Think Spring!

What a great time of year! Longer days and warmer temperatures help to rapidly reawaken the natural world around us during this true season of renewal. Our fields and forests celebrate with splashes of amazing colors…from freshly blooming wildflowers to the return of migrant songbirds decked out in their finest breeding plumage.

Yes, nesting season is just around the corner. A new generation of birds will soon be entering the world.

Many of them will call your yard home. You might even say that their families will become part of your family. And you can make a significant difference in how well these extended families will thrive and survive in your own backyard.

Consider providing a little “pre-natal” boost for your birds. The need for protein and calcium increases substantially for birds as they prepare for nesting and during periods of egg-laying. Obtaining a sufficient amount of these nutrients determines the number of eggs a bird is able to produce and impacts the health of young birds. Wild Birds Unlimited’s Nesting SuperBlend™ is a great bird food to help you provide the essential protein and calcium needed by nesting families.

Some of the most entertaining backyard bird performances debut during the mating and nesting seasons. Don’t miss the show in your backyard, thinking it’s okay to stop feeding birds just because the weather is getting warmer.

Spring Cleaning

When the first blooms lure you into your backyard, recognize that the birds aren’t far behind. But first it’s time for a little spring cleaning.

Use a coarse brush to do away with accumulated debris from wooden feeders. Hot soapy water does the trick along with some scrubbing, but don’t use chemicals because wood is porous and will absorb them. Then, rinse and dry the feeders thoroughly before refilling them with seed.

Eastern Bluebird, Spring, Bird Photo, Wild Birds Unlimited, WBUOur Quick-Clean™ Seed Tube & Finch Feeders are the absolute easiest to clean feeders on the market. A quick press of two buttons and the base pops off for easy access. To clean tube-feeders, soak them in a mild bleach solution and use a long-handled brush to scour the crevices but take care to rinse, rinse, rinse. Again, allow the feeders to dry completely.

Here’s a handy tip to get to those hard-to-reach places in hummingbird feeders. Toss a cupful of uncooked rice inside the feeder and then add a solution of one-part vinegar to four-parts water to the top of the feeder; replace the lid and shake vigorously. Once the feeder is clean, discard the rice and solution, then rinse and dry the feeder thoroughly. Before adding fresh nectar, go back with a small brush to clean the feeding ports.

A combination of elbow grease and hot soapy water is the best technique to refresh bird baths. If using a mild bleach solution to help control algae, use plenty of clear water and rinse several times. Vinegar and water helps remove mineral deposits.