Author: Cottage Life

Categories
Cottage Life

Doctors can now prescribe a Parks Canada discovery pass

Photo by Shutterstock/Stas Moroz

Canadian physicians are prescribing a new treatment for improving patients’ mental and physical health: the outdoors. A collaboration between Parks Canada and PaRx, a national nature prescription program, allows registered physicians to prescribe patients with an annual Parks Canada discovery pass for free.

“We are very lucky in Canada to have a world of beautiful natural spaces at our doorstep to enjoy healthy outdoor activities. Medical research now clearly shows the positive health benefits of connecting with nature,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in a press release. “This exciting collaboration with PaRx is a breakthrough for how we treat mental and physical health challenges, and couldn’t come at a better time as we continue to grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our daily lives.”

The PaRx program was first launched by the B.C. Parks Foundation in November 2020. Throughout 2021, the program expanded to Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Physicians, nurses, and other licensed health care professionals in those four provinces, who are registered with PaRx, can now start prescribing Discovery Passes to patients.

The initiative looks to combat an increase in mental and physical health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A Statistics Canada survey found that between 2020 and 2021, symptoms of depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress disorder jumped by four per cent among Canadians aged 18 and older.

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2022 than being able to give the gift of nature to my patients,” said Melissa Lem, a family physician in B.C. and the director of PaRx, in a press release. “There’s a strong body of evidence on the health benefits of nature time, from better immune function and life expectancy to reduced risk of heart disease, depression, and anxiety, and I’m excited to see those benefits increase through this new collaboration.”

An annual Discovery Pass for adults (which costs around $72) provides access to 80 locations across the country, including national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas, covering more than 450,000 square kilometres of land and water.

“Research shows that children and adults who are more connected to nature are not only more likely to work to conserve it, but also engage in other pro-environmental behaviours,” said Lem. “I like to think that every time one of my colleagues writes a nature prescription, we’re making the planet healthier, too.”

When prescribing the passes, PaRx is asking physicians to prioritize patients who live close to the sites and will get the most use out of the pass, as well as those who may find the price of a pass a barrier to accessing nature, said Prama Rahman, a spokesperson for the B.C. Parks Foundation.

With 1,000 physicians currently registered, PaRx plans to expand to all Canadian provinces and territories by the end of 2022.

Feature video

Categories
Cottage Life

Historic Severn Lodge in Muskoka for sale after 86 years of ownership

Photo Courtesy of Severn Lodge/Facebook

Built on the northern shores of Gloucester Pool, Ont., Severn Lodge, an establishment steeped in Muskoka tradition, can trace its history back nearly 150 years. But as of mid-January, the family resort has acquired a new addition: a for sale sign.

“We have decided to sell in order to be closer to our family in the United States,” says Sam Breckbill, the current owner, in an email. “My wife and I are both from Ohio. Although, I also grew up living at the lodge for half of the year, as we are open seasonally. Much of our family lives in Ohio and other U.S. states. We are at the stage in our lives when it’s important to be close to certain family members, especially those that are getting up in years and need our support.”

The decision to sell wasn’t easy, Breckbill adds, especially as business boomed during the pandemic. Deliberations had been ongoing for two years, weighted by the family history that hangs heavy over the resort’s 100 acres of pine-covered land.

Severn Lodge
Photo Courtesy of Sam Breckbill

Severn Lodge has been in the Breckbill family for 86 years. In 1928, Sam Breckbill’s grandfather, William “Bill” Breckbill, fresh out of high school, got a job working summers at Severn Lodge. Bill fell in love with the area’s clear waters, pine woods, and rock outcroppings. He spent eight years climbing his way up to general manager before purchasing the resort in 1936.

Before being owned by the Breckbills, the Severn Lodge lot passed through several hands, starting in the mid-1800s as the Georgian Bay Lumber Company headquarters. It was then that the main lodge was built. Around 1870, as the lumber industry waned, a group from Pittsburgh, Pa. bought the property, transforming it into the Mordolphton Camp, a place to fish and enjoy pristine Canadian wilderness.

Mordolphton Camp
Photo Courtesy of Sam Breckbill

In the early 1920s, the lot was again sold. Bought by George Barrick and Glen Crummel of Akron, Ohio, who bestowed the building with its current name, Severn Lodge, opening it to the public. Under Barrick and Crummel, Bill Breckbill acquired his taste for resort life.

Fast forward nine decades, and Severn Lodge has passed through three generations of Breckbills, employing 12 different family members.

Sam Breckbill recalls a number of notable moments from his time at the lodge: staff Thanksgiving dinners served late after the guests had finished eating. Each member of the table saying what they were thankful for. A sister getting married at the lodge. His mother throwing him a party after he bought into the business. Guests and past employees showing up, reminiscing about lodge events that stretched back 40 years.

“Severn Lodge is truly a special place that you must visit in order to understand how special it is,” Breckbill says. “I think it is a combination of the cozy, secluded beauty of the resort, the lake, and the Muskoka landscape, as well as the experience of being around people who are so happy and joyful from being in this environment.”

The asking price for the lodge is $12 million, plus $5 million for an adjoining five-acre peninsula, according to Colliers Canada, the agency representing the lodge. Offers will be accepted starting March 2.

Categories
Cottage Life

Historic Severn Lodge in Muskoka for sale after 86 years of ownership

Photo Courtesy of Severn Lodge/Facebook

Built on the northern shores of Gloucester Pool, Ont., Severn Lodge, an establishment steeped in Muskoka tradition, can trace its history back nearly 150 years. But as of mid-January, the family resort has acquired a new addition: a for sale sign.

“We have decided to sell in order to be closer to our family in the United States,” says Sam Breckbill, the current owner, in an email. “My wife and I are both from Ohio. Although, I also grew up living at the lodge for half of the year, as we are open seasonally. Much of our family lives in Ohio and other U.S. states. We are at the stage in our lives when it’s important to be close to certain family members, especially those that are getting up in years and need our support.”

The decision to sell wasn’t easy, Breckbill adds, especially as business boomed during the pandemic. Deliberations had been ongoing for two years, weighted by the family history that hangs heavy over the resort’s 100 acres of pine-covered land.

Severn Lodge
Photo Courtesy of Sam Breckbill

Severn Lodge has been in the Breckbill family for 86 years. In 1928, Sam Breckbill’s grandfather, William “Bill” Breckbill, fresh out of high school, got a job working summers at Severn Lodge. Bill fell in love with the area’s clear waters, pine woods, and rock outcroppings. He spent eight years climbing his way up to general manager before purchasing the resort in 1936.

Before being owned by the Breckbills, the Severn Lodge lot passed through several hands, starting in the mid-1800s as the Georgian Bay Lumber Company headquarters. It was then that the main lodge was built. Around 1870, as the lumber industry waned, a group from Pittsburgh, Pa. bought the property, transforming it into the Mordolphton Camp, a place to fish and enjoy pristine Canadian wilderness.

Mordolphton Camp
Photo Courtesy of Sam Breckbill

In the early 1920s, the lot was again sold. Bought by George Barrick and Glen Crummel of Akron, Ohio, who bestowed the building with its current name, Severn Lodge, opening it to the public. Under Barrick and Crummel, Bill Breckbill acquired his taste for resort life.

Fast forward nine decades, and Severn Lodge has passed through three generations of Breckbills, employing 12 different family members.

Sam Breckbill recalls a number of notable moments from his time at the lodge: staff Thanksgiving dinners served late after the guests had finished eating. Each member of the table saying what they were thankful for. A sister getting married at the lodge. His mother throwing him a party after he bought into the business. Guests and past employees showing up, reminiscing about lodge events that stretched back 40 years.

“Severn Lodge is truly a special place that you must visit in order to understand how special it is,” Breckbill says. “I think it is a combination of the cozy, secluded beauty of the resort, the lake, and the Muskoka landscape, as well as the experience of being around people who are so happy and joyful from being in this environment.”

The asking price for the lodge is $12 million, plus $5 million for an adjoining five-acre peninsula, according to Colliers Canada, the agency representing the lodge. Offers will be accepted starting March 2.

Categories
Cottage Life

7 wineries to taste-test in Ontario cottage country

Photo by FrimuFilms/Shutterstock

Ontario makes some of the world’s best cool climate wines and the nearest vineyard may be closer than you think. You don’t have to travel to Prince Edward County or the Niagara Escarpment when cottage country is packed with award-winning, innovative wineries. Here are seven to seek out.

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery

At this farm and cranberry bog, the wine is fresh and fruity. Bala’s Muskoka Lakes specializes in cranberry and blueberry wines. As Ontario’s oldest cranberry farm, visiting here is a delight, whether you’re snowshoeing, hiking the trails, or taking part in the “Cranberry Plunge” (wadding into the bog for some colourful photos).

Pelee Island Winery

Pelee Island Winery is flush with bragging rights. It’s Canada’s southernmost estate winery and, with over 700 acres of vineyards, it’s also the biggest. From Baco Noir to Vidal Blanc, they grow nearly two dozen varietals, and wines range from cute, single serving bottles to robust bag-in-box kits, perfect for any cottage gathering. 

Kawartha Country Wines

Tucked beside Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, Kawartha Country Wines almost feels more like an orchard than a winery. They offer more than 40 varieties of fruit wine, including gooseberry, nectarine, and sour cherry. They were also the first in Canada to make spiced pumpkin wine—something to try on a fall closing-up weekend. 

Potter Settlement Wine

Located outside Tweed, Ont., Potter Settlement Wines offers a number of dry and fruit wines, but the real draw here is the 2017 Marquette. This multi-award winning red wine, made with cold-hearty grapes, is aged in French oak. Perhaps that’s why it felt right at home in Bordeaux, where it won gold in the 2021 Challenge du Vin, beating out over 3,500 competitors. 

KIN Vineyards

Ottawa’s unforgiving winters don’t scare the wine makers at KIN Vineyards. Located just west of the city in Carp, KIN grows Ontario’s northernmost Chardonnay. The vines are painstakingly buried by hand each autumn to protect them from the punishing snow. Given that the winery’s next-door neighbour is the subterranean Diefenbunker Museum, going underground seems rather appropriate. 

Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery

Don’t let the foreboding name scare you. Coffin Ridge offers heavenly views over Georgian Bay and a lineup of wines with punny titles. In addition to cold-hearty varieties like Marquette and L’Acadie Blanc, it also offers a delicious orange wine called Divine Intervention.

The Cottage Winery

If you want to be a bit more hands-on when it comes to your libations, The Cottage Winery in Bracebridge is ideal. This DIY winery store invites you to make your very own wine and then return in four to six weeks for bottling. Custom labels are available, a fun option for anyone hosting a cottage wedding or reunion. 

Categories
Cottage Life

7 wineries to taste-test in Ontario cottage country

Photo by FrimuFilms/Shutterstock

Ontario makes some of the world’s best cool climate wines and the nearest vineyard may be closer than you think. You don’t have to travel to Prince Edward County or the Niagara Escarpment when cottage country is packed with award-winning, innovative wineries. Here are seven to seek out.

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery

At this farm and cranberry bog, the wine is fresh and fruity. Bala’s Muskoka Lakes specializes in cranberry and blueberry wines. As Ontario’s oldest cranberry farm, visiting here is a delight, whether you’re snowshoeing, hiking the trails, or taking part in the “Cranberry Plunge” (wadding into the bog for some colourful photos).

Pelee Island Winery

Pelee Island Winery is flush with bragging rights. It’s Canada’s southernmost estate winery and, with over 700 acres of vineyards, it’s also the biggest. From Baco Noir to Vidal Blanc, they grow nearly two dozen varietals, and wines range from cute, single serving bottles to robust bag-in-box kits, perfect for any cottage gathering. 

Kawartha Country Wines

Tucked beside Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park, Kawartha Country Wines almost feels more like an orchard than a winery. They offer more than 40 varieties of fruit wine, including gooseberry, nectarine, and sour cherry. They were also the first in Canada to make spiced pumpkin wine—something to try on a fall closing-up weekend. 

Potter Settlement Wine

Located outside Tweed, Ont., Potter Settlement Wines offers a number of dry and fruit wines, but the real draw here is the 2017 Marquette. This multi-award winning red wine, made with cold-hearty grapes, is aged in French oak. Perhaps that’s why it felt right at home in Bordeaux, where it won gold in the 2021 Challenge du Vin, beating out over 3,500 competitors. 

KIN Vineyards

Ottawa’s unforgiving winters don’t scare the wine makers at KIN Vineyards. Located just west of the city in Carp, KIN grows Ontario’s northernmost Chardonnay. The vines are painstakingly buried by hand each autumn to protect them from the punishing snow. Given that the winery’s next-door neighbour is the subterranean Diefenbunker Museum, going underground seems rather appropriate. 

Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery

Don’t let the foreboding name scare you. Coffin Ridge offers heavenly views over Georgian Bay and a lineup of wines with punny titles. In addition to cold-hearty varieties like Marquette and L’Acadie Blanc, it also offers a delicious orange wine called Divine Intervention.

The Cottage Winery

If you want to be a bit more hands-on when it comes to your libations, The Cottage Winery in Bracebridge is ideal. This DIY winery store invites you to make your very own wine and then return in four to six weeks for bottling. Custom labels are available, a fun option for anyone hosting a cottage wedding or reunion. 

Categories
Cottage Life

Cottage real estate region: Acadian Coast

Photo by gvictoria/Shutterstock

New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province. Many of its vibrant Francophone communities are arrayed along its east coast, known as the Acadian Coast. Here, cottage country has traditionally meant Shediac, a 20-minute drive from Moncton. The town is the self-proclaimed lobster capital of the world, and the July festival devoted to this succulent crustacean is one of many family-oriented events. But with such a short commute to the city, many Shediac cottages are becoming year-round residences.

Farther north along the shore, waterfront dwellings tend to be more affordable. However, you’ll likely find these in a fishing village rather than in a cottage community. For those willing to try a more remote area, there are beautiful beaches on Chaleur Bay. Bathurst is an attractive regional centre with a tradition of multi-generational family cottages on its outskirts.

In northern New Brunswick, undeveloped waterfront lots are a popular investment for rural New Brunswickers working out west in the oil patch. More generally, though, the much-loathed “double tax” on second homes (actually a provincial tax on top of municipal property taxes) likely dampens the cottage market province-wide, potentially putting buyers at an advantage. 

Categories
Cottage Life

Everything you need to include in your cottage rental agreement

Photo by Shutterstock/REDPIXEL.PL

If you have a cottage in a prime location, renting can be a great source of ancillary revenue. Unfortunately, renting out your property isn’t as easy as handing over the keys. Even if people are only staying for a weekend, you need measures in place to protect you, your guest, and your property. To do this, create a cottage rental agreement.

“A rental agreement itemizes the terms, the price, and any security deposits that would have to go down,” says Bradley Samuel, a real estate lawyer with Tierney Stauffer LLP.

If you’re creating your own rental agreement, here are the details you should include:

Guest information

Don’t hand your property over to a complete stranger. In the agreement, collect the guest’s name, phone number, email address, and home address. Some hosts will even ask for a copy of the guest’s ID to ensure they are who they say they are.

Beyond the guest who made the booking, you should also require the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all people who will be occupying your property, including guests just visiting for the day and not staying overnight.

Having this information gives you a better idea of who you’re hosting and should keep your guests’ behaviour more accountable during the stay.

Property details

Give the guest a detailed overview of what’s available at your property. Include an itemized list of amenities, such as laundry machines and internet access. Some hosts also provide watercraft. If you’re providing a motorized watercraft, Samuel stresses that you must outline the rules around its use. “If they’re getting use of a boat or watercraft, [make sure] that they’re appropriately licensed, drinking is prohibited, and so forth,” he says.

This section is also where you can specify what’s off limits to guests, such as utility closets or work sheds.

Terms of the stay

To avoid issues with poorly behaved guests, include rules around the stay. Start with the check-in and checkout dates and times. Make sure they’re exact so that guests don’t have wiggle room to show up and leave whenever they want. Specify the maximum number of allowed guests at the property, including those just visiting for the day—otherwise you leave yourself open to parties.

Follow this up with any firm rules, such as no smoking, no pets, or no loud music. Samuel also suggests including a note on any fire bans in effect, especially if you have an outdoor fire pit.

Finally, let the guest know that upon departure, you expect the cottage to be in the same condition they found it. Some hosts will even provide dump passes, requiring the guest to take their garbage with them.

“You would want to include a clause that says breach of any of those rules is a deemed termination, and you can be ejected immediately,” Samuel says. “So, you sort of swing the hammer if you need to.”

Liabilities

According to Samuel, this is a must-have section in the agreement. In case anything happens during the stay, you need to make sure you’re protected against lawsuits or major financial loss.

The first step is to check what your insurance covers. “Most people’s homeowner’s insurance covers them for blanket liability,” Samuel says. “So, things like boating accidents or negligence that causes injury…typically [the host’s] house insurance will cover that.”

As an added precaution, Samuel advises including a separate indemnity waiver to ensure that “the actual person or persons putting their name and credit card down are the ones who are going to take liability for their guests.” This means that if someone other than the person who made the booking drives your boat while intoxicated or performs a dangerous act, you’re not liable for their well-being. We suggest having a lawyer look over the waiver before sending it to guests.

Payment information

This is where you can confirm the nightly price, how you expect to be paid (through a booking site, e-transfer, etc.), and when the fee should be paid by. If the guest is booking more than 30 days in advance, you may want to ask for part of the payment up front so that the guest is less inclined to cancel last minute.

Add a section about cancellations—how the guest should go about it, how far in advance you need to be notified, and any ramifications, such as a lost deposit, so the guest knows what to expect if they change their mind about the stay.

This is also a good place to include any information on security or cleaning deposits. Communicate why you collect the deposit, how much you collect, and under what circumstances the guest would lose the deposit. Claiming a deposit can be a point of contention between guests and hosts, so make sure you’re clear on what your expectations are.

Additional clauses

As much as the agreement is about the guest committing to your rules, you need to provide them with some promises. This includes a section about maintenance—that the property will be clean, safe to use, and all amenities will be working.

You should also address your right to access the property during the stay. “If it’s a weekend or a week booking, we’re talking shorter term, I would say in the agreement that you can access the property at all reasonable times,” Samuel says.

Finally, provide information on keys, alarms, and lock codes—anything the guest needs to access the property.

Once the guest has read and completed the agreement, all you need is their signature and you’re ready to rent.

Categories
Cottage Life

Take the plunge: the benefits of ice baths and cold-water swimming

Photo courtesy of Unbounded

Have you ever gone for a true polar bear plunge? It’s thrilling: stripping down to your swimsuit in the middle of winter and running into the lake. But it’s not just the excitement that gets people plunging. Ice baths and cold-water swimming have long been a tradition in many Scandinavian and Balkan countries, with many people participating for the potential health benefits. Cottager Nick McNault loves the feeling he gets when he takes the plunge, and he wants to share the ice bath experience with the masses. 

“I ended up staying at my cottage in Land O’ Lakes much later in the season in 2020 than I usually would have, and I was swimming in the lake as it got colder and colder,” he said. “I came back to Toronto in November, and I still wanted to go swimming even though it was starting to hit freezing temperatures.” 

Nick reached out to a group of friends, and about eight people agreed to take a plunge at Cherry Beach, on the shores of Lake Ontario. He watched as his friends had the same kind of intense experience he had in his cold water dips. “It’s initially shocking, and then incredibly meditative, and then incredibly profound in the types of realizations you feel and the experience you have.” 

Are ice baths good for you?

There has not been extensive research into cold-water therapy, but small scientific studies suggest that it may help with muscle soreness, combat inflammation, and relieve depressive symptoms. The sudden exposure to cold water creates mood-elevating hormones like noradrenaline and dopamine, which may be behind the “profound” experiences Nick describes. Other cold-water swimmers credit the freezing plunge with improving body image and aiding physical and mental health.

Cold-water swimming experiences

The dips became a regular experience, and in December 2020, Nick and his friend Ron Bautigas filmed themselves playing chess while in the water and surrounded by ice at Oak Lake. The video went viral. Instead of just “15 minutes of fame,” Nick decided to turn the experience into something more. 

Nick, his partner, Lisa Kricfalusi, and their friend Zachary Ramelan decided to expand their wintry dips into a business, offering a guided ice bath experience to people. They named the venture Unbounded to illustrate how cold-water swimming represents doing something wild yet freeing. 

People in an ice bath in lake
Photo courtesy of Unbounded

Since its inception, Unbounded has grown to cover classes and a retreat. Cold Camp takes place over the winter at The Trace at Oak Lake, a resort of winterized cottages about two hours northeast of Toronto. People can come for however long they want—“be it two nights, a week, be it a month”—and access breathwork classes, tea rooms, and outdoor hot tubs. There’s internet access and space to do remote work. In non-COVID times, there’s a sauna. The real draw though is the cold plunges—done in ice holes cut right into the lake. 

“Cold Camp was our idea of how to incorporate nature and a little bit more primal living into daily life,” says Nick. “We’re able to be in nature, connect with others safely, and work while still being in harmony with the elements.”

How to take an ice bath for the first time

Are you curious about trying ice baths and cold-water swimming? Nick emphasizes that safety is the most important consideration. Don’t just jump in your nearest body of water. Here are his recommendations on how to try an ice bath:

  • Start with a cold shower, and build up your tolerance from there. “Start with 10 seconds, and breathe through it.” Over the course of a couple of weeks, increase the amount of cold shower time.
  • Focus on your breathing. “Bring your attention to your breath and manage your breathing. Our natural response when in cold water is to get super tense.” Relax as much as you can and keep your breathing measured and steady.
  • Buddy up. Never go into cold water without at least someone on the shore to keep an eye on you.
  • In addition to your bathing suit, wear surfing gloves and booties to keep your hands and feet warm and a toque to prevent heat loss from your head. 
  • How long should you do an ice bath for? Know when enough is enough. “At two minutes, your body has gained all of the potential physiological benefits that you can get.” It’s not worth pushing long exposure times and putting yourself at risk. Nick never lets participants stay in cold water longer than four minutes.
  • Bring warm, loose layers to change into and at least two towels to dry off.  

Categories
Cottage Life

Share this Valentine’s wishlist with your partner this year

Images courtesy of brands/retailers

Our editorial team independently selects these products. If you choose to buy any, we may earn a commission that helps fund our content. Learn more.

It can be hard to choose a Valentine’s Day gift. You want something that’s the perfect mix of fun, personal and practical. We’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation by curating this list of perfect gifts, that you can share with your partner. Wink. Wink. Nudge. Nudge.

Trail running shoes for valentines day wishlist Image courtesy of Salomon/MEC

Trail running shoes

Help your partner reach their new personal best, or just have a comfortable time on the trail. These shoes boast anti-debris mesh to keep out grit and sand, as well as traction and cushioning. They come in three colours: blue, brick, and black.

Buy from MEC
$169.95

roots purse for valentines wishlist Image courtesy of Roots Canada

Crossbody bag

A versatile, classic bag that can be worn as a crossbody bag or used as a clutch.

Buy from Roots
$98

candle valentines wishlist Image courtesy of Burn/Indigo

Massage candle

What’s a massage candle? Well, it’s a twofer. You can use it to provide ambient light and scent while you relax, or use the melted wax—made with jojoba oil and scented with amber and lemongrass—on your skin.

 

Buy from Indigo
$34

monogramed necklace Image courtesy of Jenny Bird/Indigo

Monogrammed gold necklace

If you’re looking for a personalized gift for your sweetheart, these custom necklaces come in all the letters of the alphabet and are designed using the cross-section of a heart.

 

Buy from Indigo
$105

love cards for valentines day wishlist Image courtesy of The School of Life/Indigo

100 Questions: Love card game

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking activity to spark meaningful communication with your partner or friends, this unique game is carefully composed of questions designed to raise conversations that might otherwise go unspoken.

 

Buy from Indigo
$36

smart watch for valentines day wishlist

Smartwatch

Perfect for the on-the-go partner (I’m looking at you, moms). It responds to texts, tracks distance, and monitors your sleep. You can even swim it, too.

 

Buy from Amazon
$269
$219

etsy bookmark valentines day wishlist Image courtesy of Aeon Leather Studio on Etsy

Personalized leather bookmark

You’ll have your partner thinking of you whenever they start a new chapter.

Buy from Etsy
$20.63

jewellery box for valentines day wishlist Image courtesy of LATIT/Amazon

Travel jewellery box

This portable jewellery box is perfect for weekends away at the cottage.

Buy from Amazon
$18.99

robe for valentines day wishlist Image courtesy of Amazon

Waffle robe

An absorbent, cozy bathrobe is the practical gift your special someone wants and needs.

Buy from Amazon
Starting at: $27

kobo for valentines day wishlist Image courtesy of Kobo/Amazon

E-reader

This fully waterproof e-reader is backlit and can store up to 24,000 books at a time—making it an ideal companion to bring to the cottage.

Buy from Amazon
$219.98

wooden utensils in a holder Photo courtesy of Kilne

Wooden utensils

The chef in your family will appreciate these acacia wood cooking utensils that won’t scratch your cookware. They also make a stylish addition to your countertop.

Buy from Kilne
$35

Categories
Cottage Life

Wild Profile: Meet the crossbill

By Harold Stiver/Shutterstock

The crossbill is a shining example of a bird with a bill that’s especially adapted to how the species lives and feeds. The tips of a crossbill’s beak literally cross, in a bizarre and dramatic overbite. Quick, get this bird some braces! No: the misalignment allows these avians to expertly snip cones from trees and, holding them in one claw, lever the scales open to expose the seeds. They then use their tongues to pull out the seeds. 

What’s up with the bills?

Although plenty of birds have evolved bills to help them feed—the brown creeper, with its tweezers; the hummingbird, with its nectar-sucking syringe—a crossbill’s mouthpiece is particularly useful. A lot of bird food sources run low in the winter, but not for Mr. Crisscross. Conifer trees have plenty of cones all season long—no matter how frigid or snowy the weather. And since most birds don’t have the beaks (or the skills) to feed off cones…well, all the more for the red crossbill!

What do they look like?

Only the male red crossbill is actually red; females are yellow. They tend to forage in flocks, moving from one tree to another in a flurry of colour and noise. Crossbills can be as small as black-capped chickadees or as large as brown-headed cowbirds. There’s so much variation because North America has roughly ten different “types” of the species. (Experts, for the most part, don’t consider them subspecies.) Their beaks all vary slightly depending on the specific cones that they eat. Eastern Canada’s most common crossbill, for example, prefers pine and white spruce.

Why are crossbills noisy?

A red crossbill pair breeds in late summer, but, if the cone supply is plentiful, Mom and Dad will produce another two broods—even nesting and incubating eggs in the winter. Red crossbills will happily nest close to one another in areas thick with cones. As a species, they’re very social and generally good at sharing; ornithologists suspect that they call to one another while foraging to convey info about the quality of cones and seeds that they’re finding. This allows the flock to forage more efficiently—and that’s good for the species in general.