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118th Annual - 2017/2018
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Details in Dave's December Bird Chatter Below
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Every year we cut down a special tree or locate a tree at a local retail store to take home and decorate to celebrate the season. It becomes a very special center piece where family and friends gather in peace. I hope you enjoy our contribution to this symbol of Christmas.
Dave Titterington
Wild Bird Habitat Store
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Bird of the month - THE BLUE JAY
Read about this jay below
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The Wild Bird Habitat Stores
are proud members of the
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CHRISTMAS CARDINALS
SCROLL DOWN
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December News Notes For Birders:
- December is the 117th Annual Christmas Bird Count. Details below
- The winter survival of many songbirds is enhanced by backyard bird feeders.
- Continue keeping an eye out for any new birds at your feeders or in your yard.
- Northern Goldfinches are arriving in droves. Make sure your Nyjer thistle is fresh.
- Share your special feeding area with family and friends this Holiday Season. Watch how excited they get. Maybe they'll become another lifelong birding enthusiast.
- Open water in winter is vital for birds to survive. Checkout our de-icers & heated bird baths.
- Bird feeders and bird feeding supplies make great Holiday gifts. Give a gift of nature.
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Wachiska Audubon's Christmas Potluck Dinner
Details below |
Check out Wild Bird Habitat Store's
IN Store Holiday Specials at both Lincoln locations
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Nothing is more enjoyable in a white winter landscape than the bright red splash of Northern Cardinals at the feeders or perched in the boughs of a pine or cedar tree, the colors of the season provided by nature.
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Bird Feeding 101
In this newsletter |
GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT
Annual Prairie Chicken Festival
Prairie Chicken, Sharp Tailed Grouse Festival & Viewing in the Sandhills at the Switzer Ranch, Burwell, Nebraska.
Friday-Sunday, April 13-15
Full agenda for the weekend will be sent to all participants.
$500/person (double)
Single room options may be available at an additional $75.
Registration and deposit is due by January 5.
Experience the booming and dancing of the greater prairie chicken and sharp-tailed grouse during lek tours on the Switzer Ranch through Calamus Outfitters.
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Sponsored by the
Pioneers Park Nature Center |
This multi-day excursion includes transportation, two nights of lodging, meals dinner Friday - lunch, Sunday, early morning guided lek tours on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and guided birding and wildlife viewing at the Calamus reservoir on Saturday. An optional jeep tour of the 10,000+ acre Switzer Ranch can be book for Saturday for an additional $50/person.
Known for their mating dance, the greater prairie chickens display together in a gathering called a lek. The male prairie chickens raise their ear tuft feathers, inflate the bright orange air sacks on their neck, and stomp about in order to attract the females. Similarly the sharp-tailed grouse will display or dance to attract female grouse to their dancing grounds as well.
Greater prairie chickens are a vulnerable species. Prairie habitat fragmentation and loss have been a factor in the reduction of numbers. Today, the populations of greater prairie chicken are isolated to the mixed grass prairies of the central United States. Preservation and restoration of prairie habitat have been successful at stabilizing population numbers.
$250 deposit is due by January 5, 2018 and includes non-refundable $50 fee. The remaining balance is due by March 1, 2018. The deposit minus the registration fee is refundable until January 5, 2018. The paid balance minus the deposit is refundable until March 1, 2018.
Contact the Pioneers Park Nature Center at (402) 442-7895 for more information or to register for this exciting weekend trip
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Don't miss Dave's November Bird Chatter
Just scroll down |
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Holiday Potluck and Silent Auction
Thursday, December 14, 6:15 p.m.
begins with a potluck. Bring 1-2 favorite dishes to share along with your own table service. Drinks will be provided. Friends and family are invited to this free public event. A silent auction will be ongoing. Program will be "Bird Lists, Bird Song, Christmas Counts, and More" by Jason St. Sauver of Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. Location will be Lincoln's Unitarian Church, 6300 A Street, in Lincoln. See details below.
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The Wild Bird Habitat Stores offer one of the highest quality lines of wild bird feeds on the market. We offer over 20 mixes and single seed wild bird feeds, with deliveries made directly to our stores from Des Moines Feed twice weekly and rotated to maintain freshness. Our wild bird feeds are guaranteed to attract more birds. Our customers know and so do the birds.
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Blue Jay
The Blue Jay and the Crow have the reputation of being the sentinels for danger in the world of birds. When a flock of noisy Jays come into your feeding area, most birds scatter or head for cover. Many think it is the Jay itself that causes this. Occasionally they may sound the alarm to free-up space for themselves at overcrowded feeders, but more often it is a call that alarms not only other birds in the area but many mammals in the vicinity of a nearby predator such as a hawk, fox, or cat. Squirrels will rush for the trees and even deer seem startled by the alarm.
CLICK to read more about this remarkable bird
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| Check out "BIRD FEEDING 101" below |
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Dave's December Bird Chatter
December is the month for the annual Christmas Bird Count. Now in its 118th year, it is fun and adventurous. There are always a number of rare or unusual birds that are sighted. If you can participate in the field, it can be rewarding. If not, perhaps you will watch your feeders on count day and report the birds you see. Often times, counting birds at backyard bird feeders is the difference between a successful count and an average count since it allows many more individuals and families to participate. Become a citizen scientist and provide valuable data so biologists can determine the state of our birds.
CLICK to read more Bird Chatter
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Arnie's Pet Foods is happy to announce adding several new lines
of all natural pet foods to our inventory...coming soon to
Arnie's Pet Foods
a division of Wild Bird Habitat
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By Dave at Wild Bird Habitat
Our winter birds, the Red-breasted nuthatch, Dark-eyed Juncos, Harris's and White-crowned sparrows, and others are beginning to arrive. They are replacing the birds of summer such as orioles, grosbeaks and bluebirds, which are now but warm weather memories. The warblers who have nested to our north are passing through this month, stopping in our yards for a splash in the bird bath and to glean what insects remain before retreating further south ahead of the approaching winter. Yes, autumn is a time of great change.
CLICK to read full article
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Get out in nature this winter with the help of
THE PIONEERS PARK NATURE CENTER
check out
Healthy kids and adults play outdoors
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How Important Is Water In Winter For Birds
Temperatures have definitely been falling in the northern states and
Central Great Plains as winter approaches. Even many southern states have experienced some cooler weather than normal. As the mercury drops it becomes increasingly more difficult for birds to find open water. In some areas a mid-day sun may melt enough snow to fulfill a birds requirement for water, but there is no guarantee of this as the icy grip of winter slowly sets in on the Plains and elsewhere.
CLICK to read full article
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Check out Wild Bird Habitat's by clicking on
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Is your bird bath heater ready to go?
It won't be long before we get our first taste of temperatures below freezing on the Great Plains. Many folks may be left with a thin layer of ice on their bird baths. The weather is going to warm, but this is just a reminder of what is to come. Now is a great time to test your bird bath heater and make sure you're ready for cold weather.
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PEANUT BIRD FEEDERS
One of Dave's favorite and bird feeders
Check out Dave's photos below
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Peanut Feeders - A picture is worth a thousand words
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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Brome Bird Care
Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Check out these amazing feeders below |
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Best Woodpecker Suet Plugs
Attractor High Energy Suet Plugs available at
the Wild Bird Habitat Stores
- Roasted Peanut Attractor Plugs
- Sunflower Attractor Plugs
- No-Melt Peanut Butter Attractor Plugs
By the pack or by the case, woodpeckers love 'em
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Environmentally friendly feeders!
Check out Birds Choice professional feeders below
Made in the USA / Lifetime warranty |
Environmentally Friendly Bird Feeders
Although the durability and natural look of cedar bird feeders continue to be preferred, the new line of feeders made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic is gaining in popularity. Many of these bird feeders have a lifetime warranty against fading, pealing, cracking, and chipping. They clean up like brand new, even after years of use. And speak of easy cleaning, many of the cedar and recycled plastic feeders we stock have removable perforated steel bottoms. This also allows moisture to pass through and the seed to remain dry.
Made in the USA
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SQUIRREL PROOF
BIRD FEEDERS
2 YEAR TO LIFETIME WARRANTIES
BROME
BIRD CARE
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Did you know Wild Bird Habitat Store's wild bird feeds, poultry feeds, and pigeon feeds are NON-GMO, pesticide free, and premium grade
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SANDHILL CRANE VIEWING TRIP
Travel to the Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska to Witness the Migration of OVER 500,000 Sandhill Cranes
Friday, March 9
Noon - 10:30 pm
$85/person
Registration and payment is due by February 9.
One of the world's greatest migrations converges right here in Nebraska. Witness these spectacular birds as they forage and dance in the fields and fly above us on our way to the Ian Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska.
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Sponsored by the Pioneers Park Nature Center |
Stops will include a visit to the Crane Trust Nature
and Visitor Center and dinner at Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse. Our final stop will be Rowe Sanctuary where we will hear a short presentation on cranes and make our way to a private viewing blind along the Platte River. As we watch the sunset, we'll listen to thousands of cranes and observe them as they gather on the river for the night. Included in this remarkable experience is transportation, dinner, and cost of the blind. (The $25 blind reservation fee is nonrefundable if the trip is canceled. Participants must have the ability to walk uneven trails in low light.
Space is limited. Register by February 9. This is an annual trip. Registration opens in January. The trip is typically scheduled to take place at the peak of the Sandhill Crane migration in early-mid March.
Contact the Pioneers Park Nature Center at (402) 442-7895 for more information or to register for this exciting day trip
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Nebraska - A top birding region in North America
Learn below where to go birding in Nebraska |
Nebraska - A top birding region in North America
Learn below where to go birding in Nebraska |
Hard copy field guide or APP?
Get free bird ID APPS below from Cornell Bird Lab |
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WHERE TO GO BIRDING IN NEBRASKA
A top North American Birding Area
Listing more than 400 bird watching sites across the state of Nebraska. From the Missouri River Valley to the panhandle's rugged Pine Ridge, you'll find world class bird watching, scenic vistas, and a remarkable Nebraska Heritage around every corner.
nebraskabirdingtrails.com
Bird watching in seven counties in Eastern Nebraska. Find birding sites right out your backdoor in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Lancaster, Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington counties.
nebraskametrobirding.com
Central Nebraska, one of the major migratory routes on the continent. From Sandhill Cranes to Prairie Chickens, shore birds to prairie dog towns, it's an incredible journey you don't want to miss.
nebraskaflyway.com
Chicken Dance Birding Trail, 27 counties in Southwestern Nebraska
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Identify Birds with your Android or IPhone
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Wildlife Rescue needs your help
Lear below how you can help |
Deter squirrels and blackbirds with Nutra Safflower & regular safflower
Everything you need to know - scroll down |
Project BEAK
Bird Education Awareness for Kids
Connect kids with birds below |
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Want to know what birds birders are seeing in your area?
Want to let other birders know what birds you see?
Its fun and easy at
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It's Finally Ready and its all FREE to download
MERLIN BIRD PHOTO ID
Photo ID now in mobile apps
A new advanced version of the Photo ID tool is now available for download in the latest version of Merlin Bird ID for
Android and
iPhone. Select an image from your smartphone image gallery or snap a shot from the back of your cameras viewfinder, and Merlin will walk you through the 2 quick steps before showing you a list of possible species.
Also the Merlin Bird ID app at
MERLIN
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Wild Bird Habitat Stores
recipients of the 2015
Best U.S. Birding Retailer
from
Gold Crest Distribution, Birding Business Magazine
& leaders in the Bird Feeding Industry
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Nutra Safflower for Goldfinch
Nyjer thistle seed has traditionally been the preferred seed of the American Goldfinch. The cost of Nyjer seed can vary greatly as it is a product imported to North America from India and Ethiopia and they set the price, and the price is rising once again. Nyjer is an oil seed which is why it is enjoyed so much by finches. In countries where it is grown this seed is crushed and used for cooking oil, much as in North America we crush black oil sunflower and safflower seed for cooking oil.
At Wild Bird Habitat Store we have received many reports and have had personal experience that Goldfinch readily feed on Nutra Safflower seed. In fact they may prefer it over Nyjer thistle seed. This could be a great alternative to supplementing Nyjer thistle seed for attracting Goldfinch. One benefit of Nutra Safflower is that this is a product grown by American farmers.
Nutra Safflower is available in 20 and 50 pound bags at the Wild Bird Habitat Store locations or by bulk quantity.
Internet customers can order Nutra Safflower seed on line. Although Wild Bird Habitat Stores Internet store offers free shipping on orders over $100, there is
no free shipping on wild bird feeds. That allows us to keep our Internet wild bird feed prices low.
Order Nutra Safflower on line.
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Caged Peanut Feeders -
Feed woodpeckers not squirrels & starlings
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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Attractor Suet Plugs - Highly nutritious
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Nebraska Birding Trails Website
Has a New Look
The Nebraska Birding Trails was developed in 2003 listing more than 400 birding sites across Nebraska. Chaired by Dave Titterington of Nebraska's Wild Bird Habitat Stores with members of the Nebraska Bird Partnership's Birding Trails Work-group which was comprised of members from government agencies, the University of Nebraska, Nebraska Travel and Tourism, Nebraska Ornithologists Union, and conservation groups and individual birders, it was an immediate success. Recently the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission with the help of Nebraska Educational Television revised the Nebraska Birding Trails website to give it a new look and make navigation locating birding sites easier. We hope you check it out at:
NEBRASKA BIRDING TRAILS
Two other websites developed by the Educational Work-group of the Nebraska Bird Partnership have also been revised.
PROJECT BEAK -
Project BEAK is an interactive, web-based curriculum that contains scientifically accurate information about avian conservation, avian form, function and other adaptations that help birds survive, Nebraska's unique avian biodiversity, Nebraska's threatened and endangered birds, plus video clips, interactive games, quizzes and diagrams, additional resources and links, and classroom lesson plans.
This website is devoted to helping Nebraskans and visitors identify and learn about the over 400 species of birds which can be found in our state. Are you trying to identify a bird you saw? Use "search by characteristics", where you can search by size, color, range, and habitat. Or, you can search or browse the full Nebraska bird list by common name, scientific name, or bird group.
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During spring and early summer dozens of migrating and nesting birds become injured or orphaned. Volunteers are needed to help these birds recover and return to the wild.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Founded in 1979, Wildlife Rescue Team, Inc is a non-profit, independent, all volunteer organization dedicated to raising and rehabilitating Nebraska's injured and orphaned wildlife for eventual release back into their natural habitats. Wildlife Rescue Team, Inc relies solely on private private donations and contributions, membership fees, and donations of products for the benefit of ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
YOU CAN HELP
There is always a need for cash donations as well as wildlife rehabilitators, phone volunteers, people willing to build cages, locations for animal releases, people to pick up injured or orphaned animals to transport to drop off locations, local businesses to provide discounts for supplies, and veterinarian assistance.
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South Lincoln, NE location
5601 South 56th Street
In the Alamo Plaza
North Lincoln, NE location
4840 Orchard Street
in the little white house
Toll Free Phone: (800) 606-2553
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