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June News from
Wild Bird Habitat Store
connecting families with nature for 21 years
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Give Dad a gift of nature this Father's Day
Shop Wild Bird Habitat Store during our
21st Annual Father's Day Sale
Now through June 16
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Summer birds have settled in!
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June, 2014
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Are Blackbirds Taking Over Your Backyard Bird Feeders?
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Nutra Saffl
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I have often been asked how I deal with blackbirds, the Common Grackle, in respect to my summer bird feeding program. Blackbirds are difficult to eliminate completely, but there are some backyard bird feeding practices that can minimize their impact, reduce their numbers, and yet attract the birds you enjoy the most. First off is switching several bird feeders from black oil sunflower seed and hulled sunflower hearts used during the winter months to safflower seed or the popular Nutra Saff safflower seed. I use the safflower products on platform bird feeders and hopper bird feeders.
| Hulled Sunflower |
This keeps the Cardinals coming all summer long as well as Jays, doves, finch, nuthatches and Chickadees. I have several seed tube bird feeders I use Nutra Saff safflower seed in and the smaller birds flock to it. Then I keep several caged seed tube bird feeders stocked with hulled sunflowers and shelled peanuts.
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Safflower Seed
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These feeders keep the larger birds away but work well for smaller birds and especially all woodpeckers. My ground feeders are reserved for safflower and white Proso millet which keeps the doves occupied, and a single platform feeder on the back fence with a quality general wild bird mix is where everybody can pick through and get what they want. Summer bird feeding is too exciting to let blackbirds spoil it for me. With a few adjustments to my summer backyard bird feeding program Linda and I have a lot of birds entertaining us as we relax on our patio.
Click here for more tips on deterring blackbirds and squirrels
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Lincoln's
Wild Bird Habitat Stores
South Lincoln, NE in the Alamo Plaza 56th & Hwy #2
Mon - Fri 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm
(402) 420-2553
North Lincoln, NE in the white house at4840 Orchard St
Mon - Fri 9am to 5:30pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday Noon to 4pm
(402) 464-4055
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June Bird of the Month Chimney Swift
Chimney Swifts are long distance Neo-tropical migrants which winter in eastern Peru. This annual trip between North and South America covers more than 6,000 miles round trip. Although there are several swift species in the United States, the Chimney Swift is the most common and widely distributed. They occur from the Central Great Plains to the Atlantic Coast, and from the eastern portion of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. They arrive for the summer months beginning in early March, spreading north through May and April. These swifts will begin to form communal flocks by the end of August, usually leaving in large groups by Mid-September in the upper ranges of their territory and by November have completely vacated the continent...read more about Chimney Swifts |
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Dave's June Bird Chatter Our bird feeders are certainly a source of relaxation and enjoyment as we sit on our decks and patios with thoughts of snow well behind us, for now. But Wild Bird Habitat would like to encourage everyone to take the time and look beyond the bird feeders during the summer months. There are many birds that have arrived in our area that may visit our yards or soar over our towns and neighborhoods with little concern for the feeds we provide their avian cousins....read more of June's Bird Chatter |
A Time to Fledge
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Blue Jay Fledgling
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This is the time of year when many young birds are beginning to fledge from the nest. On their first attempt they often times end-up on the ground, much like the first time we tried to walk and fell down. Although these birds may seem to flounder, you can bet the parents are nearby to protect, and encourage their offspring. Too many times people will pick these youngsters up with good intentions thinking they are in trouble. However it is best to leave them alone unless they are in immediate peril from a cat or other eminent danger. You may
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Robin Fledgling
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place them back in the nest if you can safely do so. Unlike mammals, handling young birds will not lead to their abandonment by the parents, a common misconception. If you must retrieve a young bird that is in danger, or if it becomes orphaned or injured, you can contact a licensed rehabilitator in your area who will care for them. Once the bird has been rehabilitated they will release them back into the wild.
Keep these phone numbers handy or contact Wild Bird Habitat Stores
Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Raptors (Hawks, Owls, Falcons, etc.)
Outside Nebraska locate a wildlife rehabilitation organization in your area at
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Woodpeckers
Attracting woodpeckers to the backyard bird feeder is a treat. Watching them forage on a tree trunks, cling up-side down, or listening to them drum as they excavate a new home, announce their territory, or pry among the bark of a tree for insects is facinating.Want to know more? Read our Fun Woodpecker Facts
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BEER, BRATS, & BEES
Join the Friends of Pioneers Park Nature Center for a lovely outdoor evening. There will be a social hour sponsored by Blue Blood Brewing, live music, fresh food and a presentation about bees followed by an evening stroll through the Nature Center. All funds raised will help provide food and habitat conservation for the pollinators at thePioneers Park Nature Center.
Date: June 13 / 6:30 pm
Pioneers Park Nature Center / 3201 S. Coddington Ave.
$25 Friends of PPNC/ $30 general public
For info: Email: - [email protected]
or phone: (402) 441-7895
Pioneers Park Nature Center
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Annual Father's Day Backyard Habitat Tour
25 Years of Showcasing Area Backyard Bird Habitats
Wachiska Audubon Society's 25th annual Backyard Habitat Tour will once again be held on Father's Day from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For a quarter century, the most diverse and interesting wildlife habitat gardens in the Lincoln area have been showcased for the public. Set aside June 15th to see the great gardens of Lincoln. Homeowners will be on hand to answer questions. Visitors can begin at any location. Maps and brochures will be available at each site. A donation of $7 is suggested and children under 12 are free. Get tour information online at Wachiska Audubon Backyard Habitat Tour or call (402) 486-4846
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Be a Friend of Wilderness Park:
One of Lincoln's jewels is Wilderness Park. With all its rich diversity which includes hundreds of native bird species and as many native plant species along with mammals, reptiles, amphibians
and insects, this is an area that needs the ongoing support, protection, and conservation of all of us. The history of Wilderness Park dates back to the earliest Native Americans, the pioneers on the Oregon Trail cutoff, wagon routes , railroads, an amusement park, an auto camp, several forgotten towns, outposts and more. This 15 mile long linear wilderness green space has over 20 miles of trails to explore by foot, on bike, or by horse. It follows Salt Creek where salt deposits can still be viewed on the west banks and is the primary reason Lincoln was established here in the first place. Salt from underground springs and wells was harvested to preserve meats for the settlers and those embarked on the continuing western movement. Pioneers Park is on the Haines Branch, a heavily wooded riparian saline tributary that joins Salt Creek near 1st and Park Street now Wilderness Park Day Camp, formerly a Cornhusker Boy Scout camp. The Haines Branch runs along the western boundary of the Pioneers Park Nature Center where bison skulls dating back 5000 years have been discovered. Hundreds of bison teeth and vertebrate have been recovered by children "creeking" at Nature Center events. Today Wilderness Park provides an easy escape from the city to a peaceful retreat among nature. Find out more about Wilderness Park and how you can help to preserve it at Friends of Wilderness Park |
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The Wild Bird Habitat Stores
Family owned Backyard Bird Feeding Centers Since 1993
Toll Free: (800) 606-2553
E-Mail: [email protected]
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