Local Bird News
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Thanks to all of you who came out to the Sunflower Farm Festival on June 30th! Although temperatures reached 106 degrees that afternoon, Julia and Karen were able to band 32 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in the morning before it got too hot! Several were hatching year birds, already feisty and out on their own. Kids of all ages got the chance to release the hummingbirds after the banding process.
Our next banding event will be at Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw on August 25th!
Got Goldfinches?
If you look at a range map, you'll see that American Goldfinches breed from Canada all the way south to mid-Georgia. They are very late nesters, often waiting until July or August when the thistle is in bloom, so they can use the down to make their nests. Those of you that live in rural areas, or near powerline cuts, hedgerows or orchards have a much better chance of seeing them in late summer.
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Newsletter Lotto
The winning receipt
number for this period is
16194
dated 7/8/2012
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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 July 23rd are eligible for the next drawing on July 24th.
Good luck!
Congrats to Kennesaw customer
Debbie Henrie
who claimed her $100 Gift Card last week! You could be next!!!
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Hi Birdwatchers!
Hope you are staying cool this month. Some like it hot, but 100 degrees was getting a little crazy! The heat takes a toll on all of us, birds included. There are a few things we can do to help our feathered friends during the late summer.
 | Customers Bob and Debbie Truex shared this photo of Screech Owls cooling off in the bath!
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One of the best things to do is to offer water. Birdbaths, especially those with fresh, moving water can be a life saver for birds. Add a Water Wiggler or a dripper to keep your birdbath water fresh and free from mosquitoes. We are often asked for products to put in birdbaths to keep them clean. Quite frankly, we don't carry them because nothing works better than a good, old-fashioned whisk brush and a little elbow grease. The trick is to whisk it out every day or so, and replace the water. Don't give algae and grime a chance to grow and thrive. If you love your birds, it's really not much to do to keep them happy and healthy.
When it comes to birdhouses, make sure they are properly ventilated. If your birdhouse isn't, take a drill and make a few 1/4 - 3/8" air holes near the top of each side. Many birds are on their second or even third brood now. Late broods are often not as successful as early broods, since temperatures in nest boxes can climb to 120 degrees! Give birds a few choices of nest boxes, placing some in shadier spots.
Continue offering seed and suet throughout the summer, but make sure feeders are clean and free from mold and mildew. With more humidity and frequent summer rains, feeders need a little more cleaning. We recommend Scoot Bird Feeder Cleaner, a powerful, enzyme-based product that safely cleans feeders.
Hummingbird activity has picked up, and along with the extra action at your feeders comes a little more dirt, bacteria and mildew. Make sure to change your nectar (4 parts water:1 part white sugar - no coloring!) every 2 - 3 days when temperatures are over 85 degrees. Whenever you see black in your hummer feeders, it's time to clean with a solution of 10 parts water:1 part plain bleach. You can fill up your sink or a bucket and let the bleach do most of the work for you by soaking a few minutes. Cleaning brushes help reach all the nooks and crannies, especially feeding ports. Rinse well.
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 Kennesaw * Roswell * Buford * Marietta
Canton * Hiram
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