ALBERTA MAY 2020

Birding News

With the worry over Covid-19 some birders may feel uneasy about venturing out to retail stores. The Wild Bird Store understands these

fears and wants to let you know that we are adjusting our service as follows:

We have delivery service in place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our delivery service has been around for years and many of our

customers already take advantage of this convenient service. Call the store the day before by 3:30pm to place and pay for your

order delivery for Tuesdays or Thursdays, sit back and wait for your order to arrive.

We also have curbside service . Simply call the store (403) 640-2632, place and pay for your order (please allow 30 minutes to

process your order, then drive to the store and leave the rest to us. We will load it into your vehicle when you arrive. You don’t

need to leave your vehicle!

PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of our staff we cannot accept cash at this time. Please pay with Visa, Mastercard or e-transfer For the

safety of our staff and other customers, we no longer are accepting seed bags.

We want to be here for you through this challenging time.

There is no access to our showroom, however we are still

offering the following options for all your birding needs

Please be sure to check out our website at wildbirdstore.ca

We update it daily to ensure the information is up to date and that new products are

posted as they become part of our in-store inventory. You can read the latest edition of

our newsletter, view our calendar of events as well as search for products. Sorry we have

no ordering on line, but you can always phone The Wild Bird Store at (403) 640-2632

and one of our staff will be happy to discuss options with you.

Once again The Wild Bird Store will have Ladybugs for sale. You can order in quantities

of 1000 $14.95 +fees & GST or 3000 $39.95 +fees & GST through Eventbrite.

Ladybugs will be available the 1st week of June 2020 and we will call you when they are

available for pick-up. Please note because they are livestock, once you have been called to

pick-up you will have 48 hours to do so. Thank you

10:00am to 4:00pm

Monday through Saturday

Cedar waxwing

(Summer Waxwing)

Bohemian waxwing

(Winter Waxwing)

Breeding in open coniferous forests in the boreal zone of Alaska and Canada, Bohemian waxwing in July is beyond the reach of most birders. It wanders widely in search of sugary fruits during the winter months, however, and by February is found across southern Canada and the northern lower 48 states. Its winter movements are largely unpredictable. Enormous flocks may descend on parks, gardens, and neighborhoods containing fruit-bearing trees, and waxwings may persist in a single location until every berry is gone. The species largely vacates the northernmost part of its breeding range during winter, but flocks often remain where berries are plentiful.

Bohemian Waxwings are susceptible to intoxication and even death due to eating fermented berries. In the common name, Bohemian refers to their nomadic life style in search of fruit and berries; Waxwing, refers to the bright red bead-like tips of the secondary feathers on its wings, which look like drops of sealing wax. The genus name, Bombycilla, comes from the Latin Bombyx (silk) and cilla (tail) and refers to the silky-soft plumage of the bird, The species name garrulus means 'noisy' or 'quarrelsome.' A group of waxwings are collectively known as an

"ear-full" and a "museum" of waxwings.

Feeding fledglings berries Bohemian eating apples

The cedar waxwing is extremely gregarious and would live in large flocks of 40 or more birds all year round. They would move around from place to place depending upon the availability of berries and emerging aquatic insects for them to consume. The birds would often groom each other while spending time with their flocks. They would seldom venture near to the ground, and would frequently preen higher up onto the branches of trees. Also, these birds can easily be attracted by humans by offering them foods like chopped fruits in outdoor bird feeders.

Cedar waxwings are named for the waxy red tips on the end of their secondary feathers. The number of wax tips and their size increase as the bird gets older

Cedar waxwings LOVE fruit. They can even survive on fruit alone for several months and can often get “drunk” on overripe berries that have started to ferment and product alcohol

Brown-headed cowbirds hatched from eggs that were dropped in a Waxwing nest typically don't survive because they are unable to grow on such a high fruit diet

The tail of Cedar waxwings usually has a yellow band at the end, but in the `960s birds with orange bands started to show up in the northeastern United States. The orange colour is a result of red pigment found in non-native honeysuckle fruits being introduced to their diet

Flock of Cedar waxwings

Cedar waxwing

feeding nestlings

Natural Bird Guardian

Cedar Hole

Reducers—

Chickadee/

Nuthatch, Wren

& Bluebird

Copper Hole

Reducers—

Chickadee/Nuthatch,

Wren and Bluebird

Birds Eye Predator

Protector

Crocheted

Alpaca Nesting

Ball →

Best Nest Builder

Pine Shavings Nest Base

Nesting Material—

Birdie Bell Not Included

Use your suet cage and natural fibers: wool,

dog or cat hair (not human hair), horse hair,

twigs, natural feathers or fill with our nesting

material

Gable or Shed

cedar house kits

→

Cedar Hopper Kit

Bird Feeder/Bistro

to be Painted Kit

NEST BOXES: Make sure they are clean (use a mild

solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water) rinse

thoroughly, allow to dry completely. Wear rubber

gloves and a face mask. At the same time, inspect the

house for any areas that may need fixing. Remember

not to place nest boxes close together, near feeders (it

would be like you living next to McDonalds) or near

water. Nest boxes should be mounted a minimum 0f 20

feet apart.

If you plan to attract a wren to your backyard, this

should be the only nest box you put up as they are very

territorial and have been known to kill nestlings and

even adult birds of other species. Best to keep them

content while raising their brood.

Although each Scramble squares puzzle has only

nine pieces, these puzzles are perhaps the worlds’

most challenging puzzle yet are inexpensive.

While quantities last!

https://www.boardgames.ca/bird-opoly.html

https://pqspb.org/bpqpoq/official-canadian-birds-quiz/

FREE on line—get to know the

birds of Canada

https://www.triviaplaying.com/205-bird-trivia.htm

Bird Trivia Quiz Questions and Answers

https://www.usefultrivia.com/science_trivia/bird_trivia_index_ii.html

They are all FREE!!

https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Trivia-Game-What-

Educational/dp/B001TABLXK

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/14127/

great-north-american-bird-watching-trivia-game

competitive, medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building board game for 1-5 players plays in 40-70 minutes.

Flashcards

What fun activities have you come up with while

self-isolating, especially with the children being

home. Submit your ideas via email

info@wildbirdstore

we will share your ideas and you could win a

$50.00 gift certificate. The winner will be chosen

and announced in the July 2020 newsletter.

Word Search for Bird Nerds

PLEASE NOTE: The

guided trip to Weaselhead Natural area will be conducted at a later date to

be announced

Birding by Ear - How to identify Bird Vocalizations.

Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm - Including Field Trip to Weaselhead

Natural Area (see note below). Maximum of 20 participants

Cost: $15.00 +fees & GST—please visit Evenbrite to purchase ticket(s)

Description: Learn the basics of identifying bird songs and calls with guide Gavin McKinnon.

This workshop will teach you how to quickly identify and memorize over fifty different

songs! This course will now be offered online through Zoom.

Tickets are mandatory for

all ID classes and Bird

Walks

Gavin McKinnon

May 1st Frank Lake - Cancelled

June 6th Water Valley - Cancelled

August 8th Shorebird ID - TBD, re-evaluate closer to date

. August 28th Fall Warbler ID - TBD, re-evaluate closer to date.

To purchase tickets to any of The Wild Bird Store ID Classes, Saturday Bird Walks, Seminars or Workshops you will need to

go to eventbrite.ca and search for the event by name or click the link attached to the event.

We suggest you order your cocoons now to avoid disappointment.

Cocoons come in a box of 10/$16.50 +GST and if this is your first time, it is

recommended you order 3 to 5 boxes.

We also carry a complete line of Mason bee supplies for your one-stop shopping

convenience.

Join the ever growing

number of Calgarians who

are raising Mason bees in

their own backyards.

Hurricane Productions and Kristin have created a

seminar on Mason bees that can be viewed online in

the comfort of your own home.

To participate, please go to Eventbrite pay and sign up

for the seminar. The Wild Bird Store will send you an

invite to participate through zoom.com

Q & A will follow. Mason bees in your backyard Date April 30, 2020 Time: 3:30pm

Cost: $ 10.00 +fees & GST

Be sure your order is on the truck when we come to either of our

locations by

Texting us @ (403) 701-4571 or emailing

orders@wildbirdstore.ca

With desired location pick-up

PLEASE NOTE: earn and redeem customer loyalty points on

the Bird Seed Truck.

Can’t make it to one of our locations, we

also deliver. Send us your order by email

to orders@wildbirdstore.ca. We deliver

on Tuesdays and Thursays (except if it’s a

holiday) and require your order no later

than 4:00pm on the preceding day.

Delivery charge is applicable unless

brought to one of our locations on The

Bird Seed Truck.

Crowfoot YMCA/Arena

(corner of John Laurie Blvd. and Nose Hill Drive)

PLEASE NOTE: If The Wild Bird Store is CLOSED then the Mobile Seed Truck will not

be on location. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Winter hours October 1st to April 30th

Crowfoot YMCA/Arena Wednesdays

3:00pm to 5:30pm

Summer hours May 1st to September 30th

Crowfoot YMCA/Arena Wednesdays

2:00pm to 6:00pm

Bird Seed Truck

With the worry over Covid-19 some birders may feel uneasy about venturing out to retail stores. The Wild Bird Store understands these

fears and wants to let you know that we are adjusting our service as follows:

We have delivery service in place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our delivery service has been around for years and many of our

customers already take advantage of this convenient service. Call the store the day before by 3:30pm to place and pay for your

order to be delivered Tuesdays or Thursdays, sit back and wait for your order to arrive.

Don’t be disappointed! Phone early the day before—we can only deliver a limited number of orders on any given day.

Please pay with Visa, Mastercard or e-transfer

Check our website www.wildbirdstore.ca daily—you never know when

these discounts will appear

We offer a discount if you return your seed

bags (sorry—not the Mother Nature bags which

we cannot re-use), suet ball containers, if you

bring your own container to fill or use a bag from

our re-cycle bin. This discount is in addition to

any other discount offered.

Write a Google review on your exper ience

at The Wild Bird Store, and as a thank you, we

will give you 100 customer loyalty points

($5.00 value). To get a promo code, kindly

email info@wildbirdstore.ca

(one Google review per customer)

Earn 200 customer loyalty points ($10.00 value) by referring a friend, acquaintance or fellow birder.

Please visit the store to get a promo code.

No need for a card, just give your phone number. You earn $1.00 for every $20.00 spent (excludes “sales” items, books & optics) and can be used in-store and on Mobile Seed Truck. As a loyalty member our monthly promotions and in-store “specials” are automatically given at the cash register.

Combining our Seniors 10% discount with the Loyalty Program. (Excludes “sales” items, books & optics).

Discount for membership 10% discount for members of Fish Creek Park, AIWC, Priddis Golf Club, Nature Calgary, Sandy Cross Conservation and Springbank Garden Club. Must present valid membership card at time of purchase.

Bird Walk BONUS Card Sign up and participate in 9 Bird Walks with either Jim St. Laurent or Gavin McKinnon and receive the 10th bird walk FREE . Cards are available from either Jim or Gavin.

Located at The Wild Bird Store (near the seed

bins). We collect your donations and arrange to

deliver them to Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation

Society. For their wish list please visit:

http://calgarywildlife.org/wishlist/

PLEASE NOTE: The Wild Bird Store is still

taking donations for Calgary Wildlife

Rehabilitation. Please phone The Wild Bird

Store (403)640-2632 to let us know you have

items to donate and we will remove them

from your trunk and make sure they are

picked up by Calgary Wildlife.

Have you been into The Galler-oom? Come see the display of art and home décor for sale, from

local artists and photographers.

This is where we run our seminars from September to May as well as presentations from birding experts. For information on these

seminars and presentations see the Seminars and Presentations section of the newsletter or go to our website and check out the Calendar of

Events.

The Galler-oom is also for rent for small groups of 35 people of less that need a meeting or event space. Table and chairs are available as well as

refreshments for $50/hour. For more information or to book the room, please email info@wildbirdstore.ca.

Next Month: Use Native Plants

This month: Keep Cats Indoors

go to YouTube and type in: #Bring Birds Back—Keep Cats Indoors

You may think that it’s no big deal in the larger scheme of things if

your cat occasionally brings home a mouse or bird, but multiply

that by an estimated 154 million cats living in homes and on the

streets and the death toll add up.

Nestlings are baby birds still in the nest. They are vulnerable to

cats and other predators because they can’t yet get out of the

nest. Not only that, but their parents will defend them from harm.

Since even the fiercest songbird parent is no match for a cat, this

often means nestlings go hungry because there’s only one parent

to find food for them, and are sometimes orphaned.

Fledglings are birds that have only just left the nest. The parents

may or may not still be feeding them. Fledglings are vulnerable to

cats because they aren’t yet very good at flying, so they can’t get

away.

Migratory birds are especially vulnerable when they are trying to

rest during exhausting journeys of hundreds or even thousands of

miles.

The challenge: Birds have fewer places to safely rest during migration and to raise their young: More than 10 million acres of land in the United States were converted to developed land from 1982 to 1997.

The cause: Lawns and pavement don’t offer enough food or shelter for many birds and other wildlife. With more than 40 million acres of lawn in the U.S. alone, there’s huge potential to support wildlife by replacing lawns with native plantings.

Add native plants, watch birds come in: Native plants add interest and beauty to your yard and neighborhood, and provide shelter and nesting areas for birds. The nectar, seeds, berries, and insects will sustain birds and diverse wildlife.

See how your support enables our work to improve the

understanding and protection of birds and the natural world.

Your Impact

5901 3rd Street S.E. Monday through Saturday phone lines open10:00am to 4:00pm

For curb side pick up or to arrange for delivery.

CLOSED Sundays and ALL Statutory holidays for Faith, Family & Friends

Phone: (403)640-2632

Web: wildbirdstore.ca

email: info@wildbirdstore.ca

Go to YouTube, type in the search bar “The Wild Bird Store” to watch our videos and to help

us become more visible . Be sure to click on “Subscribe” before you leave the page.

- - - - - - - -

The Wild Bird Store

Is the warranty & repair depot for:

Squirrel Buster® Bird Feeders

Aspects® Feeders

Droll Yankee® Bird Feeders

And the warranty depot for:

Leupold Binoculars & Spotting

Scopes

@thewildbirdstoreyyc

@wildbirdstoreyyc

Monday, May 18, 2020

Stay positive, happy & healthy