BIRD NERD TRIVIA NIGHT
Thursday, March 21
6:30PM-8:30PM
FREE pizza, cold beer and bird trivia with prizes!!
Join us at Desano Pizza in Waverly for free pizza and fun!
In addition to Bird Trivia, you will be able to connect with fellow birders and network with like-minded nature enthusiasts.
Taylor Piephoff will also be there to talk birds, answer questions and help
identify that mystery bird at your feeders (photos are a big help!).
So, bone up on your bird trivia, practice your favorite calls (yes, that will be a thing) and show up to have fun!
Desano Pizza is located in Waverly, just down the street from our Wildology store at 7315 Waverly Walk Avenue, across from Chuy's TexMex and very close
Thursday, March 21
6:30PM-8:30PM
FREE pizza, cold beer and bird trivia with prizes!!
Join us at Desano Pizza in Waverly for free pizza and fun!
In addition to Bird Trivia, you will be able to connect with fellow birders and network with like-minded nature enthusiasts.
Taylor Piephoff will also be there to talk birds, answer questions and help
identify that mystery bird at your feeders (photos are a big help!).
So, bone up on your bird trivia, practice your favorite calls (yes, that will be a thing) and show up to have fun!
Desano Pizza is located in Waverly, just down the street from our Wildology store at 7315 Waverly Walk Avenue, across from Chuy's TexMex and very close
INCOMING!!!!
By the end of March it is possible we may start seeing ruby-throated hummingbirds in Charlotte!
As the migration map shows, April is the month for widespread arrival of these wonderful birds in the Charlotte area, but towards the end of March, we may be able to spot a few birds passing through on their way to breeding grounds farther north.
In early April, "our" males will arrive first to set up their territories and the females will arrive a couple of weeks later.
So make sure you know where your feeders are and that they are in good condition. Making your own nectar is the cheapest way to ensure that you are offering what their exhausted little bodies will need when they arrive. Four parts water to one part white cane sugar is the ratio to use. Don't add anything to make it red. Just make sure you are using a feeder with some red on it.
You can really put out the welcome mat for the hummingbirds by planting red, tubular-shaped flowers in the garden and in pots on the porch or patio. Also, since insects make up a majority of their diet (and are essential for the newly hatched chicks) make sure you aren't spraying your garden for insects. The protein is important for all baby birds!
If you want to follow their migration north, use this migration map. It is fun to watch them march up the eastern seaboard until they find your garden!
By the end of March it is possible we may start seeing ruby-throated hummingbirds in Charlotte!
As the migration map shows, April is the month for widespread arrival of these wonderful birds in the Charlotte area, but towards the end of March, we may be able to spot a few birds passing through on their way to breeding grounds farther north.
In early April, "our" males will arrive first to set up their territories and the females will arrive a couple of weeks later.
So make sure you know where your feeders are and that they are in good condition. Making your own nectar is the cheapest way to ensure that you are offering what their exhausted little bodies will need when they arrive. Four parts water to one part white cane sugar is the ratio to use. Don't add anything to make it red. Just make sure you are using a feeder with some red on it.
You can really put out the welcome mat for the hummingbirds by planting red, tubular-shaped flowers in the garden and in pots on the porch or patio. Also, since insects make up a majority of their diet (and are essential for the newly hatched chicks) make sure you aren't spraying your garden for insects. The protein is important for all baby birds!
If you want to follow their migration north, use this migration map. It is fun to watch them march up the eastern seaboard until they find your garden!
While it may not feel like it right now, spring is not far away. The birds know it and many are starting to prepare for it, and so should you.
If you didn't do it back in the fall, now is the time to clean out your birdhouses, make sure they are in good repair and mounted on sturdy poles. A lot of customers are reporting bluebird activity at their feeders and their nesting boxes. Although it's still a bit early for them to actually start nesting, they are shopping around and making notes on the most desirable locations in the area.
How can you get on the list of "desirable locations"? First, clean and sturdy, as discussed above. Secondly, ensure that the entrance hole is facing south or east (or southeast). For bluebirds, the nesting box needs to be mounted on a pole (not hanging!) in an open area, facing a wide expanse of openness. He likes to sit on top of the house, with a nice 360 degree view of his territory, and she wants to sit in the box, with a view to the south with no trees or large shrubs.
These are the best guidelines for attracting bluebirds. We know that for every rule, there will be someone who says "my bluebirds love my hanging house" or "my bluebird house is on a tree and has bluebirds every year," but if you want to give yourself the best chance of a breeding pair of these gorgeous birds, these guidelines will give you the best chance for success!
If you didn't do it back in the fall, now is the time to clean out your birdhouses, make sure they are in good repair and mounted on sturdy poles. A lot of customers are reporting bluebird activity at their feeders and their nesting boxes. Although it's still a bit early for them to actually start nesting, they are shopping around and making notes on the most desirable locations in the area.
How can you get on the list of "desirable locations"? First, clean and sturdy, as discussed above. Secondly, ensure that the entrance hole is facing south or east (or southeast). For bluebirds, the nesting box needs to be mounted on a pole (not hanging!) in an open area, facing a wide expanse of openness. He likes to sit on top of the house, with a nice 360 degree view of his territory, and she wants to sit in the box, with a view to the south with no trees or large shrubs.
These are the best guidelines for attracting bluebirds. We know that for every rule, there will be someone who says "my bluebirds love my hanging house" or "my bluebird house is on a tree and has bluebirds every year," but if you want to give yourself the best chance of a breeding pair of these gorgeous birds, these guidelines will give you the best chance for success!
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A CRAZY MIX OF PRODUCTS FOR NATURE NERDS!!!!
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To Clean or Not To Clean
Many customers are already on their second batch of bluebirds, so it is a good time to remind you NOT to clean out the bird houses between broods. Mrs. Bluebird will put a fresh layer of pine straw on the old nest and she will start laying eggs again.
If you take out the old nest, she has to start all over again and it may encourage her to look elsewhere for housing.
If the nesting box is particularly messy, infested with insects or if there are dead babies or unhatched eggs, then you probably should clean it out using water and a stiff bristled brush. No chemicals should be used at all.
One of the best parts about the second and third broods is that the juveniles from the first hatch will help the parents feed their new siblings, so you get to enjoy the whole family!
Many customers are already on their second batch of bluebirds, so it is a good time to remind you NOT to clean out the bird houses between broods. Mrs. Bluebird will put a fresh layer of pine straw on the old nest and she will start laying eggs again.
If you take out the old nest, she has to start all over again and it may encourage her to look elsewhere for housing.
If the nesting box is particularly messy, infested with insects or if there are dead babies or unhatched eggs, then you probably should clean it out using water and a stiff bristled brush. No chemicals should be used at all.
One of the best parts about the second and third broods is that the juveniles from the first hatch will help the parents feed their new siblings, so you get to enjoy the whole family!
HUMMINGBIRD STEWARDSHIP
The hummingbirds have been back since early April, but traffic at the feeders had been pretty light while they tended the first brood of chicks, feeding mostly insects for protein. Now we are seeing an increase of activity at the feeders which means those chicks have left the nest and are now feasting on high-energy nectar as well.
The immature hummers look a lot like the female so sometimes it is hard to determine if they are the new chicks. The adult males are the ones with the ruby throats. Sometimes, if the light is just right, the throat will appear almost black.
We need to give these new birds the best chance possible. Make sure your nectar is fresh. The higher temperatures can make it spoil faster and with all the rain we've had, the nectar can also become diluted with rainwater. Cleaning and refilling the feeders after heavy rains or 3-4 days of hot weather will help you attract hummingbirds and its better for them.
Hanging your feeders in a shady spot will help the nectar stay fresh longer and using a weather dome over it can help keep rainwater out.
Using sugar---regular white cane sugar---with filtered or boiled water is the best combination for these small birds. Red dye can be harmful, so don't add it or buy nectar with red dye in it.
When cleaning your feeders, use white vinegar and water. A little brush will help remove mold from nooks and crannies, and then rinse well.
The more feeders you provide, the more hummingbirds you will have. Space them 15-20' apart but make sure you put them where you will enjoy them the most. The activity will only increase throughout the summer.
The hummingbirds have been back since early April, but traffic at the feeders had been pretty light while they tended the first brood of chicks, feeding mostly insects for protein. Now we are seeing an increase of activity at the feeders which means those chicks have left the nest and are now feasting on high-energy nectar as well.
The immature hummers look a lot like the female so sometimes it is hard to determine if they are the new chicks. The adult males are the ones with the ruby throats. Sometimes, if the light is just right, the throat will appear almost black.
We need to give these new birds the best chance possible. Make sure your nectar is fresh. The higher temperatures can make it spoil faster and with all the rain we've had, the nectar can also become diluted with rainwater. Cleaning and refilling the feeders after heavy rains or 3-4 days of hot weather will help you attract hummingbirds and its better for them.
Hanging your feeders in a shady spot will help the nectar stay fresh longer and using a weather dome over it can help keep rainwater out.
Using sugar---regular white cane sugar---with filtered or boiled water is the best combination for these small birds. Red dye can be harmful, so don't add it or buy nectar with red dye in it.
When cleaning your feeders, use white vinegar and water. A little brush will help remove mold from nooks and crannies, and then rinse well.
The more feeders you provide, the more hummingbirds you will have. Space them 15-20' apart but make sure you put them where you will enjoy them the most. The activity will only increase throughout the summer.
WILDOLOGY IS NOW OPEN ON SUNDAY!
You spoke, we listened! Now you can shop at your favorite new store 7 days per week.
Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM
Sunday Noon-5PM
now open at waverly
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A birding and gift boutique to add the natural touches to your home and garden to spark joy and reconnect yourself with nature.
Visit Wildology and let yourself go WILD! 7211 Waverly Walk Avenue, B3 Charlotte, NC 28277 704-443-9000 Just south of Providence Road and I-485 Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12-5PM |
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Yes, we know.
We know that you think birding stores are for nature nerds or little old ladies with nothing better to do than sit around drinking tea and watching birds. |
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And yes, we know that you think that "birders" are just one step removed from the crazy "cat lady".
(Some of us may be approaching that line but we are SO MUCH MORE!!!) |
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We also know that there are some young hipsters who love birds. And we suspect that you may be one of them.
You love birds but you also like contemporary home decor. You like hip fashions and fun grooming products but you enjoy nature too! You like to bring some of the nature inside to enjoy. You have been waiting for bird stores to "get it".
You love birds but you also like contemporary home decor. You like hip fashions and fun grooming products but you enjoy nature too! You like to bring some of the nature inside to enjoy. You have been waiting for bird stores to "get it".
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At Wildology, we SO GET YOU!!!
Forget what you think you know about "bird stores" and check out WILDOLOGY! |
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