This entry was posted on 3/1/2008 11:40 AM and is filed under Newsletters.
Hello, Welcome to our March, 2008 newsletter. We have some new things going on here at The Wild Bird and thought we would pass the news along.
The Hummers Are Coming! Today is the first of March and I am reminded that it is time to start setting out our hummingbird feeders. Bob Morse, author of Birds of the Puget Sound Region, has said that he puts his hummer feeders out right around Valentine’s Day. That way, he has them out to help nourish any early migrants on their way north. So, pull out your feeders, give them a good cleaning, and set them out in your yard. As always you can pop into The Wild Bird and pick up a new feeder or a box of instant nectar. Or, you can simply make your own nectar out of water and table sugar. Just mix in a ratio of 4:1 (4 parts water to 1 part sugar), boil until clear, and cool. You can also help the birds to find your feeder by tying out a length of red ribbon near your feeder and let it flutter in the wind. The movement and color can catch a hummer’s eye and help them to find a new source of food.
Mealworms…It’s What’s For Dinner Folks lucky enough to have Bluebirds come to the yards have often fed them mealworms. The birds absolutely love them and have been known to look forward to the worms (actually, beetle larvae) so much that they will flock the feeder when they hear the back door close. From what I can tell the feeding of mealworms has never been a big deal here in the Puget Sound Area. We may not have the Bluebirds but we do have many other insect lovers. Our woodpeckers, chickadees, robins, nuthatches and sparrows should all enjoy a nice mealworm dinner. I have taken home some dead mealworms (I have dried mealworms in a bag and plump ones from a can) and the birds did seem to enjoy them. Now, as a little experiment, I am going to bring some live mealworms into the shop. 500 of the worms, along with a little worm food, will come packed in each can. The mealworms will have a 7-day shelf life but will last quite a bit longer if kept in a cool place. We will have a special price on the live mealworms through all of March so come on in and give them a try. Your birds will thank you!
Seed Factory NW is Our New Seed Supplier I was having a few problems with my previous supplier of seed and seed mixes so I have decided to make a change. We are now buying just about all of our seed from Seed Factory NW. They are a local company (Kent, WA) who offer a quality product, great customer service and good prices. The packaging will look a little different but I think we have been able to maintain a nice selection of seed and mixes.
The Wild Bird Now Has an Online Store! I had considered moving The Wild Bird into a larger space. After much thought I decided that it would be hard to find another location with such easy access (once the road construction is finished!) and parking so close to our door. Instead, I have opened up an online store. Selling online allows me to offer products that I could never find room for here in the shop. There is only so much I can fit into 400 square feet. Click on over to www.thewildbird.net and take a look. You should find a lot of new products and we are adding more every day. Plus, orders over $75.00 always receive free shipping.
Volunteering at Poulsbo’s Fish Park is a Great Way to Give Back to the Community Have you been to Fish Park yet? It is still under development but is already a great place to go for a walk or to do a little bird watching. The park is right on Dogfish Creek and is located on Lindvig Way just downhill from the Cenex. The Fish Park Committee has volunteer work parties on the third Sunday of every month from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. Anyone can come down to help and all you need to bring is a pair of work gloves and a strong back. The Wild Bird has donated a rocket box (large bat house) to the park and we installed the footing for it during the February work party. The cement seems to be setting up nicely so I hope to actually raise the house in the next few weeks.
Nancy, Lili and I hope you are all doing well. See you soon!
