Erva Twist-On Pole Arms
As we progress through fall and activity at feeders continues to increase, you may find yourself in the position of wanting to break that old feeder out of storage, or maybe even buy something new, although you don’t want to invest in a new pole just for one feeder. Fortunately, we have a cost effective solution already in stock! Enter the twist on pole arms from Erva. These simple and effective additions to your bird feeding station come in five sizes, with the largest being able to hold up to 10 pounds and accommodate weight activated squirrel proof feeders, such as a Squirrel Buster. Regardless of your type of pole, be it shepherds hook, square pole with removable top, or modular one inch pole system, we have a twist on arm that will work for you! Prices range from $8 to $19.
Bird Bio: Brown Creeper
Have you ever heard of a bird called the Brown Creeper? If not, one could easily be forgiven if you have never seen (or heard of) these tiny, unassuming songbirds, but you are missing out on a fascinating bird! One of our favorite winter residents, these miniscule members of the Treecreeper family (the only member of this family found in North America) usually begin to be spotted in the area in September or October and hang around until spring migration. In size, they are slightly smaller than a White-breasted Nuthatch, but larger than a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Their streaked brown upper coloration provides excellent camouflage against both natural predators and backyard birders alike. Look for these birds spiraling their way up along the trunks of mature trees. An interesting characteristic of the Brown Creepers is that they will never climb down a tree, the way a nuthatch will. Rather, they will fly down, often back to the base of the tree to begin their upward spiral in search of food again. According the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, during the course of the day the Creeper will burn 4-10 calories. This means that by consuming one spider, these efficient birds will gain enough food energy for a vertical climb of 200 feet.
Brown Creeper
Bluebirds Flocking Together
It is that time of year again! With breeding season long gone, Eastern Bluebirds become far more tolerant of each other and can be observed flocking together throughout the winter months. We have already received several reports of this behavior from customers, as well as in our own yards. It is not uncommon to see groups of three or more together at birdbaths on frosty mornings during the late fall and winter months. This week by one of my boxes, I observed three males sitting on the limbs of a nearby bush together. This is another reason we often tell folks that it is never truly too soon to put up a bluebird box!
In addition, we are still observing at our homes and hearing reports from customers of bluebirds exploring bluebird boxes. In cold winter weather, small flocks of bluebirds will pack into houses together, using their body heat to keep each other alive on frigid nights.
Bluebirds Investigating a Nest Box
An abundance of Cedar Waxwings
This morning getting into my car, I heard the unmistakable high pitched whistle that signals the presence of Cedar Waxwings. A cursory glance around the trees soon revealed their location: A large hackberry. Any tree or bush that produces berries is a great place to look. Privet, Hackberry, and Honeysuckle are all excellent places to spot waxwings throughout the fall and winter months. Once you learn to identify their call, you will likely be surprised at just how common these beautiful birds are.
MatMates Sale and the Arrival of Mr. Bird Seed Houses
For those of you who may not have been aware, to celebrate the restocking of our seasonal MatMates, all floor mats will be 20% off through Saturday, November 9th! These aren’t the only products that we are excited to have back in stock though, as this week our decorative seed bird houses finally arrived!
