Report from the British Birdfair

Almost 20,000 birders visit the British Birdfair each year to learn about the latest in birding and bird feeding products and services. If you did not make this year's event, here is a quick summary and a few photos of the Birdfair Experience.

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'The Humm' hummingbird feeder has a new web site.  Check it out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wild Bird Centers of America Exceeds its “Green Initiatives” Goal

Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. (WBCA), a premiere franchisor of wild bird specialty stores for the past 25 years, has beaten its own “Green” Initiatives goal to reduce paper usage by 50% by August, 2010.

WBCA has established itself as a leader among environmentally-focused small businesses by significantly reducing its environmental impact wherever possible.

Says Henrik Weng, CEO: “We live by our credo that we will do better by doing good! I encourage all companies, big and small, to challenge their stakeholders to find ways to lessen the environmental impact of doing business. We set ambitious goals, and it has been amazing to witness the creativity applied, on all fronts, to reach our “green” goals. Obviously, the tangible effects we have achieved are great, but the softer side of this process has long-term positive effects for our business too: it has helped build team-spirit internally with a can-do attitude that together we can achieve great things - and, I would argue, it has improved our many vendor partnerships as interactions and communications with them have reached important new levels.

Here are WBCA’s “Green” Results:

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Impact Photographics and Gold Crest Distributing announce new distribution agreement

El Dorado Hills, CA--(July 22, 2010) -Impact Photographics has named Gold Crest Distributing as the sole distributor of its Bird Gifts product line effective July 1, 2010. This partnership allows both companies to focus and build on their individual strengths in the markets they serve.

Gold Crest Distributing stocks over 7,000 different items from 120 vendors and continues to offer no minimums per item or line and same day shipping.  Gold Crest President, Mel Toellner, said, "We are very excited about this exclusive arrangement with Impact Photographics.  We feel it fits very well for the 2000+ independent retailers we serve. Like all the product lines we distribute, Impact’s wild bird gift product line will not be marketed to nationwide mass discounters.  We feel the advice and help that privately-owned independent retailers give consumers is as important as the products they sell."

For over 30 years, Impact Photographics has been the leading supplier of photographic products to North America's tourist destinations. The bird gifts product line establishes a presence in specialty bird and nature stores where Gold Crest is one of the leading distributors. "This partnership gives customers a convenient and familiar source for Impact's product line," said Matthew Nielsen of Impact Photographics. "We're excited to partner with Gold Crest to increase value and convenience to customers."

For More Information Contact:

Impact Photographics
phone: 916-939-9333   916-939-9333
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Gold Crest Distributing
phone: 888-985-2473   888-985-2473
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Two new bits of news to report from Princeton University Press.

Trogons by Joseph Forshaw, illustrated by Albert Gilbert, has received two awards. The book was published in a limited press run, made even smaller by an unfortunate shipping accident, but there are still a few copies available. This one would be a handsome addition to any connoisseur’s library.

The second book, All About Birds: A short illustrated history of ornithology by Valerie Chansigaud is reviewed at Birder’s Library.

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New ZEISS Aluminum Tripod Set with Newly Designed State-of-the-Art Photo/Video Head

CHESTER, Va., August 2, 2010 – Carl Zeiss is now offering a newly designed aluminum tripod set with many enhancements over its predecessor.   This newest model features a state-of-the-art Photo/Video Head for quick and easy observation and photography using the ZEISS DiaScopes and PhotoScope.  It also works well for most ZEISS binoculars with the ZEISS Binofix Tripod Adaptor.  The features and benefits of the new design include:

• Smoother motion, improved fluid action
• More stability (counter balance spring)
• Built-in sliding balance plate
• Control arm can be mounted on either side
• Improved quick release plate

The tripod’s rugged leg set ensures stability in the field and is easy to adjust for all of your observation needs.

The new ZEISS Aluminum Tripod Set comes with spikes, a carrying strap and locking clips.
MSRP: $529.00

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Woodstock Chimes new Rust-Themed Collection

Woodstock Chimes, a leading manufacturer of precision-tuned wind chimes, will debut its latest collection, Woodstock Rust, during the summer market season.  The 10-piece collection combines the company’s signature quality sound and design, including wood and precious stone accents with rusted metal elements for an earthy, contemporary look. The rust finish also offers a natural beauty that warms the steel elements with a brown, weathered texture.  Woodstock Rust, comprised of bells and wind chimes, will be showing at various markets including Atlanta, New York and Dallas.

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News from Wild Bird Centers of America

Wild Bird Centers of America have announced two changes in their chain of retail locations. One is the transfer of ownership of the store in Charlotte, NC, which will be taken over by Mike and Sally Godwin in August.

The other is a new franchise planned for Kirkland, WA, to be opened in September or October by Bill Hager and Anne Dolan.

Contact Neil Gladner, Vice President of Retail Operations at the company’s headquarters in Glen Echo Maryland, for addresses and contact information. (301) 841-6419 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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New Research Center

Starting with the April issue of Birding Business, selected articles will be posted by topic in the new Research Center.

We will be expanding the content in the Research Center with additional articles and white papers of interest to retailers and manufacturers involved in the wild bird industry.

A complete list of topics from the April issue and the Publisher's Note is available online.  Subscriptions to the magazine are available free to those involved in the industry.

 

 

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New iPhone app aids Haiti Relief Efforts

The authors of our field guide to Haiti and the Dominican Republic have created an iPhone app and all proceeds go to the disaster relief effort.

The app is the brainchild of Kent McFarland, biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies who says,

With nearly 100 million birders in North America alone, we hope this will be a way for all of us to easily contribute to Haitian earthquake relief efforts and learn about the island’s amazing birdlife at the same time.

The app features 58 of the over 300 birds found in the field guide and all proceeds from sales will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and Partners in Health to support the continued disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

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Quick Tip for Store Owners - Thanks to Hank Weber

Don't Miss a 35% Tax Deduction
The newly enacted Health Care Bill has a little-known provision that benefits store owners.  If you pay premiums for health insurance (for yourself and/or employees) you may get a 35% federal tax credit under the new law. 

There are only three criteria:

1. You must have less than 25 employees.

2. Their  average annual salary must be less than $50,000.

3. You must pay 50% of the insurance premiums.

Check with your accountant or tax advisor to learn how you can benefit from the new law.  It is too good to pass up.

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Princeton University Press announces the new Crossley ID Guide.

This new guide is a departure from the standard guide format. Looks like it will be a huge success. Here is a video of the author discussing the new guide.