The activity at your feeders has like mine, significantly diminished over the last week or so. This is normal. The majority of the Pine Siskins and the Common Redpolls have returned to their breeding grounds in Canada. Sure will miss them! Don't worry though, soon to come are scads of American Goldfinches, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, House Finches, Purple Finches and our favorite Indigo Bunting.
Dan Belter, president of the Wausau Bird Club stopped by D.C. Everest park and here's his bird sighting report: "As soon as I pulled into the parking lot I could see out on the lake ice, next to the open water, large "white" lumps packed in a group. I knew right away these were Tundra Swans and when I raised my binoculars, there they were, about 50 of them. Other new arrivals for me were; Canvasback (6) and Red-breasted Mergansers (2). Waterfowl variety is increasing, and will continue to do
so as the lake opens up more."
If you have time, grab your binocs - the spring show is underway!! If you have questions or are wondering where the park is, you can e-mail me at wbuwausau@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Eaglets at Norfolk Botanical Gardens Have Hatched!
Wow - it's been incredible to watch the adults shift and move on the nest and now to see them feed the babies. There are now two and hopefully the third will hatch shortly.
The parents are so careful when they are moving around in the nest. Hard to believe those little fluff balls can become such an awesome bird!!
http://www.wvec.com/cams/eagle.html
The parents are so careful when they are moving around in the nest. Hard to believe those little fluff balls can become such an awesome bird!!
http://www.wvec.com/cams/eagle.html
Monday, March 16, 2009
More Signs of Spring
I saw a couple of Red-winged Blackbirds yesterday and today I had no less than five calling away in the back of the store.
The robin I saw in the yard yesterday was out there today singing away - a great way to start out my morning!
No sign of any bluebirds near the nest boxes yet. Last year I didn't see them until April 11th so I'm hoping it will be earlier this year.
Are you seeing anything different at your feeders or out on the road?
Dan Belter, president of the Wausau Bird Club informed us of the presence of the Peregrine Falcon out near the Weston power plant. Sure hope they have a successful brood this year!
The robin I saw in the yard yesterday was out there today singing away - a great way to start out my morning!
No sign of any bluebirds near the nest boxes yet. Last year I didn't see them until April 11th so I'm hoping it will be earlier this year.
Are you seeing anything different at your feeders or out on the road?
Dan Belter, president of the Wausau Bird Club informed us of the presence of the Peregrine Falcon out near the Weston power plant. Sure hope they have a successful brood this year!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
American Robins and Eastern Bluebird!!
Well, the sure signs of spring are popping up all over. Customers are beginning to see lots of American Robins (watch the crabapple and mountain ash trees) and the first report of an Eastern Bluebird came in today.
The bluebird was a male and was sighted near Wausau West highschool. Start watching the power lines for them and if you fed them and/or provided nestboxes last year, watch for them!
The bluebird was a male and was sighted near Wausau West highschool. Start watching the power lines for them and if you fed them and/or provided nestboxes last year, watch for them!
Friday, March 6, 2009
That Time Of Year Again - Responsible Bird Feeding
Are You A "Responsible" Birdfeeder?
If you enjoy feeding and watching your backyard birds, then you probably want to do as much as you can to practice your hobby safely and ensure the birds’ overall health and well-being. Just as people can catch colds or other illnesses from people who are sick, birds that feed at crowded or dirty feeders have the potential to develop diseases that are harmful to them.
While the incidence of birds falling ill from feeders is small compared to other natural hazards birds face, there are things you can do to help your birds stay healthy:
1. Provide multiple feeding stations in different areas of your yard to disperse bird activity. Crowding at the feeder - which is a more common occurrence in winter months - can cause stress that may make birds more vulnerable to disease.
2. Clean your feeders more frequently and keep areas under and around the feeders clean.
3. Keep seed clean and dry and watch that it doesn't get moldy. Offer only fresh seed.
4. Dry rake or use other methods to keep the area around your feeder clean.
5. Provide seeds from a feeder rather than broadcasting/scattering seed on the ground.
6. If possible, move your feeding stations periodically, so there will be less concentration of bird droppings.
7. If you find a dead bird near the feeder that has not been killed by a predator, disinfect the feeders with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.
8. Always wash your hands after filling or cleaning your feeders.
9. Place birdfeeders in locations that do not provide hiding places for cats and other predators to wait to ambush the feeder. Birdfeeders should be placed at least 10' to 12' from low shrubs or bushes that provide cover.
Thanks for your help in keeping our feathered friends healthy and safe!
If you enjoy feeding and watching your backyard birds, then you probably want to do as much as you can to practice your hobby safely and ensure the birds’ overall health and well-being. Just as people can catch colds or other illnesses from people who are sick, birds that feed at crowded or dirty feeders have the potential to develop diseases that are harmful to them.
While the incidence of birds falling ill from feeders is small compared to other natural hazards birds face, there are things you can do to help your birds stay healthy:
1. Provide multiple feeding stations in different areas of your yard to disperse bird activity. Crowding at the feeder - which is a more common occurrence in winter months - can cause stress that may make birds more vulnerable to disease.
2. Clean your feeders more frequently and keep areas under and around the feeders clean.
3. Keep seed clean and dry and watch that it doesn't get moldy. Offer only fresh seed.
4. Dry rake or use other methods to keep the area around your feeder clean.
5. Provide seeds from a feeder rather than broadcasting/scattering seed on the ground.
6. If possible, move your feeding stations periodically, so there will be less concentration of bird droppings.
7. If you find a dead bird near the feeder that has not been killed by a predator, disinfect the feeders with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.
8. Always wash your hands after filling or cleaning your feeders.
9. Place birdfeeders in locations that do not provide hiding places for cats and other predators to wait to ambush the feeder. Birdfeeders should be placed at least 10' to 12' from low shrubs or bushes that provide cover.
Thanks for your help in keeping our feathered friends healthy and safe!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Selfish Plug
Hello everyone,
We're having our annual birdfeeder sale here in the store from March 6-16. We send out flyers to our customers unfortunately, the printer goofed and sent out the Oakdale, New York flyer instead stating that the sale goes all month long. So sorry for the inconvenience.
Here is the commercial that is slated to start running tomorrow on channel 9. If you'd like to get the sale prices before it starts, just mention that you saw my blog and I'll honor those prices!
We're having our annual birdfeeder sale here in the store from March 6-16. We send out flyers to our customers unfortunately, the printer goofed and sent out the Oakdale, New York flyer instead stating that the sale goes all month long. So sorry for the inconvenience.
Here is the commercial that is slated to start running tomorrow on channel 9. If you'd like to get the sale prices before it starts, just mention that you saw my blog and I'll honor those prices!
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