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Enjoy our summer birds beyond the bird feeder!
Read more below
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House Finch feeding on Nutra safflower
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Bird of the month
House Finch
The House Finch, a now common bird that visits bird feeders throughout the Eastern, Midwestern, and Central Great Plains states, is actually a western bird species that was introduced from California into Long Island, NY by caged bird dealers around 1940. They were being sold in the pet trade as Hollywood Linnets, or Hollywood Finch since many were captured around the Los Angeles area. When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found out agents put a stop to it. House Finches are federally protected birds and the trapping and attempted selling of these birds was highly illegal. Heavy fines and jail terms were threatened, so those in possession of these birds turned them loose. The hardy ones made it through the cold New England winters and by 1972 the numbers were exploding all over the East. This type of growth has continued and by about 1985 they were crossing the Mississippi River. As many of you know this bird is now abundant throughout the Midwest and Great Plains States.
CLICK to read more about the House Finch
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Don't miss ARNIE'S CORNER below
Special offer on the #1 dental dog chews
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Dave's July Bird Chatter
The mild winter and even milder spring seems to have led to a rather hot summer. The birds have made it to their nesting grounds and are currently raising families. Hard to imagine in a short 4 to 6 weeks the songbirds will begin drifting south on a slow migration. Wrens seem to be plentiful. I hear them most everywhere I go. Purple Martins are fledging their young, and Bluebirds appear to be having a good season with folks enjoying them for the first time after installing nest boxes. Many customers have Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Indigo Bunting gracing their yards. The length of time they visit the bird feeders depends on where you live and how vigilant you are to keep their food available. Summer bird feeding has been most enjoyable with a good variety of birds visiting well stocked feeders.
CLICK to read more of July's Bird Chatter
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| Get tips for maintaining a clean bird bath below |
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NOW AVAILABLE
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Small,
Medium, and
Large cages available
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Protect your bird feeder
from
blackbirds and squirrels
Retro fit your existing seed tube bird feeder to be a safe
haven for small birds and
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Starlings and unwanted birds robbing your suet?
Learn the tricks to stop suet robbers below |
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Beyond the Bird Feeder - Summer
By the end of July we'll be looking at the "dog days of summer". But for many songbirds, by months end the thought of seasonal changes is stirring and there is a restlessness about them. For birds the August sun will be setting earlier and by then the days will have become noticeably shorter, especially to our north. But it is still July in the Central Plains and Midwest, and there is plenty of time to enjoy our summer resident birds before they begin their trek south, many leaving the continent.
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Peanuts - Woodpeckers love 'em
A high energy treat / high in fat
Check out our peanut feeders below |
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Bird Bath Maintenance
It can be a challenge keeping a bird bath clean during the hot summer months. Algae is always a problem as well as debris left by the birds as they bathe and satisfy their need to stay hydrated. A good first step to reducing algae build up is keeping the bath in a shady area, but not hidden from view of the birds. Sun promotes algae growth.
Some folks may opt not to provide fresh water for birds in a backyard bird bath for fear of providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The truth is a well maintained bird bath which is regularly used by birds does not create a mosquito breeding ground. Water has a surface tension quality. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface where it takes approximately 3 days to hatch after which the larvae sink into the water to mature as an adult. If that surface tension is broken by bathing birds or adding water regularly, the mosquito eggs sink to the bottom and do not hatch.
Its a bird bath full of debris, stagnant water, unused by birds and not maintained that provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. So it is essential to maintain the bird bath to eliminate a mosquito problem and provide fresh water for birds.
CLICK for bird bath cleaning and maintenance tips
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Feeding live meal worms
A special treat for your backyard birds
Scroll down |
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European Starling on Suet Stumper.
The Suet Stumper turns a basic suet cage into an up-side down suet feeder. By leaving the hard plastic tray on the suet cake the suet is only exposed from the bottom where woodpeckers, Chickadees, and nuthatches can easily cling to feed
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Stopping the Suet Robbers
Suet is a year round product many of us enjoy feeding to attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other birds of the tree trunk zone. Once considered a wintertime feed, it has been proven these birds will feed on more suet during the spring and summer than all winter long. Woodpeckers will even bring their young for a treat of this high protein food once they have left the nest. But all to often the suet seems to attract unwanted guests. I would consider Starlings to be the number one pest, capable of consuming an entire suet cake in a short period of time. Occasionally squirrels will be attracted to suet if it contains one of their favorite treats, peanuts. I have never had a problem with Grackles, not to say if the suet is easily accessible that these loathed birds would not take the opportunity to raid the feeder. But it is the Starling that predates on our suet offerings the most, especially in recent weeks when they are busily feeding their young. They don't seem to be as big a problem at the moment as they prefer to forage for grubs in well manicured lawns, or scavenge for
scraps at the local fast food dumpster.
And be careful not to encourage Starlings to your yard by throwing out bread, popcorn, and other scraps. These
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Available at Wild Bird Habitat |
products are like putting out the welcome mat for these non-native scroungers. Upside-down suet feeders work well to discourage Starlings, or at least make it more challenging for them to get at the suet. Unlike woodpeckers, these birds have a difficult time clinging, and as such, these feeders will help to eliminate them for the most part.
But when all else fails, there are several suet feeders that will prevent them from raiding the suet all together. Suet which is protected by a cage is very accessible to woodpeckers and the birds we want to attract, but are impossible for Starlings, squirrels, and Grackles to get at. And the upside-down suet log has received rave reviews from customers that use them.
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Attractor Suet Plugs - Highly nutritious
Scroll down for more information |
PIONEERS PARK NATURE CENTER
Summer newsletter packed with
Nature Center news, events, activities,
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Nebraska - A top birding region in North America
Learn below where to go birding in Nebraska |
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Feeding Live Mealworms
Mealworms can add some excitement to your backyard bird feeding. Bluebirds will readily take these live worms when they are placed in a dish on or near the ground close to their nest box. They will collect them and return to the box to feed the nestlings. But what if you live in an urbanized area where bluebirds don't nest? Well you can still add mealworms to your backyard bird feeding menu. Robins, Cardinals, Jays and others will enjoy them as well. You can just toss a few on the patio, or put them in a dish. Just remember, when feeding mealworms it is best to ration them. Think of it as a daily treat for your birds. Do this at approximately the same time each day and you may find the birds will be waiting for you to deliver.
Mealworms available at Wild Bird Habitat Stores
500 count just $10.95
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Hard copy field guide or APP?
Get free bird ID APPS below from Cornell Bird Lab |
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ARNIE
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Arnie's Corner
If you notice any of these signs of dental
problems, then take your dog to the vet:
- Bad breath.
- Change in eating or dog chewing habits.
- Pawing at the face or mouth.
- Excessive drooling.
- Discolored, teeth.
AVOID THESE CANINE DENTAL PROBLEMS
#
1 Vet Recommended
Dental Chew for Dogs & Cats
A Size for ALL dogs
Arnie's Special Offer On
GREENIES
- SAVE $2 on one 6 oz. bag or larger of GREENIES canine dental chews plus a $1 bonus coupon
- SAVE $4 on one 27 oz. tub or larger of GREENIES canine dental chews plus a $2 bonus coupon
(also available in GRAIN FREE)
ARNIE'S PET FOOD STORE
Arnie's All Natural Pet Foods
located inside
Wild Bird Habitat Store
Alamo Plaza 56TH & Hwy 2
Online at
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Is it too late to put up a bluebird nest box?
Get the answer below
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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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Environmentally friendly feeders!
Check out Birds Choice professional feeders below
Made in the USA / Lifetime warranty |
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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 |
We are often asked if June and July is too late to put up a bluebird box.
Bluebirds have two and often three broods each nesting season if weather allows. In fact I have had bluebirds nest as late as August in a newly installed bluebird nest box. Anytime during the summer there is an opportunity to attract a pair of bluebirds to a nest box.
For a bluebird nest box truly house sparrow resistant check out the Gilbertson PVC bluebird nest box. Developed by Steve Gilbertson from Brainard Minnesota, tested and approved by the North American Bluebird Society
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Deter squirrels and blackbirds with Nutra Safflower & regular safflower
Everything you need to know - scroll down |
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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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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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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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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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Peanut Feeders - A picture is worth a thousand words
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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Caged Peanut Feeders -
Feed woodpeckers not squirrels & starlings
photos by Dave of Wild Bird Habitat
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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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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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ARNIE'S CORNER
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ARNIE |
How long does each life-stage of a dog last
On average, smaller dogs mature faster and live longer than larger
breeds
; bigger dogs mature later and generally show shorter spans of adulthood and senior citizenship. That said, every dog develops and ages at her own rate. The following is a rough breakdown of the stages of canine life:
- Puppyhood ends between six and 18 months of age.
- Adolescence starts between six and 18 months of age.
- Adulthood starts between 12 months and three years of age.
- The senior years begin between six and 10 years of age.
Keep in mind
Dogs are as individual as people; there's no hard-and-fast rule for what she'll do and when she'll do it. If you treat your dog with the love and respect she deserves, what you can count on in return is devotion, adoration, and a mistake or two along the way as the two of you learn to
communicate across the human-canine divide
.
Bottom line:
Dogs age at different speeds, with large dogs generally maturing more slowly than small dogs. But timing aside, they all go through the same stages: energetic
puppyhood,
unpredictable
adolescence
, the relatively smooth ride of
adulthood
, and the slower, lazier
senior
years.
Dogs go through four stages of the life cycle: puppy, adolescent, adult and senior. Like humans and other mammals, individual dogs move through the stages of the life cycle at different rates. The rate of aging depends on factors such as genetics, nutrition and the quality of care your dog receives.
Puppy
The puppy stage of the life cycle begins after about 63 days of gestation. This stage lasts until the dog is 6 to 18 months old. For at least the first 8 weeks of his life, your puppy should be with his mother and siblings. During the puppy stage -- both while with his mom and after he comes to you -- your dog is learning about the proper way to interact with humans, other dogs and other pets sharing his home. During this stage of the life cycle, it's important to begin house training and get your puppy's compete set of vaccinations.
Adolescent
The puppy stage will give way to adolescence sometime between the ages of 6 and 18 months. Smaller breed dogs will go into the adolescent stage earlier than larger breed dogs. This is the stage of the life cycle when hormones start to kick in and, if not spayed/neutered, your dog may begin to act like a moody teenager. Your dog will lose his puppy fur and grow to his adult size, though he may be awkward with his body and appear gawky until he gets accustomed to his new size. At the beginning of this stage of the life cycle have your dog altered and consider obedience training.
Adult
Between the ages of 1 and 3 years, your dog enters the adult stage of life. As with adolescence, smaller breeds reach this stage in less time than larger breeds. During this phase of the life cycle, your dog will still enjoy plenty of exercise and playtime, but he likely won't be so demanding of your attention and will not burst with the same amounts of energy that kept you busy during earlier stages. He is likely completely house-trained by now. Consider obedience training or advanced training. Your adult dog will continue to thrive from the mental and physical exercise of learning.
Senior
From adulthood your dog will enter the senior stage of the life cycle sometime between his 6th and 10th birthday. Unlike with adolescence and adulthood, larger breed dogs reach this stage of the life cycle at a younger age than smaller breed dogs. During this stage of the life cycle your dog's muzzle will likely begin to gray. He will move more slowly and, instead of a brisk game of fetch, he'll be more content with a stroll. Your senior dog may eat less and sleep more than he has at other times of his life.
Visit Arnie's Pet Food Store for a complete line of five star rated all natural pet foods for all the life stages of your dog.
Arnie's Pet Foods is located inside the Wild Bird Habitat Store in the Alamo Plaza, 56th & Hwy 2
Visit Arnie's online at
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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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