What to get the birding enthusiast on your list? We've got you covered! Give the joy of backyard birding this holiday season. The holidays are fast approaching and we’re making it easy to shop for the birder and nature enthusiasts on your list! Explore the 2023 Gilligallou Gift Guide full of our tried and true recommendations for everyone from the novice to avid birder. We have also put together our favourite gift ideas for under $25. If you have any questions at all, or are looking for more recommendations, drop us a line or stop by the shop! BIRDING 101 For the new birder, these are our top ..read more

Earlier this summer, the smoke from wildfires burning in Quebec and Northern Ontario descended upon Eastern Ontario and the Eastern United States, turning skies orange and creating dangerous air quality for millions. This served as a real wake-up call to the severity of wildfires. While the smoke has cleared, wildfires still burn in the boreal forest of British Columbia, and the devastating repercussions of wildfires fueled by climate change pose severe threats to the environment and wildlife throughout Canada. Birds are among the most vulnerable creatures, which rely on stable ecosystems for ..read more

Summer is in full swing, which means the summer birds have arrived! In Ontario, you can enjoy the melodious songs of numerous songbird species throughout the summer. Some popular songbirds you may encounter include the American Goldfinch, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Meadowlark, and the House Finch. Other notable summer songbirds in the region include the Indigo Bunting, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, and the Common Yellowthroat. These birds add vibrant colours and beautiful melodies to the natural soundscape, making summer an ideal time for bird enthusiasts to listen to and appreciate their songs ..read more

Finding yourself at home with the kids can be difficult especially when figuring out how to keep them busy. Given the recent developments in our communities, our children have been mandated to stay home as schools across the country have been closed. At times like these it’s important to remember to get some fresh air and stay active, not only for us as adults but for our children as well. An easy way to do so and to get them out in the great outdoors and teach them about birds and our natural environment. Whether you live in an urban environment or out in the country somewhere, this is a wond ..read more

  A good time is always had when our dear friend Jen (The Wild Yam) stops in to see us at the shop in Almonte. We’ve known Jen for a number of years now, originally connecting via our YouTube Channel to chat about the great outdoors, nature and our beloved birds. Since then, we’ve bonded over our common interest in the great outdoors and she has become a person we are always excited to talk to. For those that have yet to meet Jen in the store or on her YouTube Channel, she is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to living life to the fullest in the outdoors. Using her 174-acre property in ..read more

Oh, how we love April! The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and so many of our favourite birds are migrating north for the spring and summer. We're going to chat about some of our favourite birds to look out for here in Eastern Ontario when you're out on your spring walks! HUMMINGBIRDS About The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is the sole breeding Hummingbird in our area. These brilliant, tiny, precision-flying creatures glitter like jewels in the full sun, then vanish with a zip toward the next nectar source. They arrive in mid-April and enjoy the warm weather of spring and summer before migra ..read more

Did you know that you can significantly impact the biodiversity of your neighbourhood by simply allocating a small section of your turf lawn to becoming a wildflower lawn? A wildflower lawn is an alternative to the traditional turf lawn and is made up of native flowers, plants, and grasses that grow well together. It’s a specifically designed community of diverse plant species — annuals, biennials, and perennials — that thrive in your region and growing conditions. As spring approaches, it's a great time to consider a wildflower lawn. There are many amazing benefits to creating a wildflower la ..read more

  One of perhaps our most misunderstood mammals here in Earth has got to be our beloved bats. Coming in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on where they reside, these creatures of the night are incredibly invaluable to us. While there might not be anything to cure those of their fears regarding bats, we do always try to do our best to educate everyone on the benefits of having them around. The truth is, these flying mammals do more than many think! From supporting cave life forms through their natural fertilizer (guano!), pollination in the tropical areas of the United States to prov ..read more

The Winter Finch Forecast is here! With the chilly weather comes the arrival of the winter finches. Each year the Finch Research Network publishes their predictions for finches heading our way. The team of volunteers gather data of the Boreal Forest cone and berry crops and by analyzing the yield, are able to predict the amount of winter finches that will be heading south in search of food. This year is an exciting year as it is an irruptive year for the Evening Grosbeaks! Evening Grosbeaks This year is an irruptive year for the Evening Grosbeaks! As a r ..read more

As the days begin to get longer and the sun a little bit stronger, I begin to think of the migration of the ducks and geese coming back north. They are definitely on the move this month, and I love to take the time to watch as the rivers and lakes open to see who first will be flying in. Open water permitting you will see some of my favourite diving ducks like buffleheads, common mergansers, hooded mergansers, common goldeneye and the scaup family. These birds dive down to the fresh aqua plants for a food source and come back to the surface for air. While our dabbling ducks like the mallard an ..read more