Urban Wildlife & Backyard Birds: A Night with Author Melissa Penney

Earlier this year in March, Windsor Park was thrilled to host a packed-out event featuring local author and bird enthusiast Melissa Penney. The evening, part of our Sustainability  series, brought neighbours together to learn how we can all help support wildlife – especially birds – right here in our own yards.

Melissa shared practical tips and inspiring stories from her journey creating a bird-friendly backyard, sparking conversations about native plants, feeder choices, and the surprising impact of everyday decisions like window coverings and pet care.

Following her engaging talk and Q&A, Melissa’s newly released book quickly flew off the table – literally. Guests were eager to grab a signed copy of A Playground for Birds: How to Turn Your Yard into an Avian Oasis.

We caught up with Melissa after the event for a quick follow-up interview:

What inspired you to write your book?

I had been thinking about writing for a while. When I tried to find local info on how to attract birds to my yard, I just couldn’t find anything that brought it all together. Once I figured out what was working for me—what was drawing birds in—I realized it could be helpful for others too. So I put it all in one place.

What’s the easiest way to support native birds in our own backyards?

The key word is native. A lot of people don’t realize House Sparrows are invasive and make it hard for native birds to nest. So, the first step is to stop supporting House Sparrows. Then, you can help native birds by providing clean water, planting native plants to bring in insects, and making your yard a safe place to nest.

What are the biggest risks to native birds in Edmonton?

Roaming cats are a huge problem—they kill over 100 million birds in Canada every year. Window strikes are another big one, killing 16 to 42 million. But both issues are fixable. Keep cats indoors and treat your windows. I use Feather Friendly markers on mine and haven’t had a single bird strike since.

Melissa’s insights left many of us thinking differently about how even a small yard can make a big difference.

Her book, A Playground for Birds, is now available through her website, at Audreys Books, and Wild Birds Unlimited. Whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned birder, it’s full of helpful, local knowledge for creating your own backyard bird haven.

Thanks again to Melissa for sharing her passion and to everyone who joined us for a cozy, informative evening. Stay tuned for more Urban Wildlife Backyards events coming soon!