Hummingbirds & Nectar

Hang nectar feeders away from seed feeders. Nectar is made with table sugar (one part) and water (four parts) and should not contain red food coloring.  Keep the feeders clean and up all year.

Suet

Suet offered in a tailprop feeder will feed attract the non-seed eating songbirds and insectivores, as well as feed the woodpeckers.

Water

Add a birdbath! Birds need water on a daily basis for sipping and for cleaning their feathers.  Water can be offered in a hanging, pedestal or ground bird bath. Hummingbirds prefer misting water.

Mealworms

A mealworm feeder offering either live or dried mealworms can be added for the insectivores like bluebirds, phoebes, wrens and worm-munching seed eaters like chickadees.

Ground Feeding

Some birds such as the doves, quail, towhee, sparrows, and juncos prefer open 

feeding of millet and safflower on the ground. You can broadcast seed on the 

ground or provide a screen feeder for them.  They will also pick up any seed that drops to the ground under the feeders.          

       

The survival of niche stores depends on service, knowledgeable staff and quality products. For the Birder's Garden I also look for Made In America, functionality and warranties, integrity of the company and accessibly to the ownership. Erva Tool & Manufacturing brings those qualities to the Birder's Garden. 

Founded in 1967 Erva began as a  tool and die shop. At age seven Erwin Heyek started working with his dad to earn spending money. He attended college, received an Internship with Anheuser-Busch and received a graduate business degree before moving to Chicago to work with the family company. Wanting to spruce up his yard for his parents' 50th Anniversary celebration in 1992 Erwin visited his local backyard birding store to purchase a baffle. Disappointment by the quality he set out to offer stores a better option. He produced a pole baffle and sent samples to backyard birding stores asking their opinion and suggestions for other needed products. Today they produce baffles, bird baths, feeders, rain guards, tubular poles, hooks, Shepherd staffs and lots of accessories.  Erva is recognized as the leading source of backyard bird feeding hardware. 

Recognized by their contrasting black and orange plumage, orioles are common tropical to subtropical seasonal migrants to North America.  Their intricate hanging nests are an impressive combination of engineering and weaving.  

Most species boast a melodious song and tolerance for humans.

Both Bullock's and Hooded Orioles arrive in the Bay Area beginning in late March and depart in September.  Both species also enjoy the same nectar solution used to feed hummingbirds, jelly, mealworms and will feed on sliced oranges offered in a suet cage or fruit feeder.  While orioles can use some hummingbird feeders, they prefer a specialty feeder designed with wider ports to accommodate their beaks, larger size perches to rest on, and jelly wells.

Northern California has become a popular nesting site for the Hooded Oriole.  The increasing number of palm trees combined with the offerings of nectar intended for hummingbirds has led to the expansion of its range in California.  The female weaves the pendulous nest, produces 1-2 broods per year of 3-5 dull white eggs which incubate in 12-14 days,  fledge in 12-14 days, with complete  migration to Central and South America.

 

Helping Nesting Birds

If you find a baby bird on the ground and it has feathers, leave it alone and watch from a distance. Several species of birds leave their nests before they can fly. The parents will come to feed and care for the fledgling until it can fly. If the baby bird does not have feathers or is in danger, look for the nest and put the baby bird back. 
If the bird appears hurt or unable to care for itself, carefully place it in a box and contact wildlife rescue at 650-340-7022 x314.

 

Tips for helping nesting birds:

Make sure there are no hidden nests before trimming trees or shrubs.

Keep cats indoors.

Do not use pesticides near nests or on/near potential food sources.

Provide clean water and fresh food.

ASPECTS INC - Change in Warranty Policy

Aspects, Inc.'s business philosophy to manufacture high-quality products from the best materials possible has made them a respected name in the backyard bird feeding industry. Recently they have been made aware that major online stores, Amazon and eBay, have knowingly allowed direct counterfeit bird feeders bearing the Aspects name, trademarks, logo, packaging, etc. to be sold over their sites. Unfortunately due to this issue we will no longer be able to warranty repair or replace any Aspects feeders that have not been purchased at the Birder's Garden. It will now be necessary to provide the original sales receipt.

Services Available at the Birder's Garden

Delivery Service

Home and office delivery of seed and merchandise is available Tuesday - Saturday on the Peninsula for a nominal fee.  Regular monthly orders can also be scheduled.    Watch for the order form.

Customer Discounts

Discounts are available through our Birder's Dozen Rewards,  Suet Case Pricing and the monthly discount coupon found in this newsletter or on the web at www.birdersgarden.com. 

Feeder Cleaning & Repair

Keeping feeders clean and in good condition is essential to healthy and safe bird feeding.  We clean and repair most brands whether or not they have been bought at the Birder's Garden.  There is a nominal fee and the service usually takes 1-3 days.

Free Parking

Easy and convenient parking is available in front of the store on the El Camino and in the parking lot directly behind the store.  The parking lot is accessible by the alley from either Arroyo Avenue or Morse Blvd.

Out-Reach Programs

The Birder's Garden offers informational, educational, and sometimes entertaining presentations to garden clubs, community groups and school organizations.

New Products

Culturas Metal Birds

Tibet Chimes

Chicken Essentials