Home › Archives for February 2010

The Journey North: Bird Migration Maps

Even though there is a foot of snow outside my window, I was asked several times last week about when different birds will start making their way north again.There are several neat websites that follow bird migration up to Michigan:The Journey North website studies wildlife migration and seasonal change. It tracks the...
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Some Native Sparrows

Though some native sparrows look similar, these sparrows have distinct differences.Chipping Sparrow• They must consume over two pounds of seeds through the course of winter to survive. With an average body weight of only 13 grams, this means that Chipping Sparrows consume over 70 times their own weight in seeds each winter.•...
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How Do I Start Bird Feeding?

As I wrote earlier, feeders come in a wide variety styles. The best feeder to begin birdfeeding is the one that caters to the birds that already find your yard a suitable habitat. Birds are sometimes wary of new feeders, however, by targeting birds that are already in the area, the time it takes birds to utilize the new...
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Nature will not be admired by proxy. ~Winston Churchill

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life." ~Rachel Car...
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Introducing the Effortless Birdfeeder™

This is a brand new feeder has been creating a lot of excitement with the customers at our Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing MI stores.I’ll let you be the judge if this revolutionary all-in-one feeder and stand fills your bird feeding needs.The features include: Easy Re-filling & Cleaning Squirrel Guard Keeps Critters...
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Black Squirrel History & Facts

We have lots of squirrels. I think I remember the black ones coming to the yard regularly in the 1980’s. Today I saw my first “gray” Gray Squirrel. If he mates with a black phase Gray Squirrel what color will the babies be this spring? Lansing, MIThe black squirrel, a melanistic subgroup of the of the common gray squirrel,...
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Will Hawks Eat My Dog?

Can anyone tell me what kind of hawk this is? I live in a suburban neighborhood with this hawk and a couple of it's family members. I and another neighbor worry about our small dogs. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!It looks like a Cooper's Hawk. I wrote an earlier blog about the bird at http://sheabirdno1.blogspot.com/2009/02/bird-of-week-cooperss-hawk.html.I'm...
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Which Way Do You Face a Birdhouse?

Is there a particular direction I'm suppose to face my new bluebird house? Julie in Mason, MIMy first response for the placement of a bird house was the same advice I give in the placement of bird feeders; put the houses where you can view them. After years of customer feedback I still give that advice but add that if...
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The Migration of Eastern Bluebirds

I was surprised that I’ve been feeding bluebirds all winter. Are the bluebirds that are eating from my feeders now going to be around during the nesting season or are they just here for the winter? Colin in DeWitt, MIThis was a very big winter for bluebird watchers in mid-Michigan. I’ve never ordered so many mealworms...
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The Season of Song Begins

You may have noticed that as it gets lighter earlier that the birds are beginning to sing more. What triggers this change in behavior?A key part of a bird’s brain is affected by seasonal change. When birds are exposed to longer days, the cells start to release a thyroid-stimulating hormone, previously associated only with...
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About Birdwatchers

“There has been a tremendous renaissance in nature study in recent years; it has been called a form of escapism, and perhaps it is in a way, but not an escape from reality; but rather, a return to reality; a flight from unreal things.” ~ Roger Tory Peter...
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Dryer Lint is a NO NO for Nesting Material

Offering birds construction material to build a nest is just one more way for you to attract a wider variety of bird activity to your yard. But I’ve been hearing several people say that they are saving their dryer lint for nesting material this spring.I’d like to say that we DO NOT recommend dryer lint. There may be perfumes...
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"Frisky" Fox Squirrels

I’ve created a situation here. I love, I love, I love my squirrels! I like how they dance around the yard and are so entertaining. Don’t get me wrong I love my birds but I’ve got these big brown squirrels trained to come up to the back door during breakfast and knock on the window for food. Now I’m a little worried because...
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How Birds Mate

As I wrote about before, most birds choose a single partner for the nesting period and some stay paired for their entire life. Courtship, generally the male’s responsibility, usually entails singing but can also consist of many other activities like drumming or dancing.During breeding season, the male's testes which lie...
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Do Birds Mate For Life?

In North America most birds form bonds for at least a single nesting. These pairings allow birds to split domestic duties for protecting eggs and caring for hatchlings.Other pair bonds include mating for life, either by pairing up again each breeding season or remaining with each other year-round. Cardinals, doves, and...
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Mystery bird: Orange-Crowned Warbler?

I'm wondering how many emails to you start with some variation of "Sorry for the poor quality of the picture..." So, sorry for the poor picture. I've been trying to get a photo of this one for some time, but it's very skittish. This was a rare convergence of "bird" & "camera already in hand." I had to tilt far...
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Interesting and Noteworthy

I read recently a National Geographic article asking: "How much life could you find in one cubic foot?"They explained that: "Earth is the only planet we know that has a biosphere... Most of the organisms of the biosphere, and the vast number of its species, can be found at the surface or just below it… working together...
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Thinking of summer

Hi,Thought you might like to share this with customers on the blog; a summery photo to take our minds off all the snow.This was taken in 2007 in Fowlerville, MI. The goldfinch was hanging off either a WBU feeder or part of the APS pole, and obviously curious about something.Mike GrimmBeautiful! It's hard to believe spring...
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The Great Backyard Bird Count XIII Begins!

Are you ready? It's time for the GBBC.Step by step instructions for this citizen science project are on the website: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/howto.htmland you can submit your checklist at: http://gbbc.birdsource.org/gbbcApps/input.It's important for everyone to participate. Get your neighbors involved. We want...
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Bluebird Feeding Frenzy

“If you get bored with birds, you’re bored with life." "Birds are eloquent expressions of life and vitality, and watching them makes you a bit more alive." ~ Roger Tory Peterson...
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Pet Turkey?

Hi, I am writing because there is an abandoned domesticated turkey living on the grounds of my mom's employer, and she wants to take care of him. She has a few questions and I am hoping that you can help as I can not find answers anywhere else. What kind of shelter does Mr. Turkey need? What should we feed him so he is...
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Book Recommendations for Michigan Birdwatchers

So now that I've convinced you to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) the third weekend in February, let me recommend a couple books:Birds of MichiganBy Ted Black and Greg Kennedy360 pages, 5.50" x 8.50", paperbackThis is a wonderful book for beginning or advanced bird watchers in Michigan. It has detailed...
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Did I Mention the Free Poster & Prizes?

How Did Michigan Rank in GBBC Last Year?We did good but I know we can do better. Last year Michigan ranked 10th in the number of checklists submitted. Come on Michigan; I want bragging rights!States Submitting the Most Checklists: Rank-State-Checklists1 -Pennsylvania -5,5192 -New York -5,4783 -North Carolina -4,7644 -California...
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Round III of Who's That Bird

Thank you so much for your response and advice. If you have time, I could use your help again. I am attaching a couple of photos of birds I can’t identify. I’ve looked on the internet but not sure what these are.I think the one I named “brownbird” may be a Carolina wren or a winter wren, but can’t tell for sure. I only...
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A Fun Day at the MSU Museum: Darwin Discovery Day!

MSU Darwin Discovery Day set for Feb. 14, 2010MSU Museum to host “Avelution” exhibit Michigan State University will mark the 201st anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin with a variety of events, including a new exhibition at the MSU Museum that looks at the role birds played in the development of Darwin’s theories....
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Just Thought I'd Share Some of the Fun We Have in Our Yard.

When I was in WBU on Saturday, I mentioned we had seen a female Red-bellied Woodpecker. The picture attached is one I took of it in December.A couple of years ago, I couldn't figure out why the bird seed wasn't being eaten during the winter. It seemed like winter would be an important time for them to visit feeders. I...
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Ultimate Bluebird House

Serious birders will appreciate the special features of this ULTIMATE Bluebird House!It's has all the great features of our Wild Birds Unlimited basic bluebird box and then some. One side opens for easy clean out, of course, but the right side has a clear plastic window inside the wood door, so you can peak in to see the...
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Eastern Bluebird: Carrier of the Sky

"The Bluebird carries the sky on its back" -- Henry David ThoreauIt would be hard to find anything as dazzling as a Bluebird standing on a fence post in the early morning sun. Its brilliant blue plumage might even be said to rival the sky itself. Too bad it's just one big illusion! It's true! Bluebirds aren't really blue...
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What's the Difference Between a Groundhog & Woodchuck?

Woodchuck and groundhog are common terms for the same animal, the rodent with the scientific name of Marmota monax. Most closely related to squirrels, woodchucks actually can climb trees and also swim.. What's so special about Feb. 2? Celestially speaking, Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 is a "cross-quarter" day, about halfway...
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