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By Howard Youth BATTLING backyard squirrels takes tenacity, patience, and ingenuity. If you get complacent, squirrels, like dust or dirty dishes, will be back in force. Below are 11 strategies for thwarting the furry gluttons and keeping them from your bird feeders. One strategy might work for you, or you might want to employ several. But, remember: Anticipate your enemy's actions, expect the unexpected...and be ready to try a new tactic: (Gray Squirrel enjoying a peanut lunch by Tom Patrick) 1. Distract Them And then there's the simple "dump and draw" method: Drop seed on the ground away... Read On | ||||
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By Sylvia Moreno AUSTWELL, TX-- One of the most beloved groups of winter Texans is back, in the largest number in a century and with a record 45 youngsters in tow, including an even rarer seven pairs of twins. They flew 2,400 miles from Canada's Northwest Territories and can be seen munching on blue crabs and bright red-orange wolfberries among the marshes of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Whooping Crane, the tallest bird in North America, whose numbers dwindled to fewer than 20 in 1941, is not only back from the brink of extinction but also thriving--a comeback story, federal wildlife officials say, that illustrates how a coordinated conservation effort can save a species. (A family of whooping cranes heads to the water near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas in this photo by Ron Heflin, AP) "The Whooping Crane continues to mirror the success of endangered species recovery when man sets his mind to it," said Tom Stehn, the national Whooping Crane coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "We have come a long way, but we do have a... Read On | ||
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By Peter Slevin MINNEAPOLIS, MN-- Seven years after the U.S. government moved to take the Bald Eagle off the endangered species list, the Bush administration intends to complete the step by February, prodded by a frustrated libertarian property owner in Minnesota. The delisting, supported by mainstream environmental groups, would represent a formal declaration that the eagle population has sufficiently rebounded, increasing more than 15-fold since its 1963 nadir to more than 7,000 nesting pairs. The next challenge is to ensure the national symbol's continued protection. (Bald Eagles, like this one shown hunting for fish along Missouri's Wappapello Lake, by photographer Paul Davis, have rebounded to more than 7,000 nesting pairs after their numbers fell dangerously low.) "By February 16th, the Bald Eagle will be delisted," said Marshall Jones, deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "We'll be clear so people won't think, 'It's open season on Bald Eagles.' No way." Although the majestic raptor will no longer be... Read On | ||
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True Beauty! This male Harlequin Duck was submitted by Tim Flanigan of Nature Exposure in Bedford, PA. The Harlequin Duck is a small, relatively uncommon sea duck. It gets its English name from characters in Italian comedy that wear masks and have oddly painted costumes. The colorful male, or drake, is one of the most attractive of sea ducks and is about one-half the size of a Mallard Duck. For more nature photographs, see the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog. | ||
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IN ADDITION to all the terrific nature photographs by Michael Smith such as the 'Mad Bluebird', we have a complete line of No/No birdfeeders. The all metal construction will last for years with no cleaning needed. The simple wire mesh design will feed 15 to 20 birds at a time and holds over 6 lbs. of black oil sunflower seed in this Hourglass feeder, the most popular seed for wild birds. We have many other No/No models--all ready to ship immediately. Makes a great gift! Find more nature products in the Nature Shop | ||
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Are You Ready To Count Birds? THIS YEAR'S Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is taking place February 16 to 19. Jointly sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, folks like you and me count birds and report the numbers. Many thousands of counts are compiled instantly and shown on maps. It's all a lot of fun, according to Jack Lewnes, Port Republic, MD. If you'd like to check out the details, Click Here. (In fact, even if you don't want to participate in the count, go to the website anyway...it's a fun place to visit. Happy New Year to everyone in the Windstar family... Read On Perfect Tree
For Wildlife RED CEDARS attract red Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Yellow Warblers and a flock of other interesting birds, says Jane Weber, Dunnellon, FL. Add strings of popcorn and cranberries on your cedars. Hook on ornaments made of pinecones slathered with a mix of peanut butter, suet, cornmeal and oatmeal to provide a feast for your feathered friends. Birds nest, feed, perch and fly through the lush barrier. Rabbits burrow beneath and nibble at ground cover plants. Foxes, squirrels, Raccoons, coyotes, Bobcats and the odd bear wander through at will... Read On Can Birds
Use Ribbon For Nest-Building?
I HAD a thought that follows along the line of using the left-overs of yarn/string for the birds in the spring to build their nests, says Ann Wagner, Nashville, TN. " I was wondering if the "curling" ribbon; the type that is narrow and if you pull it across the blade of scissors, will curl tightly, could be used for buildings nests." If so, just think how much is used during the Christmas Holidays in wrapping presents. You could put a note in all the neighbors gifts/mailboxes, etc. and ask them to save the ribbon for you. Then during those long cold days and nights, cut up the ribbon in four to six inch pieces, save for spring. Let me know your thoughts on this. I know the color dye will not bleed, but not sure if it would work.Thanks for all the wonderful articles you have given us this year. I enjoy each and every one... Read On | ||
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That's it for this week. Be sure and sign up for the American Wildlife Blog for the latest commentary and please feel free to add comments of your own. Have An EXCELLENT Day in your WILDLIFE HABITAT! (Bighorn Sheep kid by Brandy Chloe>
 Tom Patrick Email: wildlife@windstar.org
Phone: 301-293-3351
Web &
Blog: http://www.windstar.org |
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