Nature In The Know

Bird of the Week and Latest Nature in the News at

2012-02-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

Bird of the Week 2-13-12: The Winter Wren like all wrens are noted for their powerful voices and the creative place they find to live. Bold and resourceful are key words to knowing wren

NATURE IN THE NEWS
(Trying to derive a lesson or at least a simple truth from recent headlines.)

2/13/12

BIRD SEEN IN COUNTY IS A FIRST (a common Redpoll is prime red meat for birdwatchers

Britain calls on the world to put a price on nature (what's the value if it can't be shot, sold, eaten, traded, or controlled?)

NY college gathers experts to mull future of zoos (mull the future of academia instead)

More pets on puppy uppers, doggy downers? (if the kid's bad behavior can be medicated then why not the pooch's)

Markets cannot deal with nature (what do you want to bet that nature would say the feeling is mutual)

ENERGY: Birds big concern for solar project (all this clean energy is killer. literally)

2/9/12

Children's Books Lack Nature References, Study Suggest (it comes down to priorities)
Van Gogh exhibit is about nature as he saw it (if you've never been to a Van Gogh exhibit, GO!)
Will Warm Winter Confuse Nature (it's hard to be confused when you live in the moment)
Is a bird the right pet for you? (never mind what's right for the bird)

Study confirms what owners knew all along — your pet gets you (and they asked so little in return)
More at -->http://www.awildbirdoasis.com/

A Wild Bird Oasis Newsletter 1-22-12

2012-01-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends

Please forgive the long lapse of time since my last newsletter. What rings true the most since then is what a difference a few months and a New Year can make. Where to begin? For starters, We are not closing the business but are now closed on Sundays and Mondays. I'll spare you the reasons why and our tale of woe in these tough times because everyone is paddling through the same rough waters. There is however lots of good news to share.

The last few months have brought great challenges yet great growth. As much as I loved working in the store, going to work in jeans or short pants, and not having to shave everyday, it was time for me to go back to the office. After several months of searching, sending out resumes, and going on interviews, I lucked out and landed a job with a great company in Mt Laurel. This not only is good news for Linda and me, it also takes a burden off A Wild Bird Oasis. Relying much less on the store to provide for us, we can now put more revenue back into the business. I truly believe this will make a big enough of a difference to be able to keep the store open. With Linda now in charge of running the store, there is a fresher approach and newer energy in play as well.

We are well aware that the level of our inventory is not what it was 4 years ago but the nature of retail sure isn't the same either. We lost half of our floor space to the flood brought by hurricane Irene last August. What a mess! Our near plans are to repair the floor downstairs so that the space can be used again. After making the room presentable again and redecorating in the fashion of a "naturalist's nook", we are looking to host activities for children involving arts and crafts that relate to wild birds and other aspects of nature. We also hope to attract groups like Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and adult organizations who may be interested in using our first floor as a meeting place. I will of course keep you posted when we're ready to launch.

The last store news I'd like to share is the makeover our website, http://www.awildbirdoasis.com. Check it out when you have a chance. Although I'm extremely grateful for all the hard work and help I had with the previous website, it was sadly lacking the capability of what I wanted to do most. The old website was strictly an E-commerce site and not a very successful one at that. Other than editing, adding, or deleting items for sale there was no capability to add my own personal touch. Eventually a shopping cart will be added so that our most popular items can be sold on the website and shipped by us from the store. In the mean time please know that we have an affiliate relationship with Duncraft. I think their website is the best around in service, selection, and savings. If you need to purchase something on the Internet for convenience, to save money, or because we don't have it in stock, then please click the Duncraft advertisement on our website or use this LINK to do so. Needless to say we would rather sell you the item out of our store but if that's not meant to be then it will help us if we can earn a commission if you make your purchase though our affiliate link.

In local bird news, the Bluebirds were gone for so long that we stopped selling live meal worms. The several containers of worms we had sat for so long that even in the refrigerator the little critters inside developed from larva, to pupa, to beetle. It amazes me how Bluebirds vanish at the end of the summer only to return on or about Christmas day. I have observed this pattern with many others for several years now. Needless to say, they are back and we have live meal worms in stock again. The Goldfinch are a bit of a mystery lately. They aren't around in the same numbers that they usually are this time of year. Since some of our customers are reporting that they are seeing more than ever, I'm less concerned that many of them have expired. Instead, I suspect that Nature in it's higher wisdom is at work here. Meaning this is a period when the Goldfinch have broken from their normal pattern and are going through a regrouping and relocation period. Lot's of species do this from time to time to keep their gene pools diverse.

In closing, Linda and I want to thank all of you for your continued support and encouragement. We love the store and the birds as much as ever and over the years have become close to many of you as well. We are truly delighted by the awareness catching on in the public that it's better for your community to do as much business locally as possible. I will refer to the 3/50 Project for the 4 cardinal reasons why it helps everyone to shop local.

Until next time, blessings be yours and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Hank Wright

A Morning Swarm

2012-01-16T04:35:00.001-08:00

Grackles, Starlings, and Cowbirds! What an awesome trio when about 10,000 of them occupied the tree tops near the house a short while ago. The volume of their chatter was so loud it frighted the dog AND the cat. I don't know why they didn't swoop in and clean out the feeders.

Suet Cake Weather

2012-01-14T13:51:00.001-08:00

This cold weather is a good time to put out suet cakes for the birds. The extra fat will help keep them warm.

Previous Newsletters From A WIld Bird Oasis

2012-01-10T18:14:00.000-08:00

Below are the last few newsletters from the store. A new letter is in the works.

End Of Summer 2011 Newsletter

by A Wild Bird Oasis on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 11:54am

Somehow I don't think I'm alone in not being upset to see this summer come to a close on September 23, at 5:05 A.M. EDT. The hot and humid conditions, the wettest August in recorded history, and more mosquitoes than I've ever seen (and swatted) will make this summer easy to bid a farewell. The birds took it all in stride. I was surprised to see feeder activity stayed high even though this summer was a perfect growing season for all of their many favorite foods.
It seemed to be an extra long roosting season for goldfinch. As usual, they split up from their large family groups in late May. Normally they are only absent for a couple of months while they breed, nest, and raise their young. This year, they were noticeably absent through most of the month of August as well. I can only figure they were slow to come back to the feeders in large numbers because they were eating the abundant flower and weed seeds produced by this very hot and rainy summer. Fortunately, they are coming back now; and judging by the large numbers of fledgelings at the feeders; this was a very successful summer for raising goldfinch.
Where are the bluebirds? I hear this question a lot and to be totally honest; I don't know. I can tell you that this is what they do. It's not uncommon for them to stay around for a couple of seasons only to take flight and disappear for a few months. My guess is that they will return sometime this fall or early winter.
Enjoy your hummingbirds for the little remaining time they'll be here. It's unlikely they will stay much longer with temperatures dipping into the 40's at night. Much of the hummers' diet is comprised of small flying insects. Colder temperatures bring an end to the insects' life cycles, and the longer nights mean the hummingbirds have to wait longer to feed between dusk and dawn. The males have already left. You may see one or two stragglers passing through, but for the most part they are all long gone until next spring.
I get a lot of questions about all sorts of issues. Occasionally a question totally stumps me and I have to do a little research. Sometimes people will preface their query by saying "This may be a stupid question but..." Since all of us are novices to things we're unfamiliar with, I'll respond sincerely by saying there are no stupid questions so don't worry. With all sincerity and patience in mind you know as well as I do that there are exceptions to every rule. Occasionally I get a question that quite frankly makes me wonder how perception and reality can find themselves so far apart. This summer I got two questions worth sharing. Please know that this isn't to ridicule the people who asked the questions, but it serves well to illustrate when perception and reality are not on the same track.
The first question was about the bird house next to our cash register that we converted into a collection box for donations to the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge and Rehabilitation Center for sick and injured wild animals. If you ever want to support a great local cause and help wonderful people help the helpless then please look them up at http://www.cedarrun.org/ The question was whether the red arrows glued around and pointing to the entry hole of the bird house were so the birds would know that was the way to get inside.
The second question was if there was anything that could be added to the hummingbird nectar that would stop the hummingbirds from chasing each other around. Even knowing what this person meant, I still had to ask for clarification. My suspicions were confirmed when they asked if there was a hummingbird version of Prozac that would calm them down. Seriously, on my most imaginative day I could not make this up even if I wanted. Still, I think these questions underscore how far off our reasoning can be. We may think we know what the problem or situation really is and what the solution would be when in fact we could not be more wrong.
To me, these two innocent questions illustrate how (in some cases) we can confuse like and dislike with right and wrong; and in other cases assume others have the ability to understand or relate to us when in fact they have no such ability. In the case of the person looking for a hummingbird tranquilizer, I did my best to explain that this is what hummingbirds do. Most of their chasing is innocent play but some of it could be their way of getting into shape for the long migration to Mexico. Behavior we may not like or understand doesn't mean it's wrong and certainly doesn't mean it needs to be medicated. In the case of the arrows pointing towards to collection box hole, well, all I can say is that no untrained animal I know of can read human symbols. Even if they could, I doubt they would need directions to the obvious as do many of us. When I look around at the world today, metaphorically speaking, I see a lot medicated "hummingbirds" who no longer even resemble themselves, and some people driving against the arrow on one way streets while talking on their cell phones. A wise woman once asked me, "Would you rather be happy, or would you rather be right"? It took me years to understand that in many situations happy and right have nothing to do with each other. When happy and right conflict, the kind of acceptance we have for nature can be a possible solution.
Until next time, have a great weekend, enjoy your birds, and I hope to see you soon.
Hank Wright

Happy Independence Day

by A Wild Bird Oasis on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 11:40am

Hello Friends,
In gardening and botany terms the volunteer is a plant growing without being seeded, planted, or cultivated by a person. The seed is carried from some place else by means of wind, water, or by hitchhiking on some unsuspecting animal. The volunteer can tell an amazing story when it's the first form of life to grow on a new island. Such is the case when a coconut drifts for thousands of miles in the open ocean to wash ashore and take root on a distant land. The volunteer can be also be a problem in places like national parks when outside weed and tree seeds are carried into the environment in the gear of hikers and campers. Yosemite and Yellowstone are in a constant battle to prevent invasive volunteers from taking over the environments meant to be preserved in their native state.
I had a theme for this Independence Day's newsletter based on the volunteer. Inspiration was taken from a humble petunia that took root between a crack in the pavement and first step in front of our store. It was much like the one pictured below. For several several weeks, this little plant flowered and flourished to the amazement of the many people who got to see it. The seed landed and germinated in just the right spot. Its roots went below the cement and pavement to where the soil was cool and damp making it quite able to survive the extreme heat and dryness of the parking lot. I had been meaning to take a picture of it for several days to post on our Facebook page and use in this newsletter. Unfortunately, I procrastinated on taking the photo before someone came along and pulled out the petunia. I must confess that I was rather irritated at this discovery. My first thoughts were how inconsiderate of someone to take something that was enjoyed by so many and to know the plant would not survive very long after being pulled. I also considered that the theme to this newsletter was not going to be what I wanted it to be.
After a week or so I've come to realize a few comforting things. The story of this little volunteer still ties in very well with Independence Day. After all, ALL of our origins come from somewhere else. It doesn't matter if our ancestors arrived here thousands, hundreds, or a just a few years ago. Some of us just recently "volunteered" to settle in this area from another country or another county. As it states in The Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." To settle and to flourish is our right but it becoming a reality is based on our efforts and abilities. As in life and the randomness of chance, those efforts and abilities aren't always a guarantee of success or to withstand the forces of nature and the deliberate actions of other entities. What is a sure thing is that there is always next year. No matter how many times we experience failure or disappointment, the cycles of nature and life will permit us to try again until we get it right.
I hope this day turns out to be an excellent day for you no matter what you chose to do. This holiday is a celebration of our free will and the right of the pursuit of our dreams. As a footnote to our departed petunia, the more I think about it the more I'm convinced it was a small child who pulled it out. If this is the case then chances are he pulled it to give to his mother and that makes it all OK. This innocence and wonder of a child is its own creative force of nature and who can really do anything about that? One thing is for sure, come next Spring, I will be putting petunia seeds along the same crack in the pavement against the front step of our store.
Blessings Be and Happy 4th of July
Hank Wright
Petunia growing between the cracks.

Early Summer Newsletter

by A Wild Bird Oasis on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 6:09pm

One summer solstice night, a couple of yogis high up in the hills of northern India were talking about their ability to remember everything they have ever experienced. The first yogi described his memory of being born. He spoke of the struggle, his first breath, his first glimpse of light, the first sound he heard, his first bath, being swaddled, and the first time his mother held and nursed him. His description of that day was given in great detail with convincing clarity. When he finished the second yogi was not going to be outdone. He claimed that he could remember everything from the day he was conceived. The first yogi was rather astonished to hear this if not just a little bit skeptical. The second yogi simply explained how he recalled going on a picnic with his father and going home with his mother.
Enough credit and praise can not be given to our mothers for all they do but this month we honor our fathers. Fathers Day falls on Sunday June 19th, two days before the summer solstice on June 21st. For all the sacrifice, hard work, wise counsel, provision, and protection he has given us, we are truly blessed and better off for his legacy.
With some birds the father doesn't stick around after the picnic. However, with many species he plays a vital role. The father is key in building the nest, feeding the mother while she's sitting on the eggs, chasing off predators and trespassers, helping to care for the chicks, and showing the fledglings how to take care of themselves. You'll see this a lot with bluebirds, cardinals, and goldfinch. If you've been wondering where the goldfinch have been or why there isn't as much activity from the other birds at the feeders, don't despair. Everyone is nesting at this time. Soon the chicks will fledge and young ones will be very hungry. The parents will be anxious to ween them so they can get busy on the next brood.
I find that feeding birds in the summer is most enjoyable because you get to see your favorite birds bring their offspring to the feeders. A little FYI, as much as we all love hummingbirds the truth is that dad is a cad. His only role is biological and for the rest of the summer he seems intent on making mom regret she ever met him by how he chases her around and tries to monopolize the feeders.
Here at the store, things are holding in there. I cant really say it's getting much better but I'm happy to report that things aren't getting any worse. We're expanding our gift and nature items section of the store and have recently added some native style pottery, arrowheads, dream catchers, and other items imported from Mexico. If you get a chance please drop by and check it out.
Until next time, have a great summer enjoying your birds and all of nature in all its splendor
Hank Wright

For older newsletters please look on our Facebook page in the "Notes" section

Hello ALL

2012-01-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Lots of good stuf to come here as the new www.awildbirdoasis.com evolves. Please check back soon.