LOVE IS IN THE AIR
We know what you're thinking. This is going to be some shameless plug about Valentine's Day (it's Thursday, 2/14) and what great gifts we have for the bird lover in your life (we do--lots of them), but this is more about getting ready for spring and therefore mating season for North Carolina songbirds.
While it may not feel like it right now, spring is not far away. The birds know it and many are starting to prepare for it, and so should you.
If you didn't do it back in the fall, now is the time to clean out your birdhouses, make sure they are in good repair and mounted on sturdy poles. A lot of customers are reporting bluebird activity at their feeders and their nesting boxes. Although it's still a bit early for them to actually start nesting, they are shopping around and making notes on the most desirable locations in the area.
How can you get on the list of "desirable locations"? First, clean and sturdy, as discussed above. Secondly, ensure that the entrance hole isfacing south or east (or southeast). For bluebirds, the nesting box needs to be mounted on a pole (not hanging!) in an open area, facing a wide expanse of openness. He likes to sit on top of the house, with a nice 360 degree view of his territory, and she wants to sit in the box, with a view to the south with no trees or large shrubs.
These are the best guidelines for attracting bluebirds. We know that for every rule, there will be someone who says "my bluebirds love my hanging house" or "my bluebird house is on a tree and has bluebirds every year," but if you want to give yourself the best chance of a breeding pair of these gorgeous birds, these guidelines will give you the best chance for success!
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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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)
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!