Migrants on the Move!

Bird Watcher News April 17th, 2012

Earth Day is
Sunday, April 22nd!

Many local environmental groups and nature centers are celebrating with hands-on events. You can make a difference!
We encourage you to participate in any way you can - picking up trash, recycling, pulling privet and other non-native plants, putting up birdhouses, donating to wildlife rescue organizations, taking kids on a nature hike...

Here are just a few events we've found, but check with your community also:

Tuesday, April 17th, from 6 - 8:30 pm,

Georgia Conservancy

is hosting an event at the Atlanta REI for Charles Seabrook's new book.

To find out more,

Click Here

Black-throated Green Warbler

Wednesday, April 18th and again on

Saturday April 21st

at 7:30 am join the Atlanta Audubon Society for bird walks at Atlanta's premier migrant spot - Kennesaw Mountain. Visit the website below for details and other bird walks in our area.

atlantaaudubon.org

Saturday, April 21st from 10am - noon,

Georgia Wildlife Federation - Mill Creek Nature Center

(beside the Buford location of Bird Watcher Supply) is having a work day to repair a bridge and remove privet. They will have crafts for kids. Volunteers needed! Come visit this beautiful preserve, right in our own backyard!

Also on April 21st,

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center

is celebrating with a variety of crafts, hikes and other activities from 10am - 4pm.

Owlbert will also be making an appearance!

Owlbert

On Sunday, April 22nd

from 1pm - 4pm

The Atlanta Botanical Garden

will have a ladybug release, crafts and more! For details or more information,

Click Here!

*************

Newsletter Lotto

The winning receipt

number for this period is

51419

dated 4/11/2012

**************

If this number and date match your receipt, you are a winner! Bring the receipt in to any Bird Watcher store location to claim your

$100 Gift Card!!!

Receipts dated today through April 30th are eligible for the next drawing on May 1st.

Good luck!

Hi Birdwatchers!

Indigo Bunting by Rachel Cass

During April and May, millions of migrating birds are passing through Georgia, heading north to their breeding grounds from such wintering sites as Florida and the Gulf Coast. Some even return from as far away as Central and South America! It's amazing when you think of how many thousands of miles these birds travel. Most migrants go unnoticed, except by birders that flock to birding hotspots to see their favorite warblers, thrushes, vireos, flycatchers and orioles, but several migrants will visit feeders and bird baths to the delight of backyard bird watchers everywhere!

This time of year, we receive the most phone calls about Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are a stunning black and white bird with a bright red chest. Females are brown and white streaked, and look like an over-sized female Purple Finch. Grosbeaks have large, conical bills and often visit feeders for sunflower seed. Rose-
breasted Grosbeaks don't nest in the Atlanta area, but they do breed in a few spots in the North Georgia mountains. Brasstown Bald is the best place to see this species during the summer months.

Two other popular backyard migrants are the Indigo Bunting and the Blue Grosbeak. These two species look very similar, but are different sizes. The Indigo Bunting is about 5.5" and the Blue Grosbeak is 6.75". Males of both species are a solid, brilliant blue and females are mostly brown, with a hint of blue in the tail or on the body. The Blue Grosbeak male and female do have rusty-colored wingbars, but they may be hard to see without binoculars. Both of these species nest in Georgia, but prefer more rural habitats or weedy power line cuts. You may see them eating white millet, sunflower or even niger seed at your feeders.

What migrants are YOU seeing in the yard? Share with us or post a photo on our Facebook page! We want to hear from you!

New Product Spotlight

"What month do Indigo Buntings arrive in my yard?"
"When did I have the most hummingbird activity last year?"

If you find yourself asking these kinds of questions, you need a Birding Journal! This gorgeous journal starts in the spring and goes through the seasons, allowing you to keep track of bird sightings and activity in your yard. It has beautiful illustrations and helpful hints throughout!

Makes a great gift at only $12.95!!!

Kennesaw * Roswell * Buford * Marietta
Canton * Hiram

www.BirdWatcherSupply.com