SPRING CHECKLIST
Spring is a busy time for birders! Not only do we have the normal spring cleaning chores that regular people do, it is a busy bird time that requires some extra effort. So here's an easy check list of things you need to do to best enjoy this exciting time!
CLEAN FEEDERS
Feeders should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they are not spreading disease. Now is the time to take your feeders apart, throw the pieces in a bucket with water and about a cup of white vinegar and let them soak for an hour or more. Scrub them well, rinse and set out in the sunshine to dry well. Reassemble and fill with fresh seed. Grab a sweet tea or a cold beer and sit back and watch the birds return, and keep your eyes peeled for migrants moving through.
CLEAN FEEDERS
Feeders should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they are not spreading disease. Now is the time to take your feeders apart, throw the pieces in a bucket with water and about a cup of white vinegar and let them soak for an hour or more. Scrub them well, rinse and set out in the sunshine to dry well. Reassemble and fill with fresh seed. Grab a sweet tea or a cold beer and sit back and watch the birds return, and keep your eyes peeled for migrants moving through.
HUMMINGBIRDS
Make some nectar (four parts water, one part white cane sugar) and set
aside to dissolve. Go find wherever it was that you stored your hummingbird feeder last year. Wash it with water and white vinegar and then rinse well. Once nectar is dissolved, fill up your feeder and hang it where you can enjoy it (at our place it is on the window). Grab a sweet tea or a glass of wine and sit back and wait for the hummers to arrive.
Make some nectar (four parts water, one part white cane sugar) and set
aside to dissolve. Go find wherever it was that you stored your hummingbird feeder last year. Wash it with water and white vinegar and then rinse well. Once nectar is dissolved, fill up your feeder and hang it where you can enjoy it (at our place it is on the window). Grab a sweet tea or a glass of wine and sit back and wait for the hummers to arrive.
WOODPECKERS
Yes, we know they are drumming on your gutters. And on the light pole at the street. And the metal flashing around your fireplace. Its spring and they are looking for love in all the loudest places! When you're a woodpecker, being loud is a sign of virility and a good provider and these resourceful birds have figured out that metal speaks louder that wood! So grab a sweet tea or a margarita and turn up the TV and wait them out. As soon as they find the girl, they will stop the noise and start building a nesting cavity for the new family.
Yes, we know they are drumming on your gutters. And on the light pole at the street. And the metal flashing around your fireplace. Its spring and they are looking for love in all the loudest places! When you're a woodpecker, being loud is a sign of virility and a good provider and these resourceful birds have figured out that metal speaks louder that wood! So grab a sweet tea or a margarita and turn up the TV and wait them out. As soon as they find the girl, they will stop the noise and start building a nesting cavity for the new family.
BIRDS AND THEIR REFLECTIONS
Male birds everywhere are putting on their most colorful, attractive attire, hoping to catch the attention of a female with which they will pair this season. The warmer weather and lengthening days are a signal that it is time to set up a territory, find suitable accommodations and get down to the business of raising the next generation. In the process of defending their territories, they sometimes mistake their own reflections in your windows or car mirrors for competition and spend a lot of time fighting with themselves. This can be annoying as well as messy. You can use mylar ribbons, put paper on the outside of the windows or spray a soapy film on the windows to keep them from seeing their reflections. With car mirrors, tie a bag around the whole mirror.
It may also help to get a cheap mirror and set it up nearby under a bush or near a tree. Hopefully he will spend time fighting with himself there instead of against your windows. Then grab a sweet tea or a martini and watch him fight himself until he finds a mate, then the show will probably be over, but a whole new one will begin if they choose your nesting box!
Male birds everywhere are putting on their most colorful, attractive attire, hoping to catch the attention of a female with which they will pair this season. The warmer weather and lengthening days are a signal that it is time to set up a territory, find suitable accommodations and get down to the business of raising the next generation. In the process of defending their territories, they sometimes mistake their own reflections in your windows or car mirrors for competition and spend a lot of time fighting with themselves. This can be annoying as well as messy. You can use mylar ribbons, put paper on the outside of the windows or spray a soapy film on the windows to keep them from seeing their reflections. With car mirrors, tie a bag around the whole mirror.
It may also help to get a cheap mirror and set it up nearby under a bush or near a tree. Hopefully he will spend time fighting with himself there instead of against your windows. Then grab a sweet tea or a martini and watch him fight himself until he finds a mate, then the show will probably be over, but a whole new one will begin if they choose your nesting box!
ENJOY THE MIGRANTS
The prospect of seeing the beautiful neo-tropical migrants at the feeders is one of the joys of spring. Keep those feeders filled with fresh seed. One feeder with white millet will help your chances of attracting an Indigo Bunting (or you can go on our Indigo walk--details below). The bigger the variety of feeders and a variety of food will bring a larger variety of birds. Set the table for them all, grab a sweet tea or a mimosa and relax and enjoy the show!
The prospect of seeing the beautiful neo-tropical migrants at the feeders is one of the joys of spring. Keep those feeders filled with fresh seed. One feeder with white millet will help your chances of attracting an Indigo Bunting (or you can go on our Indigo walk--details below). The bigger the variety of feeders and a variety of food will bring a larger variety of birds. Set the table for them all, grab a sweet tea or a mimosa and relax and enjoy the show!
The Orioles Are Still Here
Customers are still reporting orioles, so don't give up hope if you haven't seen one yet.
Impale half an orange on a tree branch or place in a platform feeder. Sunflower chips and suet are also irresistible for orioles, warblers and kinglets that are also here in the winter. Grape jelly can be served in a small dish near the feeders. (Some people use a hollowed-out orange peel)
Customers are still reporting orioles, so don't give up hope if you haven't seen one yet.
Impale half an orange on a tree branch or place in a platform feeder. Sunflower chips and suet are also irresistible for orioles, warblers and kinglets that are also here in the winter. Grape jelly can be served in a small dish near the feeders. (Some people use a hollowed-out orange peel)
Chances are, if you feed the goldfinch, you are in one of two camps: You are covered up in them and complaining about how much seed they are eating; or you haven't seen any and are wondering where they are.
So, what's going on? Goldfinch are movers and shakers, that's what! They move around in flocks looking for food, so if they haven't found you yet, chances are they have found a good feeding spot somewhere.
They need lots of seed and get most of their protein from seed like sunflower chips.
If you haven't seen them yet, don't despair! They are in the area in large numbers, so its just a matter of time until they find you. Make sure your feeders are filled with fresh thistle (nyjer) because they are picky birds and will not eat stale seed!
So, what's going on? Goldfinch are movers and shakers, that's what! They move around in flocks looking for food, so if they haven't found you yet, chances are they have found a good feeding spot somewhere.
They need lots of seed and get most of their protein from seed like sunflower chips.
If you haven't seen them yet, don't despair! They are in the area in large numbers, so its just a matter of time until they find you. Make sure your feeders are filled with fresh thistle (nyjer) because they are picky birds and will not eat stale seed!
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Another trick of the trade is to use our Finch Favorite blend. It is a mixture of thistle and sunflower chips.
Fill your feeders half way until you start seeing them at your feeders, then fill the rest of the way. Doing this will keep you from wasting seed in case they don't find it right away. |
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VISIT OUR SECOND LOCATION AT THE WAVERLY SHOPPING CENTER
PROVIDENCE ROAD AND 485
7211 WAVERLY WALK AVENUE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28277
704-443-9000 GOWILDOLOGY.COM
MON-SAT 10AM-6PM
SUNDAY NOON-5PM
PROVIDENCE ROAD AND 485
7211 WAVERLY WALK AVENUE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28277
704-443-9000 GOWILDOLOGY.COM
MON-SAT 10AM-6PM
SUNDAY NOON-5PM
NATIVE PLANT DATABASE BY ZIPCODE!
Many of you know that Bird House is a proud corporate sponsor of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation which is the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. Both organizations are big proponents of planting with native plants in order to help create wildlife habitat, especially if you are trying to attract birds.
Identifying wildlife-friendly native plants has never been easier with a new tool that the National Wildlife Federation recently launched in partnership with Dr. Doug Tallamy and based on his research.
To use this database with native plants for your area, follow this link, enter your zip code, and explore the listing of plants to start planning the bird sanctuary that you want to create!
And its not just birds! There is also a database of the butterflies and moths for your zip code and the host plant needed for the caterpillar stage to ensure your garden will be filled with these beautiful pollinators.
This is a wonderful resource for you to use to help restore some of the wildlife habitat we are losing to development. The website is free but we hope you will consider support both organizations and the work they do protecting the wild lives and wild places we all love!
Many of you know that Bird House is a proud corporate sponsor of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation which is the state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. Both organizations are big proponents of planting with native plants in order to help create wildlife habitat, especially if you are trying to attract birds.
Identifying wildlife-friendly native plants has never been easier with a new tool that the National Wildlife Federation recently launched in partnership with Dr. Doug Tallamy and based on his research.
To use this database with native plants for your area, follow this link, enter your zip code, and explore the listing of plants to start planning the bird sanctuary that you want to create!
And its not just birds! There is also a database of the butterflies and moths for your zip code and the host plant needed for the caterpillar stage to ensure your garden will be filled with these beautiful pollinators.
This is a wonderful resource for you to use to help restore some of the wildlife habitat we are losing to development. The website is free but we hope you will consider support both organizations and the work they do protecting the wild lives and wild places we all love!
Birding by ear. There's an app for that!
We've all been waiting for it and its finally here! A Shazam app for bird songs. (For the uninitiated, the Shazam app will identify the song that is playing in a restaurant, elevator -- pretty much anywhere)
Song Sleuth is an app for your smart phone that will allow you to identify the birds your hear in your garden. Here is what their website says about it:
"Song Sleuth is a fun and easy way to learn birding by ear. Everywhere you go, Song Sleuth can listen to the birds singing around you, and instantly show you the most likely bird species that it heard. The app provides all the tools you need to determine which is the correct bird. Save and share your recordings, and learn about each bird with the built-in David Sibley Bird Reference."
We've all been waiting for it and its finally here! A Shazam app for bird songs. (For the uninitiated, the Shazam app will identify the song that is playing in a restaurant, elevator -- pretty much anywhere)
Song Sleuth is an app for your smart phone that will allow you to identify the birds your hear in your garden. Here is what their website says about it:
"Song Sleuth is a fun and easy way to learn birding by ear. Everywhere you go, Song Sleuth can listen to the birds singing around you, and instantly show you the most likely bird species that it heard. The app provides all the tools you need to determine which is the correct bird. Save and share your recordings, and learn about each bird with the built-in David Sibley Bird Reference."
BIG NEWS!
Bird House on the Greenway was recently named SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR by Mecklenburg County's Solid Waste Department!
Since before we opened, we have worked hard to minimize our impact on the environment, reduce our carbon footprint and work with the community to promote sustainable practices, and its nice that they noticed.
We were honored along with 7 other local businesses at a banquet at the Foundation for the Carolinas. Melinda Johnston, of the Charlotte Observer, wrote a great article on our efforts. Here's a link to her article.
Please take a minute and watch the short video that they produced about our store. Congratulations Bird House Team!!!
Bird House on the Greenway was recently named SUSTAINABLE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR by Mecklenburg County's Solid Waste Department!
Since before we opened, we have worked hard to minimize our impact on the environment, reduce our carbon footprint and work with the community to promote sustainable practices, and its nice that they noticed.
We were honored along with 7 other local businesses at a banquet at the Foundation for the Carolinas. Melinda Johnston, of the Charlotte Observer, wrote a great article on our efforts. Here's a link to her article.
Please take a minute and watch the short video that they produced about our store. Congratulations Bird House Team!!!
We were recently invited to appear on the Fabulous Francene Marie show to talk about the birds and the bees (and butterflies). It was a great conversation with a great lady! We hope she invites us back soon. Here's a link to the show in case you missed it.
We're not your average wild bird products store. In addition to one-of-kind products we provide excellent customer service, great education and answers for all of your questions. Try our custom seed mix, Greenway Blend. It's especially formulated for the birds in this region. Each bag of Greenway Blend was packaged just days prior to your purchase. That's not the case with seed you purchase at your local grocery store or big box center. There is no better bird seed in Charlotte. We have a great selection of bird houses, bird feeders, bird guides, garden art and wonderful nature inspired gifts. We have National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat Stewards on staff that can answer your questions and help you create the wildlife habitat in your backyard you've always wanted. If you're having problems with squirrels we can help you defeat them with squirrel-proof feeders that really work or pole & squirrel-proof baffle set-ups that will keep them off your feeding pole or post. Follow us on Facebook and/or sign up for our email newsletter below so you can learn and stay up to date on what's happening at the store. Once a month our newsletter subscribers can take 10% off regularly priced items, once per month. Learn more about birds and wildlife as well as all of our activities. Throughout the year we have various bird walks and frog walks on the Four Mile Creek Greenway across the street from the store. We also visit Latta Park and the Six Mile Creek Greenway at different times.. So whether you want to attract more birds, or different birds, fight squirrels, improve your backyard for wildlife we can help. We can't wait to see you!