We are pretty sure that the first brood of hummingbird chicks are leaving the nest because customers are reporting an uptick in the traffic at their feeders.
Until the last week or so, you probably haven't seen a lot of activity but now that the first batch is leaving the nest, you will see more and more hummingbird action in your garden.
She will start another nest soon, but you can enjoy the young ones from the first brood until the second clutch leaves the nest in July.
Some of you have been worried about slow traffic so far this season, but there is usually a lull in activity at the feeders after they arrive in April because they are busy raising the little ones, feeding them primarily insects for the protein that they need to build muscle. But now that the chicks have fledged the nest, you will see the immatures (they look a lot like mom, with no red throat) lapping up nectar at the feeders regularly.
To encourage as much activity as possible, it is recommended that you change the nectar in your feeders regularly, every 2-4 days depending on the temperatures. If you hang your feeders in a shady place, it will help the nectar last a little longer.
The more feeders you provide, the more hummingbirds you will have. Space them 20-30 feet apart so one bird can't dominate them all.
Making your own nectar is the best and least expensive way to feed them. Four parts water to one part sugar--just plain white cane sugar (no honey or brown sugar)--and DON'T add any red dye to the liquid. Its unnecessary and not good for the birds.
If you are having trouble with squirrels drinking the nectar out of your feeders, try putting adish of plain water out for them. Although they do enjoy the sugar water, they are usually just looking for water.
Also,ensure your ant trap stays full of water too. The water is key to keeping ants of out of the nectar but often the goldfinch and other small birds drink the water from the traps.
The young hummingbirds are fearless so it is easy to get them to eat out of a feeder you are holding. It may take a little patience, but the experience is worth it, especially if you have kids or grandkids. Drop by the store and check out the handheld feeders we carry.
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."
NATURE VS TECHNOLOGY
Everyone knows about drug-sniffing dogs.
And the Navy uses dolphins and seals to help them locate and mark mines in the oceans.
Now, the French (and the Dutch) are using eagles to help locate and destroy drones that may be used by terrorists.
We've known all along that we can't live without nature, but the partnerships with these animals really demonstrates the wide variety of ways we benefit from wildlife!
Everyone knows about drug-sniffing dogs.
And the Navy uses dolphins and seals to help them locate and mark mines in the oceans.
Now, the French (and the Dutch) are using eagles to help locate and destroy drones that may be used by terrorists.
We've known all along that we can't live without nature, but the partnerships with these animals really demonstrates the wide variety of ways we benefit from wildlife!
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!
