What does the stripes on a woolly bear worm mean, when it comes to predicting the weather?

On these last few warm sunny days you may notice Woolly Bear Caterpillars moving around looking for food and a safe spot to spend the winter. Some crawl in the crevices of tree bark, others under some dead leaves.

Does the length of the black and tan predict whether it will be a harsh winter or not?

Evan with an all orange woolly

No real study has ever been conducted. In 1948 Dr. Curran did a loose study where he recorded the stripe length of a small sampling of caterpillars and then the harshness of the following winter. His experiment was publicized in the paper and made the Woolly Bear Caterpillar one of the most recognized caterpillars in North America. Scientist today think, if anything, the stripes would tell what the last winter was, not the future. But no large study has ever been completed.

What would an all orange woolly bear caterpillar mean for winter?

Anna helps Evan with his woolly

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac:
The wider that middle orange section is, the milder the coming winter. Conversely, a narrow brown band is said to predict a harsh winter. So an all orange woolly would mean a mild winter which is also what is being predicted for mid-Michigan by the Old Farmer’s Almanac:

“Winter will be slightly milder than normal, on average, with the coldest periods in lateNovember, mid-December, late January, and early and mid-February. Precipitation will be below normal, with near-normal snowfall. The snowiest periods will be in mid-December, mid- and late January, mid-February, and mid-March.”

Source: Old Farmer's Almanac:  http://www.almanac.com/

Category › Nature up close

Why are the birds eating so much?

As many of you have noticed, birds have been attacking the feeders like there is no tomorrow. And there won't be if they don't bulk up now to prepare for a harsh Michigan winter or a long journey south. Birds change into a “superbird” state when their internal clock is triggered by shorter days and cooler weather at the end of summer.

Right now a bird needs to increase its fat reserves by as much as 1-10% per day. This feeding frenzy is called hyperphagia. In human terms, this would mean I would have to gain 12 pounds per day. That gives "eats like a bird" a whole new meaning. But remember that their fat increase is vital for the extreme energy required to survive the coming months.

To help the birds, you can feed them high energy, high fat foods. Wild Birds Unlimited is dedicated to offering fresh, top-quality seed. Our no-waste bird seed blends are made from 100% edible seed and have been exclusively formulated for the feeding preferences of our local birds. No cereal fillers—just fresh, high-quality seed your birds will love.

Source: 
Have Wings, Will Travel: Avian Adaptations to Migration http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/fact_sheets/default.cfm?fxsht=4

Related articles:

Prepare Your Yard for Fall Bird Feeding: http://bit.ly/pkJUmW

Best bird feeders?: http://bit.ly/q69iq8

Michigan’s Winter Backyard Birds: http://bit.ly/rt7Nvr

Best foods for birds in winter http://bit.ly/6fkng

Category › Quick fun Facts

Migration of the Common Loon

Common Loons’ sleek black and white breeding plumage is changed to a less showy gray and white during their fall molt. The birds gather in large migration groups during late summer and early fall, and then migrate south alone. They usually travel from the early morning at high elevations (between 4900-8800 feet) at speeds up to 105 mph until sunset. Adults leave first followed a few weeks later by the young. The Common Loons that nest in upper Michigan winter in the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern coast of Florida.

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Fun Facts on Loons

• Adult loons are 3 feet long with a wingspan of 5 feet.
• Loons feed on freshwater fish in the summer and saltwater fish in the winter.
• Loons dive for their dinners and have nearly solid bones that make them sink unlike most birds which have hollow bones.
• Loons have a built in nostril flap to keep water out while they dive.
• Adult loons have red eyes, however, due to the properties of water, most red is filtered out, making them invisible to prey.
• Most loons mate for life and are very faithful to a nesting site.
• If it ain’t broke don’t fix it: The males’ territorial song which consists of an undulating complex yodel remains the same unless it loses the battle for his territory.
• During the first seven days of life, chicks ride safely on the backs of their parents. It is thought that once the loon chicks leave the nest, they don’t touch land again until they are 5-6 years old.
• Loons don’t begin mating until they are about seven years old and can live as long as 30 years.
• Loons aren’t ducks or geese but in the genus called Gavia (Latin for aquatic bird), and the species name of Michigan’s Common Loon is immer (Latin meaning to immerse).
• The common name loon comes from the Swedish word lom which means lame. While graceful in the air and water, the birds’ feet are located so far back on their body, they look awkward walking on land.
• The tremolo of a loon is known as the laughing call. The phrase “crazy as a loon” comes because the loons’ call can sound like wild laughter.
• Loons are rendered flightless for up 2 months (Jan-Feb) while the molt and grow new primary feathers.
• The Common Loon is no longer common in Michigan and is listed as a threatened native species.

Sources:

Michigan Loon Preservation Assoc. - http://www.michiganloons.com/index.html

Fascinating Loons by Stan Tekiela (available at Wild BirdsUnlimited)
Photos from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_loon

Related articles:

Odd Phrases That Involve Birds: http://bit.ly/phVXxe
What Weighs More, Bird's Feathers or Bird's Bones?: http://bit.ly/r6BSYl

Category › Bird of the week

How long does bird seed stay fresh?

I don’t come into Lansing too often. If I bought 100 pounds of your no mess bird food blend and 100 pounds of peanuts will it last 6 months? How long can I store bird food?~ Caledonia, Michigan

Foods will generally be fine for at least 3-4 months if stored properly. All foods should be stored in a cool, dry place –during the fall and winter, the garage is often the best place. Wild Birds Unlimited has closed steel containers that work well to protect seed from unwanted seed thieves or bad weather. Don’t just dump new seed on top of old. It’s best to keep the seed in its original bag to make sure the older seed is used before you open a newer bag.

What's actually more important is how long you let food remain in feeders. In the rainy fall, at the very least, feeders can get clogged with wet seed and at worse the seed could be moldyand cause the birds sickness. So, in between rain drops, take a quick peek at your feeders, especially your goldfinch feeders, and toss out any moldy seed, suet, fruit, or nectar, and make sure your feeders are clean.

Remember, birds give us a lot of pleasure as we watch them eat, so let’s provide them a safe and clean feeding station at all times. Feeders should also be cleaned at least once a month, year round. Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing - will clean your feeder for $5.00. Or you can purchase professional cleaners like Scoot or Poop-Offat Wild Birds Unlimited, or use a mild one part vinegar to nine parts water solution to clean all of your feeders. Disassemble feeders and immerse them completely for three minutes. Scrub with brushes (we have these too), rinse thoroughly, and let air dry. 

When I choose a new feeder I always look for something easy to clean and fill. If you keep these measures in mind, you can keep this hobby enjoyable for your family and safe for your birds. Bon appetite!

You’ve got me thinking. Thank you for your honest answers. I guess I can make a couple trips into Lansing for your seed. My birds keep me happy, so I guess the least I can do is keep them happy. I love your blog and now your store. We come in every time we make a trip to Lansing. It was like having a bird catalog come alive the fist time we came in. Have a good day!

Thank you. I look forward to seeing you soon. Sarah

Related articles:

What is No-Mess Bird Seed?: http://bit.ly/pl516I

What birds like peanuts?: http://bit.ly/qKbHT0

Seed Storage Cans and WBU Seed Scoops: http://bit.ly/q6th9R

Do I need to clean my bird feeder?: http://bit.ly/nYKz40

The best bird feeders at Wild Birds Unlimited: http://bit.ly/pv36W6

Category › Bird Basics

2011 Michigan Bluebird Society Fall Picnic

Come To The Annual MBS Fall Picnic Sept. 18th!

The Michigan Bluebird Society will be holding its annual Fall Picnic on Sunday September 18th at the Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg, Michigan. They’ll be holding the picnic in the beach pavilion from 11 to about 3:00.  MBS will be providing the food and beverages.  It’s free for members, and a modest fee of $5 for non-members to cover the cost of lunch.   

We plan to have an array of bluebird nesting boxes showing the latest and greatest innovations in attracting more bluebirds.  In addition, the park's Outreach Coordinator Katie Robinson will give a short talk at 2:00 on the Birds of Sleepy Hollow State Park, followed by a nature hike on some of the trails.

Sleepy Hollow has over 2,600 acres of river, woods, trails, and 400 acre Lake Ovid – but fortunately no Headless Horsemen!  You can easily get to the park off M-127 north of Lansing by taking the Price Road exit to the east. 

Sleepy Hollow 7835 E. Price Road.  
Phone number: (517) 651-6217. 
For more information about Sleepy Hollow, go to www.michigan.gov/sleepyhollow. 
You can also get more details about the Picnic at the MBS website:  www.michiganbluebirds.org/events. 
 For a map to Sleepy Hollow State Park, click here.

NOTE:  that there is an admission charge per vehicle to the state park of $6.
To help us plan for food, please let us know if you can attend by email:  khagemeister@sbcglobal.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone:  734-663-9746.  Just leave a message saying your name and how many will be attending.  See you there!

Category ›

The Sense of Wonder

 "If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in." 
--Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

Category › Friday Photo

Do you have strong, straight bird feeding poles?

Hello, I’m new to bird feeding. I have one feeder right now hanging on a Sheppard’s hook. Is there a better way to hang your feeders than a bunch of these hooks in the yard? ~ Jackson, MI 

Had 7 wild turkeys fly in to my yard yesterday and they bent the pole my bird feeder was on. I didn’t know turkeys could fly or that they could bend aluminum poles. Do you sell bird poles that are strong enough to hold turkeys?! ~ Webberville, Michigan

I think turkeys look like flying dogs. Thankfully the population is growing and more and more Wild Birds Unlimited customers in mid-Michigan get the chance to see Wild Turkeys.

Turkeys are omnivorous, foraging for nuts as well as various seeds, berries, roots, grasses and insects. They also occasionally consume amphibians and small reptiles like snakes. 

If you want to feed Wild Turkeys, I would recommend our Wild Birds Unlimited Wildlife Blend. It’s a nice mixture of peanuts, sunflower seed and corn. Our Choice Plus Blend also has enough tree nuts, sunflower seeds, dried cherries, and suet nuggets to satisfy any turkey as well as a wide variety of other birds. 

Wild Birds Unlimited usually recommends a good ground feeder for turkeys but we also have a pole system that won’t tip when turkeys fly in for breakfast.

Best way to hang bird feeders:

The Advanced Pole System -
Looks Great, Stays Straight!
Wild Birds Unlimited patented Advanced Pole System (APS) is comprised of interchangeable hardware pieces, that lets you add or subtract bird feeders, birdhouses and other bird feeding accessories, giving you the ability to create and customize your bird feeding station with over 3,000 combinations — it is all up to you!

How Does It Work?
It’s easy! Just insert a screwdriver into the hole at the middle of the 4-foot Base Pole and twist it into the ground using the convenient corkscrew auger connected at the bottom of the pole. Next slide the Stabilizer onto the Base Pole and push into the ground. Tests show the stabilizer holds the pole straight in up to 35 MPH wind gusts. Plus, it is lawnmower-friendly.

Get Creative!
Create your own unique setup by selecting the bird feeder, birdhouse, bird bath, or bird feeder supplies you want. The APS parts fit together easily, and no special tools are required. Birds will flock to your new APS station in no time. So, sit back and enjoy the show.

It’s Flexible!
The APS was designed to accommodate all feeders with many hanging accessories from which to choose. Suet feeder, peanut feeder, tube feeder, wooden feeder, one feeder, many feeders — the Advanced Pole System is the ultimate solution to all your birdfeeding needs.

Don’t have a yard?
Use the Advanced Pole System to create a birdfeeding station on your deck. It’s that flexible! For more information click HERE or come in to the stores and we can help you build the best bird feeding system. Now is the time to install the new system!

Thank you so much for your quick reply! This looks like so much fun to build. Do you have everything at your store?

Yes, Wild Birds Unlimited has everything you need to make a bird sanctuary in your yard. Stop by today and let us show you which poles, high-energy foods, shelters, and baths are available to help your birds brave the winter.
Store location:
Wild Birds Unlimited
2200 Coolidge Rd. Ste.17
East Lansing, MI 48823


E-mail:    bloubird@gmail.com
Website: http://lansing.wbu.com/
Blog:       http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/
Twitter:    http://twitter.com/birdsunlimited
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/lansingwbu

Related Articles: 
Wild Turkeys came close to extinction in the 1930s: http://bit.ly/rgjosF
Why is a Turkey Is Called a Turkey?: http://bit.ly/ou7ZmK
Construct your Advanced Pole System today: http://www.wbu.com/products/aps/index.html
WBU Fly-thru Ground Feeder: http://bit.ly/nT3b7F

Category › Product Highlight