience in rewilding a dying forest. www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5oz...
Rewilding A Forest | Artist and Poet Maria "Vildhjärta" Westerberg
YouTube video by Campfire Stories
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Art, poetry, love, healing and resilience in rewilding a dying forest. www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5oz...
These past days have been painful. Our fears for the future are real. So, if you need rest, take 13 minutes to watch this gentle documentary. It is for everyone searching for beauty in a this dismal world. Please take its message to heart. We must not give up. www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7xw...
The Birdwatchers - award-winning nature documentary
YouTube video by Thomas Winward
www.youtube.com
February 6, 2025 at 10:32 PM
These past days have been painful. Our fears for the future are real. So, if you need rest, take 13 minutes to watch this gentle documentary. It is for everyone searching for beauty in a this dismal world. Please take its message to heart. We must not give up. www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7xw...
To brighten a gloomy day, I'm sharing a video of Little Vos from 4 yrs ago. He's still a favorite at the Secret Garden! Like most owls, Vos gained weight to cope with cold weather. He weighed 202g this morning!!! That's a bit much. Normal is 148g. He starts his diet tonight!
youtu.be/V0pt-n-uLaQ
youtu.be/V0pt-n-uLaQ
Kvosir - Fall 2020
YouTube video by Secret Garden Birds and Bees
youtu.be
February 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
To brighten a gloomy day, I'm sharing a video of Little Vos from 4 yrs ago. He's still a favorite at the Secret Garden! Like most owls, Vos gained weight to cope with cold weather. He weighed 202g this morning!!! That's a bit much. Normal is 148g. He starts his diet tonight!
youtu.be/V0pt-n-uLaQ
youtu.be/V0pt-n-uLaQ
Great reference for things everyone can do to create a healthy and welcoming habitat for wildlife. You will save money, you won't have to work as hard on maintenance, and you will be rewarded with the beauty and diversity of nature. 🌎https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf
xerces.org
February 5, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Great reference for things everyone can do to create a healthy and welcoming habitat for wildlife. You will save money, you won't have to work as hard on maintenance, and you will be rewarded with the beauty and diversity of nature. 🌎https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf
This is Little Vos, our eastern screech owl ambassador. He's very happy to be on Bluesky 😊!
February 5, 2025 at 2:43 AM
This is Little Vos, our eastern screech owl ambassador. He's very happy to be on Bluesky 😊!
Interesting discussion of Flaco's year in NYC Central Park by the authors of a book about him, Eurasian Eagle Owls in their native habitat by an expert from the Netherlands, the dangers of rodenticides by Raptors Are The Solution. Bonus - lots of great owl hoots!
www.youtube.com/live/0W0AJPN...
www.youtube.com/live/0W0AJPN...
Flaco Panel Discussion
YouTube video by International Owl Center
www.youtube.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Interesting discussion of Flaco's year in NYC Central Park by the authors of a book about him, Eurasian Eagle Owls in their native habitat by an expert from the Netherlands, the dangers of rodenticides by Raptors Are The Solution. Bonus - lots of great owl hoots!
www.youtube.com/live/0W0AJPN...
www.youtube.com/live/0W0AJPN...
A raptor's ability to keep its head still while searching visually for prey is essential for survival. Knowing how they use their wings helps rehabbers assess and treat injuries in ways that preserve this vital skill.
www.newscientist.com/article/2443...
www.newscientist.com/article/2443...
We now know how kestrels stay perfectly still while hovering
Two nankeen kestrels have been filmed flying in a wind tunnel to learn how the raptors keep their heads in a fixed position under turbulent conditions
www.newscientist.com
February 4, 2025 at 3:47 AM
A raptor's ability to keep its head still while searching visually for prey is essential for survival. Knowing how they use their wings helps rehabbers assess and treat injuries in ways that preserve this vital skill.
www.newscientist.com/article/2443...
www.newscientist.com/article/2443...
Everyone knows that invasive starlings in North America are descendants of birds released in NYC in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin, a man obsessed with importing birds mentioned by Shakespeare. But is that true? Maybe we should take another look at these much-despised birds!
doi.org/10.1215/2201...
doi.org/10.1215/2201...
January 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Everyone knows that invasive starlings in North America are descendants of birds released in NYC in 1890 by Eugene Schieffelin, a man obsessed with importing birds mentioned by Shakespeare. But is that true? Maybe we should take another look at these much-despised birds!
doi.org/10.1215/2201...
doi.org/10.1215/2201...
I've worked with ravens, vultures, and eagles. They are intense, powerful, at times intimidating. But no bird is more menacing than a great blue heron.
www.facebook.com/reel/2796655...
www.facebook.com/reel/2796655...
28 reactions | Mill Creek, January 26, 2025 | Chesapeake Conservancy
Mill Creek, January 26, 2025.
www.facebook.com
January 31, 2025 at 4:18 AM
I've worked with ravens, vultures, and eagles. They are intense, powerful, at times intimidating. But no bird is more menacing than a great blue heron.
www.facebook.com/reel/2796655...
www.facebook.com/reel/2796655...