July 2008
Mealworms: Back in Stock!!!
In what may be perhaps only a temporary relief to the recent nationwide mealworm shortage, we were able to order a large batch of fresh, wriggly mealworms for your bluebirds! Available now!
Read up on your feathered friends with Jan's newspaper column
Those of you who subscribe to the St. Cloud times may have noticed Jan's bi-monthly birding column. If you haven't seen it, watch for it in the Life section on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month. A column also appears in the Hutchinson leader on the first Thursday of each month. Each column spotlights a new bird, aspect of bird watching and feeding, or something about birds and nature in your backyard. If you missed a few columns, no worries! We now have an archive of past articles available on the website. Click here!
.jpg)
Keep your lawn healthy, chemical free and safe for fledging baby birds- Mention this coupon, or print it up for 20% off any one Dr. Earth organic lawn care product. Limit 1. Expires 7/30/08 |
 | The e-newsletter is back in swing with this July's edition. Why the recent hiatus? Katy, who normally manages all web-based operations, was up at the Itasca biological research station taking a class in field ornithology (ornithology being the scientific study of birds). Out in the middle of the woods, the internet service is a bit choppy, which led to a lag in the newsletter. While there, Katy learned many field methods like bird censusing, surveying, mist netting, and banding. She even got to hold birds in the hand! To see photos and read more, click here. |
Baby Birds: How to help
With the late start many animals had this year, many baby birds from the years first brood may only now be fledging (leaving the nest). Unfortunately, the laws of nature only allow for a few baby birds to survive to adulthood, as they are faced with many perils including predators, starvation, and human interference. While these little guys are earning their flight feathers, you may want to consider the following:
If you find a baby bird on the ground, it may not need your help. Most times, it's just trying to learn how to fly, and taking it inside takes away its dreams of being sky-bound. So, the best thing is to leave it be- the parents will take care of it. However, keep cats inside and out of the area. Also, avoid treating your lawn with harmful chemical-based pesticides this time of year- birds skin is very sensitive and many chemicals can pass right through it. If your lawn needs maintenance, we have natural, organic, safe fertilizers and pesticides to use (and a coupon! see upper right). If you see the bird in the same exact place for over 24 hours, it may then need help which is best given by calling a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Feel free to call us if you're unsure about a baby bird situation- 320-252-5677.
E-News Archives
To follow up with the archive thought, past editions of this e-newsletter (to be followed with this edition and every after it) are now archived on the site as well. The coupons may have expired, but there's still valuable information in each one.
As always, be sure to keep checking up on www.wildbirdfeeding.net for more updates.
- Jan and Katy of the WBC Waite Park, your local birding experts