What's for Breakfast?

Come to enjoy #Breakfastwiththebirds

219-759-4274

Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa

#Valparaiso IN

Songbird Spa services will lead you to a blissful state of mind. Our customized massages begin with an aroma sensory journey and include, but are not limited to Swedish, Deep Tissue and Reflexology. Our treatments will relieve your tension and stress throughout the body and promote emotional calm, removing toxins from the body, improving sleep and elevating your immune system. Thoroughly trained professionals will consult with you to match your health and energy goals with the most beneficial treatment. Couples massage $198.00 plus gratuity songbirdprairie.com 219.759.4274

 Incredible Trips In Indiana That Will Change Your Life

There’s No Attraction In The World Quite Like This One In Indiana

The Indiana Dunes and Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa

Seeing and exploring the world is a great goal – but you also want to make sure you explore all that Indiana has to offer. There are incredible trips to some of the most amazing parts of our state.
Most people have heard of the dunes, but there are still so many Hoosiers who have never been in person. The gorgeous waters and incredible beaches are so unique, you have to take advantage of this hidden gem. Plus, the dunes are gorgeous any time of year!
If you've never seen the Dunes in person, you'll be shocked to find something so unique and breathtaking in the Hoosier state. The Dunes will make you feel as if you've been transported to coastal Maine and at times, are so unearthly stunning, you'll believe you've stepped onto another planet.
The Indiana Dunes are home to over 50 miles of trails that cut through sand, grass, and rugged turf. Along these popular hiking trails, you'll find campsites, eye-catching wetlands, serene forests, stunning prairie lands, and charming rivers. You'll also encounter a wide variety of wildlife.
One thing's for certain; this ecological marvel is completely unlike any other place in the world. We're lucky to have such a rare find in our own backyards!
You can find the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore at: 1215 North Indiana State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304.For more tips on how to plan out your trip, visit their official website. www.indianadunes.com
songbirdprairie.com #breakfastwiththebirds #birdmigration #birds #birding #birdwatching #nature #wildlife  #birdphotography #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #sunbird

Nesting birds need our help—particularly those birds that nest in cavities, such as nest boxes, woodpecker holes, and other natural holes in trees. Competition among birds for limited nest sites is fierce, especially from aggressive non-native starlings and house sparrows. You can help native nesting birds by being an informed, conscientious landlord. We’ve compiled some useful tips, information, and resources to guide you as you help nesting birds in your backyard and beyond. We hope you will find this e-guide helpful.
 At Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa, we host many species of birds in our boxes. Such as swallows, bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens.

https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/help-nesting-birds-right-way.php

AFTERNOON TEA AT SONGBIRD PRAIRIE INN AND SPA

Requires 6 person minimum choose Wednesday or Thursday afternoon 

please call to inquire about another day other than what is listed

219-759-4274 songbirdprairie.com 

Ovenbird is “hot” at Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast

visit Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa in  #ValparaisoIN

The ovenbird is a warbler that looks like a small speckled thrush. Thus deep forest bird only thrives where forest remain in large blocks, probably because if clearings are nearby, there are more nest predators and parasitic brown-headed cowbirds. Although spotting the forest dwelling ovenbird takes patience, the bird’s TEAcher-TEAcher-TEAcher-TEAcher song is distinctive and rings through the woods in spring and summer. A good look at the ovenbirds head will help you differentiate it from larger thrushes and same-sized water thrushes. The wide, white eye ring is the first clue. The water thrushes lack this, having instead a white stripe running from above the eye to the back of the head. Several species of brown-backed thrushes have eye rings that are not as pronounced. Thrushes hop and feed at one moment still, then dashing; the oven bird walks methodically. The ovenbird has neat “stripes” or spots running down its breast, while the thrushes are more randomly speckled underneath.

While not always visible, the ovenbird’s black-bordered, orange crown patch is diagnostic field mark.

Ovenbirds nest in mature deciduous or mixed deciduous and pine forests, but they can appear in any habitat during spring and fall migration. Most winter in Mexico and Central America and on the Caribbean Islands. Forests that host nesting ovenbirds have a thick layer of dry leaf litter beneath them, providing the birds with feeding and nesting opportunities. The ovenbird quietly chugs along the leafy forest floor, walking and looking for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, such as earthworms and snails, among the leaves littering the ground. This bird is named for its domed nest, which usually sits on the ground, and is so well camouflaged with dead leaves that you can easily walk past with out noticing it. Although leaves help conceal the nest, the female ovenbird constructs the nest structure using grassed, bark and other materials. There is a side entrance for stealthy exit and entry. Inside, the female lays four or five eggs and incubates them for up to two weeks. Both parents, feed the young. They leave the nest after about a week, but they are still fed by the adults for about two weeks afterward.

If you have a well-treed backyard with ample leaf litter, you may spot a foraging ovenbird walking your woods during migration. If you hear the ovenbird’s loud song, watch for it on a low to mid-height perch or foraging on the ground. You will hear the teacher teacher teacher of the oven bird resounding through the woods here at Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast Inn and Spa.

At songbird Prairie we carry a "flame" for the Northern Flicker

Visit our Inn and Spa at songbirdprairie.com

One of our favorite birds, a familiar and fairly large (13 inches long) woodpecker, the northern flicker is a distinctively marked bird that unlike other woodpeckers is often seen foraging on the ground. The Eastern form of the flicker is known as the yellow-shafted flicker for it’s bright lemon-yellow underwing and tail color. The field marks are bright yellow wing flashes, white rump, spotted breast, and barred back. It is not easily confused with any other bird. In the east, both male and female have a red crescent on the back of of the head, but only the male shows a black “moustache” mark on the cheek. The flicker has several calls including a single note kleer, a short wickawickaseries, and a monotonous wickwickwickwick song. It also communicates by drumming on the resonating surface of a tree, pole, or even metal downspouts and chimney flues. The flicker is widespread across Northern America. We see them all spring, summer and fall here at Songbird Prairie Inn and Spa, Valparaiso, Indiana. They are found everywhere wooded habitats exist though open woods and woodland edges are preferred. Songbird Prairie is a certified wildlife habitat. Flickers migrate southward in winter. Flickers feed on the ground where they specialize in eating ants. A flicker pokes its long bill into an anthill and uses it’s lone, sticky tongue to extract the ants. They also eat other insects, as well as fruits and seeds. At bird feeders, they will eat suet, peanuts, fruits, and sunflower bits.
Excavating a new nest cavity almost every year, flickers perform a much needed service for may other hole nesting birds from chickadee to ducks that use old flicker nests. Both the male and female excavate the nest cavity in a dead tree or branch. The female lays between 5 and 10 eggs both share the 11 day incubation period. Young flickers leave the nest after about 25 days. Flickers use nest boxes with an interior floor of 7 x 7 inches, and interior height of 16-24 inches and a 2 1/2 inch entry hole. Because excavation is a vital part of courtship, boxes packed full of wood chips are more attractive. Competition for cavities from European starlings is fierce and may be causing a decline in flickers. Offering suet, corn or peanuts and nest boxes in your wooded backyard is one way to attract flickers. Equally important is the presence of ground dwelling insects (leave those non threatening anthills alone) and dead trees or dead branches. A large dead tree branch placed vertically in your yard may entice a flicker to stop. As you walk the grounds of Songbird Prairie’s 6 acres, you will find may dead trees left to entice all species of woodpeckers.
Come to Northern Indiana to discover the Northern Flicker.

Here Are The 10 Best Places In Indiana To Raise A Family

Being someone who was born and raised in Indiana and is now raising a family of her own, I think anywhere in Indiana is a great place to raise a family. However, there is no denying some towns and cities are better than others within our beautiful state. Keep in mind, I’m just one person and you may or may not agree with my opinions. But, I do go digging for statistics and figures when I compile these lists. I don’t just pull these names out of a hat. I promise. Anyway, here are the best places in Indiana to raise a family.

9. Valparaiso

Valparaiso is a town that comes highly recommended by some of our readers. This is why I decided to include it. It's a small and comfortable town that has fantastic schools. It's also significantly more affordable than some of the other towns and cities on this list. You're also pretty close to Chicago if you fancy a trip!

WHAT IS THE POPUP?!

A Valparaiso Art Experience, is a regional art competition brought to you by Valparaiso Events.

During this art exhibition, Valparaiso will become an artistic playground where anyone can find a form of art that inspires or spurs conversations about what art is and why it matters. Each day the community will be engaged with displays of both the visual and performing arts. Artwork from around the region will “pop-up” in neighborhood businesses for all to enjoy.  There is sure to be dynamic events available for all ages. Each Venue is a voting station allowing you to help select the winner of the People’s Choice Award! Then come back to the Inn to relax. songbirdprairie.com

songbirdprairie.com

HIMALAYAN SALT LAMPS

Himalayan Salt Lamps from Songbird Prairie Boutique emit a soft, therapeutic glow while naturally purifying the air. These lamps naturally reduce dust and allergens from the air, and provide a natural-feeling light source that is beautiful in the daytime, and works well as a nightlight.

Himalayan Salt Crystals- A large inland sea, buried by mountains and slowly dehydrated thousands of years ago, is the source for pure Himalayan Salt. The salt mines are believed to have been discovered by Alexander the Great in 326 AD in what is now northeast Pakistan.

Himalayan salt crystals contain high amounts of trace minerals, and emit energizing negative ions when warmed. These are the same ions found in naturally rejuvenating sources like beaches, mountains, and waterfalls. They have an energizing effect and can improve mood. Negative ions can also help counteract the positive ions emitted from devices such as phones and computers, neutralizing them and freshening the air.

• Positive ions in the air can be carried by water molecules.
• Salt is hygroscopic, which means it naturally attracts water molecules from the air.
• As salt crystals are warmed by the bulb, the collected water molecules evaporate, helping to neutralize the positive ions trapped in them.
• The warming bulb illuminates the crystals to create a soothing, therapeutic glow.

Spa Services and Lunch

Schedule a massages and/or facials in our spa and lunch in our sunroom, where songbirds serenade and entertain.



Services will start around 11:00 am with relaxation for 30 minutes, your service for 60 minutes and your lunch for 60 minutes. choose an apple salad or an avocado salad with bread and dessert. Massage, gratuity and lunch $135.00 Call to reserve your time today! 219-759-4274

Indiana Dunes Birding Festival

The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is an annual event hosted by the Indiana Audubon Society that showcases the abundance of migratory birds in the Indiana Dunes. May 17-20

Birding in the Indiana Dunes is the best the state has to offer. With its rich biodiversity, varying habitats and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the Indiana Dunes is a hotspot for migrant  birds. The annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is held to celebrate the dunes area’s various birding habitats and bird watching opportunities to create a positive impact on the economic, conservation, and environmental education for visitors and residents to the Indiana Dunes region. See our Current News for the latest updates on the upcoming year's festival!

Spa Services and Lunch

Schedule a massages and/or facials in our spa and lunch in our sunroom, where songbirds serenade and entertain.
Services will start around 11:00 am with relaxation for 30 minutes, your service for 60 minutes and your lunch for 60 minutes. choose an apple salad or an avocado salad with bread and dessert. Massage, gratuity and lunch $135.00 Call to reserve your time today! 219-759-4274