as a volunteer naturalist, I understand the importance of fostering an awareness of nature.  Action toward preserving the environment for future generations begins with an awareness of the natural world, and what better way to connect with nature than to feed wild birds?  Birds are everywhere!  Backyard birdfeeding, the second most popular hobby in the United States, is an activity that anyone can enjoy.  Whether you are young or old, setting out one feeder or twelve, inviting feathered friends into your life will connect you with nature and rejuvenate your soul.  The ever-present element of surprise awaits you with each peek out the window as each new day and each new season brings countless opportunities to make exciting observations!  I love to help others discover or expand this wonderful hobby at The Songbird Sanctuary!  

During my many years of feeding wild birds, I discovered a wide array of unique, superior-quality, functional birdfeeding products that weren't available in the Pittsburgh area.  I dreamed of changing that by opening a specialized shop that featured an outstanding selection of extraordinary merchandise accompanied by service that was second to none.
The Songbird Sanctuary hatched out of my passion for feeding, watching, photographing, and recording the antics of wild birds for 20 years.  As the shop's logo states, "Sharing the Joy of Backyard Birdfeeding" is my goal.












History
The birds around me hopped and played,
their thoughts I cannot measure,
but the least motion which they made,
it seemed a thrill of pleasure.
- William Wordsworth
My volunteer naturalist days...sharing the wonders of nature with a group of school children.
My volunteer naturalist days...sharing the wonders of nature with a group of school children.My volunteer naturalist days...sharing the wonders of nature with a group of school children.My volunteer naturalist days...sharing the wonders of nature with a group of school children.
My volunteer naturalist days...sharing the wonders of nature with a group of school children.
John, my son, discovered he could paint very well but wondered why so many colors were necessary!
John, my son, discovered he could paint very well but wondered why so many colors were necessary!John, my son, discovered he could paint very well but wondered why so many colors were necessary!John, my son, discovered he could paint very well but wondered why so many colors were necessary!
John, my son, discovered he could paint very well but wondered why so many colors were necessary!
Sarah, my daughter, was our "trim" girl...she likes detail work.
Sarah, my daughter, was our "trim" girl...she likes detail work.Sarah, my daughter, was our "trim" girl...she likes detail work.Sarah, my daughter, was our "trim" girl...she likes detail work.
Sarah, my daughter, was our "trim" girl...she likes detail work.
Mike, my husband, hadn't wallpapered anything in 25 years; but it all came back to him quickly.
Mike, my husband, hadn't wallpapered anything in 25 years; but it all came back to him quickly.Mike, my husband, hadn't wallpapered anything in 25 years; but it all came back to him quickly.Mike, my husband, hadn't wallpapered anything in 25 years; but it all came back to him quickly.
Mike, my husband, hadn't wallpapered anything in 25 years; but it all came back to him quickly.
After locating a wonderful space in the heart of charming Blawnox, PA, the renovations began!
after years of research and planning, the "Open" flag went up; and the doors to The Songbird Sanctuary opened!
The beginning of our Main Room with its big window offering a view to the birdfeeder out front. Cardinals, blue jays, song sparrows, house finches, and house sparrows are our regular visitors. Over the Summer, we were able to watch parents feeding their fluffy-feathered young!
The beginning of our Main Room with its big window offering a view to the birdfeeder out front. Cardinals, blue jays, song sparrows, house finches, and house sparrows are our regular visitors. Over the Summer, we were able to watch parents feeding their fluffy-feathered young!The beginning of our Main Room with its big window offering a view to the birdfeeder out front. Cardinals, blue jays, song sparrows, house finches, and house sparrows are our regular visitors. Over the Summer, we were able to watch parents feeding their fluffy-feathered young!The beginning of our Main Room with its big window offering a view to the birdfeeder out front. Cardinals, blue jays, song sparrows, house finches, and house sparrows are our regular visitors. Over the Summer, we were able to watch parents feeding their fluffy-feathered young!
The beginning of our Main Room with its big window offering a view to the birdfeeder out front. Cardinals, blue jays, song sparrows, house finches, and house sparrows are our regular visitors. Over the Summer, we were able to watch parents feeding their fluffy-feathered young!
With the help of family and friends, the space was transformed into the perfect home for a carefully-chosen, distinctive collection of bird, butterfly, and squirrel feeders; bird, bat, butterfly, and ladybug houses; seeds, suets, nectars, fruits, and mealworms; bird baths; hooks, poles, staffs, and stakes; field guides and nature books; shade-grown coffees; nature-inspired home accessories and gifts...a bird and nature lover's dream come true!
In November 2007,
Downy Woodpeckers can be attracted with suet.
311 Freeport Road
Blawnox, PA  15238
Phone 412-828-5393
Fax 412-828-5394
LetsTalkBirds@aol.com
10:30AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday - Saturday
& By Appointment
It has been my pleasure to meet and serve the backyard birdfeeding hobbyists in the Pittsburgh area since that very first day.  Whether discussing the shimmering iridescence of a ruby-throated hummingbird or the return of the dark-eyed juncos or "snowbirds" that spend the Winter with us here in Pittsburgh, it is clear that visitors are as passionate about their feathered friends as I am.  It is a joy to open the shop each day!

In addition to opening The Songbird Sanctuary, my love of birds and nature has led me to many other endeavors...

  • Maintaining a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.  My property provides wildlife with food, water, shelter, and places to raise young.   

  • Maintaining a Certified Monarch Waystation through the Monarch Watch program of the University of Kansas.  My  waystation provides milkweeds, nectar sources, and shelter needed to sustain monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America.

  • Maintaining a 1,000-gallon pond where koi, comets, shubunkins, frogs, and toads reside and squirrels, chipmunks, birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies, turtles, and the occassional heron visit.   

  • Wildlife gardening on my 2-acre, semi-wooded property where I can often be found outside with my camera on our trails rambling through the woods or at the pond.

  • Keeping a nature journal.  For me, nature journaling is a way of escaping to a place where day-to-day responsibilities take a back seat to quiet observation of the natural world, contemplation, reflection, and renewal.  One needn't be a writer or an artist to keep a natural journal.  One needs only to have the curiosity and desire to explore his or her connection to the natural world.


Thank you very much for your interest.  I hope to see you at The Songbird Sanctuary soon!

Enjoy the birds,
Janet Bronder
Having served
Opening day!
Opening day!Opening day!Opening day!
Opening day!
Male Downy Woodpeckers sport red spots on the backs of their heads. Female's don't.
Website designed & hosted by The Songbird Sanctuary LLC     2008         
©
With late-night Primanti's sandwiches eaten on drop cloths, backaches, blisters, and a puppy wearing Benjamin Moore's "Juniper" paint all behind us, we were ready.