We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
1211 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231) 946-0431
Fax: (231) 946-1379
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon - Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Comments:
Visit us in our new location! We've moved one door closer to the Omelette Shoppe.
Note: We often stay open later than the posted minimum hours. Give us a call if you're running late.
"On the eastern horizon, a fiery palette of crimson, cadmium, and ochre fill the morning sky. The light show washes over a snowy canvas of white, painting our slumbering backyard garden in a wintry glow.
I reach across my studio table and press the "on" switch, immediately the outside monitor speakers fill the room with bird song.
Synchronized, the cardinal pair sings a duet, softly a junco delivers its delicate vernal trill (photo), and not to be left out, the robin joins the morning concert with a cheerful croon we all recognize. These songsters seem to be signally reliable signs of spring. I glance at the table top thermometer display, the sights and sounds of this lovely morning are only slightly diminished by the negative two degrees reading.
In 2008 March was a lion more than a lamb, still March is a month of transition. Warmer temperatures and more daylight.... Oh, I like that!
The "first wave" of migratory birds begin to arrive by mid-month, The robins that left us last fall will gather on open patches of ground as snow recedes. Red-winged Blackbirds, known to many as harbingers of spring, will soon be seen at backyard feeders. They like millet and cracked corn. Many of us won't be too happy to see the first Common Grackle. Make sure you fill a feeder or two with safflower seed. Grackles still aren't crazy about this seed while it is a favorite for cardinals.
Killdeer and American Woodcock will ride in on a night time warm front soon. These two are spring favorites of mine. Their courtship flying and vocalizations can be heard before daylight and after dusk.
Consider using Deluxe Blend bird seed as spring approaches. The white proso millet seeds in Deluxe are great food for returning ground foraging birds. Dark-eyed Junco and Song Sparrow will be in the first wave of ground feeding birds.
Mealworms are in stock for those who love to treat spring migrants with a jolt of live protein-rich food. Bluebirds will begin appearing in the third week of March. They can be attracted with mealworms and suet nuggets.
Black-capped Chickadees are already investigating available nesting boxes. Resident chickadees in our yard usually lay their first egg by mid April. March is the time to get boxes cleaned out and ready for box nesting species.
The collie boys and I are looking forward to long walks in warmer temperatures and "daylight". We will watch and listen for signs of spring and will report back to you soon!"
