Memorial Day is this weekend! Through Monday, we would like to offer all current and former military members 20% off your total purchase (excluding Brome and Cuckoo Clocks) in gratitude for your service to our country. Just mention discount at checkout.
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We have lots of patriotic items to make the most of your holiday weekend. Red, white and blue solar lanterns, wind chimes, birdhouses, pillows and much more!
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Garden flags are an easy way to decorate your porch, patio or garden.
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Don't forget your birds! It's getting really hot out there. Hanging birdbaths are a good way to offer fresh water for drinking and bathing,
and are very easy to clean
and refill.
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It's that time of year again - BABY BIRD SEASON!
May through August is when most songbirds leave (fledge) their nest. These youngsters cannot fly well, or at all, and often look pretty helpless. But in most cases, their parents are nearby, keeping close watch on their offspring, bringing food and encouraging them to hop/fly to shelter and safety. The fledglings will get stronger and braver and will soon be flying!
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Watch for young birds at your feeders this summer. They often have tufts of feathers on their heads, and may not look quite like their adult parents. They seem awkward and may not know what to do, begging from mom and dad when there's a bounty of food in front of them. But they quickly learn. Feeding birds in the summer is a wonderful way to experience all phases of a bird's life!
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Fledgling Northern Mockingbird
- notice the tufts, yellow bill and speckled breast
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Fledgling Blue Jay
- notice the short tail and wings and yellowish bill
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Many species will nest two or three times each year. In many cases, dad is left to watch over the newly fledged first brood while mom is busy on another nest. Be careful when pruning trees and shrubs this season, you never know who might be tucked in that overgrown bush. Some birds even nest on the ground - a few warblers, killdeer, meadowlarks, etc., so watch your step!
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If you do find a baby bird and don't know what to do, this short video can help! We've shared it before, but it's important info and we get many calls and questions from concerned folks every year. It can help you decide when to help and when not to.
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American Robin with nestlings
- photo by Giff Beaton
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When you truly need a bird rehabilitator, we recommend contacting Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE) at 678-418-1111, www.awarewildlife.org, or email help@aware.org. If you need to help an owl or hawk, contact Monteen McCord with HawkTalk. Be patient with any rehabbers this time of year. They are overwhelmed with baby birds and have limited resources. Consider donating to one of these great organizations that do so much to help our birds and other wildlife.
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