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Showing posts with label Store Cats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Store Cats. Show all posts

How to make handmade bird treats

My little helper.
While you are enjoying the many tasty treats that abound this holiday season, don't forget to share some goodies with the birds. Decorating a tree for our feathered friends and other wildlife is an activity the whole family can enjoy.
 
One of my favorite crafts is a pinecone dipped in birdseed. They are so much fun to make I thought I'd share my secret recipe. So if there are any little hands out there that need to be kept busy over the holiday break, this is a fun and easy project.

Pinecone Treats for the Birds

What you need:
¼ cup powdered unflavored gelatin
2 cups water
12 medium pinecones
2 cups WBU No-Mess blend bird seed
Raffia to hang

Place water in a glass bowl that is big enough to dip in a pinecone. Heat the water in the microwave for 50 seconds. The water should only be warm, but this should be supervised by an adult.

1. Pour the powdered gelatin in the water and stir until it is dissolved.
2. Dip the pinecone into the gelatin water
3. Roll pinecone in a bowl of bird seed.
4. Set the dipped pinecone on wax paper and let it dry for a couple hours.
5. Once it’s dry, tie a raffia ribbon around the cone, hang on a tree outside and watch all the birds flock.
6. Or place the pinecone in a cellophane bag and you have the perfect party favor for your guests to take home.

Additional Treat Ideas
Other decorations that can be strung and placed on trees include popcorn, fresh cranberries, thick fresh orange slices, peanuts in the shell, dried apples or dried figs. You can also string rice cakes, crab apples, baby dried corn bundles, or grapes.

Natural rough brown string, ribbon and raffia can be used for hanging the decorations. The birds will use this material for nesting in the spring.

For more easy recipes to decorate a tree for the birds go to: http://www.wbu.com/education/brochures/DecorateATree.pdf

 Related Articles:
- What birds like peanuts? http://bit.ly/sOmvEe
- Let's all share Nature's bounty http://bit.ly/tgPkrv
- Decorate a Tree for Your Birds http://bit.ly/t3QtGV
- Filling Up on Fatty Foods http://bit.ly/tUElnw
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The cat-human-bird connection at Wild Birds Unlimited

“Isn’t it ironic to have a cat in a bird store?”  This is a very popular question for new customers that stop by our store. But cats and humans working together in grain stores goes way back. DNA evidence identifies the pet cat’s ancestor as the Arabian wildcat Felis silvestris lybicaand places its origins between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago in the Middle East when the first agricultural societies emerged.

The grain loving house mouse was not as happy with cat-human love connection. Wildcats had no interest in eating grain but people probably encouraged them to hang around to deter mice.

The Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing store has 3 cats that have been the topic of several popular posts.  My catty co-workers have given customers many chuckles over the years as they’ve greeted them with a meow, chased dropped pens, or cuddled up in the bird baths.
Originally all stray cats, my three amigos were brought indoors to provide them with a safe haven as well as to keep my wild birds safe from predation.

October 29th is National Cat Appreciation Day and I would like to take a minute to recognize the hard work my cats do each day and bring awareness to the number of cats that still need homes today.

J.B is first on my list. A loyal worker for almost 20 years, he is acting Opurrational Director. If there are any problems, he is the voice of reason and is able to calm everyone down. Eli-Birder, his assistant for 9 years amazes customers with his GIANT gentleman's act and Hello-Dolly, with us for only 4 years, has taking over most greeting duties. Thank you for all your hard work guys!

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Very Full Moon! Largest full moon of 2013

What’s going on? The last couple days our cats at the Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing store have been acting like LUNATICS! One customer said it was the full moon.

On June 23, 2013, the moon is the closest and largest full moon of the year. The moon will not be so close again until August, 2014. At its fullest and closest, the moon will appear about 12 percent larger than usual in the sky.

"It doesn't matter where you are, the full moon you're seeing will be the biggest for 2013," Michelle Thaller, the assistant director of science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center said. "… That 12 percent size different can mean as much as a 30 percent change in the brightness, so this will be a particularly bright supermoon."

The moon will be rising from the east right around sunset, Thaller said. It will appear huge and low on the horizon before rising brightly into the sky for the night. Sunday should be ideal viewing.

You can also watch a live webcast of the supermoon on SPACE.com beginning on Sunday beginning at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 June 24 GMT) http://www.space.com/19195-night-sky-planets-asteroids-webcasts.html
 
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Learn more about Canada Geese

We had new visitors outside our Wild Birds Unlimited East Lansing, MI window today. Birder, our cat, was fascinated and a little cautious of the presence of a couple of giant geese. The Canada Goose is 16-25 inches long with a wingspan of 50-68 inches. Both the male and female are large long-necked geese with black bills, black heads and necks with white throat patches that extend up the cheek. The body is brown with a brownish-white breast and belly.

Ted Black, co-author of Birds of Michigan writes, "Canada Geese are among the most recognizable birds in Michigan, but they are also among the least valued. Few people realize that at one time birds of the now-common Midwestern subspecies of the Greater Canada Goose were hunted almost to extinction. Populations have since been reestablished and, in recent decades, these large, bold geese have inundated urban waterfronts, picnic sites, golf courses and city parks. Today many people even consider them pests."

That's one big bird! Should I hide?
Canada geese may be one of the most talkative animals after humans. Goslings, or baby geese, begin communicating with their parents while still in the egg. Their calls are limited to greeting "peeps," distress calls and high-pitched trills signaling contentment.
 
Usually in their second year of life, Canada Geese find a mate for life. Breeding takes place from late March to early May. Once the 2 to 9 eggs are laid, the female incubates them until they hatch around 28 days later. 

Minutes after hatching, young Canada geese are able to follow their parents around and leave the nest. Both parents raise the goslings and the family usually stays together for a full year after the birds have hatched.
 
Related Articles:
- Have you ever heard of a wedge of geese? http://goo.gl/2oDPB
- Goose Gaffe? http://goo.gl/sDx9H
- Strange deer and goose pairing http://goo.gl/im8Pj
- Why geese sleep in the water http://goo.gl/X9gV9
- Why do geese fly in a V formation? http://goo.gl/h1icv
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Do birds snore? Watch the video

Does any one else have a cat that snores? There are three cats that take turns as Greeter at the Wild Birds Unlimited in East Lansing. When one is on duty the other two find a safe place to “saw wood”. That got me wondering if birds snore?

Most birds are very light sleepers. Some birds even sleep with only half a brain and one eye open, always on the lookout for danger. Hummingbirds, however, can enter into a state of deep sleep called torpor to save energy. Torpor, similar to a type of short-term hibernation, reduces a hummingbirds’ metabolic activity and drops their heart rate from 1,200 beats per minute to 50 beats per minute.

Below is a videoof a female Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis) in the early stages of waking up from torpor. The gaping of the bill might be a way to breathe deeply and bring in plenty of oxygen.

When they are disturbed in torpor, they try to warm up as quickly as possible. Initially, they are too cold for high-speed muscle action so they make shivering movements. The high pitched squeaking sound is likely a cute side-effect of the gaping for oxygen.

This recording was made by experts in tropical ornithology who placed the bird in a container that is attached to machines that measure how much oxygen the bird is consuming. The camera picked up the hum of the machines as well as the hummingbird.

All of the hummingbirds measured like this consumed much lower amounts of oxygen at a very stable level compared to other, larger birds, which suggests that they were in torpor, or a state close to torpor. Once the experiment was completed all the birds were released.

To watch the video on YouTube go to: http://youtu.be/pj5huCuhD_Q

Related Articles:
- Migration vs. Hibernation http://goo.gl/C1GtY 
- How Do Birds Sleep? http://goo.gl/EyGqT 
- Why geese sleep in the water http://goo.gl/GP784 
- Where Do Birds Go At Night? http://goo.gl/Aurhv
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Close-up look at why cats purr and other animals that purr

Chilly autumn days are often my favorite; with a cat on the lap, a cup of hot tea and lots of flocking birds outside the window. As I sit typing with JB in my lap purring quietly and Eli nearby on his mat purring loudly, I wonder what is the purpose of the purr and can other animals purr?
Can you hear his purr? Eli has such a loud purr some people think he's growling.
According to pets.webmd.com, purring is like smiling. We smile when we’re happy, nervous, greet each other, want something, and in a variety of other situations. Just as the edges of a human’s lips move up at the corners to produce a smile, a cat’s vocal cords separate and twitch at the rate of 25 to 150 vibrations per second (Hz), during both inhalation and exhalation to produce a purr.

Some wild cats and their near relatives that also purr are civets, genets, and mongooses. Other purrers include hyenas, guinea pigs, and raccoons.

Cats that don’t purr, roar. Lions and tigers, can’t purr because the structures surrounding their voice box (larynx) aren’t stiff enough to produce a purr but do allow roaring. Cats that live in a pack use roaring as a way to protect their pride while small wild cats tend to roam alone and find themselves in a variety of different situations where a purr is more effective. Although cats purr when they are content, they also purr when frightened or threatened.

Right now JB’s motor is running and I know he is happy with my warm lap and I’m happy too!

Source: http://pets.webmd.com/cats/features/why-cats-purr

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Photo share: Wild Cats Unlimited

Dolly made the birds disappear. We are now known as Wild Cats Unlimited.
You think she's kidding?
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Photo Share: Goldfinches change color as spring approaches

JB and I have been watching the goldfinches go through their spring molt. They are exchanging their dull winter feathers for their bright yellow spring colors.

Finding that extra energy to go through a complete molt in the spring means there has been a feeding frenzy at my feeders lately. They are so fun to watch!

Many people don't realize that the American Goldfinches are not bright yellow all year. In fact they are the only finch in North America to go through a complete molt two times a year.

In the spring the male turns bright yellow with a black cap, wings, and tail, and white rump. In the photo the male goldfinch is just starting to get a few black feathers on his head and bright yellow feathers on his body. The female keeps the duller brown color and lacks the black cap.

The American Goldfinch’s legs, feet and bill also change from a dark grayish brown to a buffy yellow orange color.

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What kind of bird bath is the best?

Water is one of the most important necessities that birds need year-round.
If you are thirsty where do you go? Finding safe, clean water is often difficult for birds. By offering a bird bath you can make a bird’s life a little easier.

Baths not only provide clean water to quench thirst, baths also help birds maintain their feathers. A good part of a bird's day is spent just cleaning and grooming their feathers by bathing, scratching, and preening. It’s so important that it is often the first place parent birds bring their newly fledged babies.

Right now there are also lots of birds traveling thousands of miles between wintering grounds and nesting grounds that just need a place to stop.

Come in to the Wild Birds Unlimited store in East Lansing
and Dolly can help you choose the best bath
As forests have been cleared for development, birds have to find sanctuary in whatever forest, woodlot, or yard that is available when they become too tired or encounter bad weather on their journey. And if they choose your yard to stop over, hopefully you’ll have fresh water, food, and shelter to make their journey a little easier.

I know in the next couple months I’ll be seeing warblers, tanagers, buntings, and variety of other birds stopping at my water bath as well as visits from my regular cardinals, chickadees, and finches. Water will attract all species of birds. It's one of the easiest ways to bring birds up close, so the whole family can get a really good look and enjoy their beauty.

Tips for choosing a bird bath
Depth – I like a bath with a gradual dip to the middle no deeper than 2”. If your bath is any deeper, it’s nice to place a stone in the middle for the birds to make an easy escape.

Size – Baths can be any size. I have a very shallow tiny bath staked near the ground that the cardinal and goldfinches frequent and a large bath a little father away that the robins and doves prefer.

Appearance/Material – Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing stores have a variety of bird bath styles from glass, ceramic, metal and plastic.  As long as the water is fresh and the birds feel safe, all the baths will attract birds.

Location – In nature water is usually found on the ground or perhaps pooled in the leaves of a plant after a rain. Birds will come to the water at any level, so place the bath where you can see it easily to enjoy the birds.

Water Movement - Moving water will attract birds and can minimize insects and algae growth. Adding a mister or water wiggler can be fun.

Maintenance – It is important to keep you bath clean. Make sure to have a good stiff brush to scrub you bath occasionally and I also add a specially formulated bird bath protector to the water to prevent organic contaminants from forming and keep the water clear. Everything is available at Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing store.

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A window feeder is the best way to entertain indoor cats

A lot of our customers start bird feeding to entertain their indoor cats. It is a challenge to keep indoor-only animals stimulated and engaged mentally. A window feeder is one solution.

Whether you are a city or country dweller, if you have a window you can access, you can put up a window bird feeder. You can choose from several styles. Some of our best sellers right now at the Wild BirdsUnlimited East Lansing, Michigan store are the double tray buffet style and the hopper style. (In the summer the best seller is by far the Aspects HummZinger window hummingbird feeder)

Now is the best time to put up a window feeder. As we begin to close our windows in the next few weeks, the cats are going get a little stir crazy. While the sun is still shining, get outside to wash your windows and put up a window feeder (also known to our fur friends as kitty TV).

It’s a win/win situation. Your cats will benefit because they will be occupied for hours and the birds will benefit because they have a reliable source of food. You’ll also be entertained by your cats’ reactions as well as all the neat birds that come up close.

No need to worry that you’ll scare the birds away. I’ve had my face smashed against the window several times to talk to a chickadee and they never seem to mind my animated motioning behind the window.

I like to use the sunflower seeds without the shell or our no-mess blend so there are no shells below the feeder. That way the area remains tidy. But sometimes I use safflower seed if the squirrels take an interest in the feeder. Safflower seed is a seed that most squirrels will avoid.

If you’ve never fed birds before, this is a great way to start. It’s also a great gift idea if you want to give someone a hobby for the holidays.

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Which seeds are preferred by wild birds? http://bit.ly/tZKjjf 
Cats go Stir Crazy at the Store! http://bit.ly/ukt8qw
Close-up of oriole at the window feeder: http://bit.ly/rIMsv2
Hummingbirds at the window: http://bit.ly/s5Y3WJ
What says eh-eh, yank-yank? http://bit.ly/vvh2lm
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Tuesdays are busy at Wild Birds Unlimited East Lansing, Michigan

Sit down!
I'm serious!
I'm taking a little break. Things are moving a little slow today because we've been very busy. I'm half way through unloading our seed delivery. Lots of fresh seed is here ready to fill feeders.


JB hates Tuesdays. No lap time in the morning for him and I hear about it loud and clear. 

 Dolly has to back away from the door as I come in and out with seed. 
Dolly stays out of the way of the seed cart.
Birder is happy today.

But Birder (Eli) is happy today. We received a new shipment of feeders and he's playing King of the mountain.
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Indoor cats don't get bored when you have bird-watching windows.



Dolly is an avid bird watcher. She always lets me know when an interesting bird shows up.


I tried to catch her sleeping. But as a stray she learned early to sleep with one eye open.
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Close-up of Baltimore Oriole

I grabbed my camera as soon as I heard Dolly give her little "bird call". I stood right in front of the window at the Wild Birds Unlimited store in East Lansing and took a video of her favorite visitor, the Baltimore Oriole.

Miss Baby Doll usually sits up high on top of the candle display to watch her hummingbird and oriole window feeders and they just ignore her. Yesterday for some reason she was sitting on the window sill and that made Mr. Oriole a little nervous. Me with a camera standing right in front of the window, however, didn't seem to bother him.

I have the Oriole feeder hanging from a window hook. It's filled with sugar water and in the little wells in the cover I put the BirdBerry Jelly that can be purchased here at Wild Birds Unlimited. It's so good he'll even overlook a cat and human with their faces smashed against the window watching. Watch the video at: http://youtu.be/CX335cxYeD0

Related articles:
Facts on the Baltimore Oriole http://t.co/pAsXrHx
Where do orioles winter? http://t.co/vgbxzk1
Tips and tricks to make your suction cups stick. http://t.co/a3wv0x0
Favorite Oriole feeders http://t.co/OjG4Lz4
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My Favorite Weed: All About Catnip

Life is good.
What is that stink?! It’s familiar but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Not skunk. Did I step in something?

Oh JB found the source. I put catnip in my pocket and forgot about it. The cats don’t get it every day. But the catnip plant in the garden does donate enough leaves to treat the cats occasionally.

What is Catnip?
Catnip Nepeta cataria is a perennial herb that is member of the Mint family. Like dandelions and Canada thistle, catnip is another plant that is not native to the Americas. It has many medicinal uses in addition to its being a recreational substance for cats' enjoyment. Gardeners and birders may also find it interesting that researchers have found that the oil in the catnip leaves is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, which is the active ingredient in most insect repellents.

I am one crazy cat!
More Fun Facts about Cat Nip
  • Catnip was originally native to Asia and to Europe.
  • It was introduced to the Americas as food and for medical purposes.
  • Catnip tea was very popular before the importation of Chinese teas.
  • It was used as a treatment for gastrointestinal complaints, nervousness and colds.
  • Only 2/3 of cats respond to catnip, and only cats over three months old can appreciate the effects.
  • Tigers, cougars, bobcats, lions and lynx also respond to nepetalactone, the active ingredient in catnip.
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Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively than DEET 
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Stir Crazy Cats at the Store!

*

Even J.B. was demanding.

With the screen door no longer open the cats have been going stir crazy. I captured a little of their antics. JB was tearing around the store so fast I couldn't get him on video.

I hung their stockings and told them they're going to get lumps of coal if they don't behave. Big mistake. Now Dolly and the boys are in a competition to see earns the most lumps.

*no catnip was used in the making of this film.
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Why Do The Cats Like To Drink Out Of My Mug?


I'm always guarding my mugs from rough-tongued thieves during the day. Even when I bring out two mugs, the cats want mine.


Dolly drinks while J.B. sleeps in my desk drawer (back right)
 Have you ever watched a cat drink? NPR had a really good story yesterday called Pet Physics: The Uncanny Lapping Of Cats.

Geoff Brumfiel reports that "Watching in slow motion reveals that cats of all sizes, from tabbies to tigers, have a very elaborate way of drinking. First, they move the tip of their tongue onto the surface of the water to flick the water up so that a little jet of liquid flies into the air. Then, in a flash, they catch the jet in their mouth." Click HERE to listen to the full story.
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What says eh-eh, yank-yank?

Trick question. It's a conversation between Dolly and a Red-breasted Nuthatch. Dolly is behind the window of course.

The first thing new customers say when they walk in the door of the Wild Birds Unlimited-East Lansing store is, "Isn't it ironic to have cats in a bird store?" I usually respond that we're all bird lovers here. And that's true.

Dolly alerted me that the first Red-breasted Nuthatch of the season had arrived! I joined Dolly at the window and we counted at least four nuthatches in the tree looking for pinecone seeds and yank-yanking it up. Most woodpeckers and nuthaches have a call that sort of sounds like they are laughing. Click HERE to play a recording of a nuthach.

Red Breasted Nuthatch/Sitta CanadensisImage via WikipediaAdult Red-breasted Nuthatches have gray backs with rust-colored breasts. But the first thing I notice are the black caps and white stripes above the eyes. Females are less colorful, with a more washed-out rust color on the belly.

As they move along the trunks and branches of trees, nuthatches glean bugs such as beetles, pine woodborers, and spiders. In the fall and winter, they like the seeds of fir, pine, and spruce trees, and are also common visitors at nut, sunflower, mealworm, and suet feeders.

In mid-Michigan we usually only see the red-breasted in the winter unlike the White-breasted Nuthatch which is common year-round.  

So keep your eyes and ears open for these darling little birds. They are built to walk any direction with greatly enlarged hind toes and a short tail.

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Do You Take Your Cats Home at Night?

Everybody is always so worried about my babies at the East Lansing, MI Wild Birds Unlimited store. The cats don't go home with me at night because the store is their home. I'm with them about 10 hours a day every day and they are so exhausted by closing time that they are glad to have the lights out and get some much needed rest.

Do they catch mice in the store?We've never had mice in the store. My boys (J.B. and Eli) wouldn't know what to do if they saw a mouse. Dolly on the other hand, came into the store with fierce hunting skills that have disappeared gradually. Now that she has relaxed and knows a bowl of food and water will always be available she hardly even plays with her pet rock anymore.
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Do they do a lot of damage in the store?
I'm afraid I do more damage than the cats. Dolly likes to pick up the occasional price sticker on her tail and J.B. likes to push the "no tax" button on the cash register but that's about it. Now that Dolly is with us, Eli has pretty much given her the "Greeter Duty" and likes to flake out in the back office more and more.

I want to thank everyone for their concern and also for the occasional cat gifts. My babies are only a little spoiled and much loved.

Read more about them: Store Cats


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The Trials of Living in a Bird Store

My boys are the best but let's face it, they’re 'fraidy cats. (I’m talking about my cats Jay Bird “JB” and Eli “Blue Birdie”) We occasionally get birds in the Wild Birds Unlimited East Lansing store. This isn't because we have massive amounts of the best bird food.

The starlings were here before we opened the store a few years ago, swooping in and out via uncovered air vents on the sides of the building. We thought it was a good sign. Now I hear the tick, tick, tick as they walk across the ceiling tiles and I watch the cats' heads follow the noise above them.

The birds usually make their way out the same way they came in, but sometimes a curious fellow will drop in if he discovers a hole in the ceiling. When that happened my boys used to run to me with big eyes and alert me that there was trouble. Now with Dolly in the mix it's a little different. Dolly, here since last October, isn't afraid of these large birds.

I actually named her Darling Starling because she was black and white. Her name was later shortened to Dolly. (I found it much easier to yell “DOLLY come down, DOLLY get out of there, DOLLY leave your brothers alone, DOLLY don’t eat that spider…" than Darling.) And I have to be a little more vigilant now when I hear thump, thumping in the back room.

We had a starling in the store two times this week. The first time the tick, ticking on the ceiling was driving me crazy and I cracked open the ceiling. The bird flew down and I picked him up at the closed window and took him outside with Dolly watching my every move.

The second time I heard a thump, thump in the back and then silence. I went to investigate. Dolly had the back end of a Starling in her mouth and the boys were poised on their tippy toes, high up on the fax machine, far, far away from her!

“Yikes, Dolly what do you have?” Not quite sure what I was screaming about she dropped the bird and I grabbed him as he was trying to escape through a closed window.

Once nabbed, I put him outside and he flew away with a lesson learned, hopefully. Why are we seeing so many birds in the store right now? Well, even though there is still snow on the ground these birds were probably already scouting for appropriate nesting sights. What fun! I am envisioning the pitter pat of baby starling feet in my near future.
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Well, Well Hello, Dolly!

Well, Hello, Dolly,

It's so nice to have you here where you belong.

You're looking swell, Dolly,
We can tell, Dolly,
You are glowin', you are crowin'
You are growin' strong.
Well Hello Dolly!
Well hello, hey look there's Dolly!

Dolly will never go away. Dolly will never go away.
Dolly is goin' to stay and play, Hurray!
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Click HERE to read about the American Bird Conservacy Campaign for Safer Birds and Cats.
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