April 2008

Features

One Man's Dream

Eric Moore and Jay's Bird Barn

ERIC MOORE WAS IN THE MIDDLE of a corporate career in the grocery business when he decided to become an entrepreneur.

Soaring Seed Prices

Perspectives on the rising cost of feeding birds

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NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT on the record but it is one of the hottest topics in the business: seed costs are rising.

Ads that Sizzle

This Wisconsin retailer produces TV spots that make sales jump

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Barbara Brebner's store, constructed to look like an old farm building

A SINGLE 10-SECOND TV AD accomplishes more for Barbara Brebner’s wild bird store than a whole year’s worth of print advertising ever did.

Columns

Chance Discovery

How I created a camera for backyard birding

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One of hundreds of 'accidental' shots Bart took of himself while testing the BirdCam

THE STORY OF THE WINGSCAPES BIRDCAM began in fall 2004 when three personal interests — birds, photography and gadgets — intersected and led to a chance discovery.

Conservation by Numbers

Birders gain on hunters, but this trend could hit conservation funds

SUCCESS IN ANY BUSINESS REQUIRES an understanding of the demographics of the clientele.

Bold in Blue

Changing behavior and habitats could lead to more sales

AS STORE OWNERS, WE ALL TRY TO BECOME EXPERTS in many areas of bird watching. With increasing bluebird populations, we can add sales by taking advantage of this trend.

House Finch

The story behind this unusual species

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Tennessee House Finch
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Minnesota House Finch

SOMETIMES I THINK THERE is something seriously wrong with me. Whenever I travel, I notice something different about incredibly common things.

Sunflowers

Pleasing, practical and healthy

GOLDEN SUNFLOWERS nod on the breeze, a sea of gold in the fields of North America, their heads heavy with seed, providing a rich crop for birds and people.

Web Gems

Sites worth knowing, including some of my own

THERE ARE SO MANY WEBSITES it is impossible to keep up with all the good ones. I’ve selected a few of my current favorites.

Win them Over

My business success is based on repeat customers

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Editor’s note: This issue, Bill Fenimore takes the reigns of the Customer Service 911 column. He owns and operates a high-performing Wild Bird Center in Layton, Utah.

Industry News

Plastic Bags: In or Out?

Having made progress on light bulbs and hybrid cars, the growing green movement has grocery stores in mind next.

Sunflowers for Sci Fi Show

IT STARTED WITH A SHOW CALLED “THE 4400” on USA NETWORK.  Fans watched and enjoyed - and then in December it was cancelled.

Bird Clip Of The Month

Have you seen the birds that can Moon Walk better than Michael Jackson?

Bird Feeding Benefits


A new study says bird feeding is good for birds. We knew it, but we appreciate the backup.

Pro-Active on Red Knots


For years many have heard of the plight of the Red Knot in North America.

Recycled Feeders

More than 3.7 million milk jugs have been diverted to backyards from landfills. That’s because Birds Choice has used that many to create its lines of recycled feeders.

New Products

Sip and Seed

sip seed

In an effort to bring art to form and function, Woodstream is introducing two Sip & Seed; water and seed feeders. The Copper Sip & Seed is made of glass and antiqued copper.

Two Bowl Bird Bath

two bowl

In an effort to offer a large amount of water without drowning small birds, the Two Bowl Bird Bath allows you to have a deep reservoir that will not evaporate too quickly and still have a small shallow pool for finches and chickadees to sip and bathe.

Remembird

remembird

In Techno Birding News, one of the most intriguing products introduced at Birdwatch America was the Remembird, a digital recording device that can be attached to most binoculars allowing the user to make audio recordings of their field notes while they are watching the bird in question through their optics.

birdJam Maker

bird jam

BirdJam, the popular bird song identification tool for the Apple iPod, has a new module that formats and organizes bird songs from the Voices of Costa Rican Birds: Caribbean Slope CD set by David L. Ross, Jr. and Bret M. Whitney.

Seed Hoop

seed hoop

It’s a question heard a thousand times by bird store employees: “Do you have anything to catch the seed the birds spill under the feeders?”

The Nite Guard

nite guard

This new concept in critter proofing bird feeding stations and bird houses is based on the premise that nocturnal animals do not tolerate being watched.

Mini Feeder

The Squirrel Buster Mini, 2008 winner of Best New Product at Birdwatch America, is the newest addition to the Squirrel Buster Line of feeders.

Orange Trap-It Ant Trap

ant trap

Orange Trap-It Ant Trap keeps ants and other crawling insects out of Oriole feeders.

Microbe-Lift/ Birdbath Clear

Microbe-Lift/ Birdbath Clear is specially formulated for birdbaths inhabited by birds, small fish, frogs, etc. Prevents organic and inorganic contaminants from forming.

Less Mess Seed

wild delight seed

Research shows the No. 2 reason why consumers don’t like to feed birds is because of the mess left under feeders.

Nature's Dance Photography

Nature’s Dance Photography by Bob Beal spans nature subjects and surroundings from Bob’s specialty of birds to landscapes, floral and landmark scenes.

Daddy-Oh Feeder

The Daddy-Oh bird feeder collection is finished with beautiful re-active glazes that intensify the colors.

Hummingbirds of the Backyard

A stunning new DVD featuring extraordinary slow-motion images and close-ups of our most fascinating birds by award-winning filmmaker Charles F. Rattigan, with commentary by Sheri Williamson, author of the Peterson Guide to Hummingbirds.

Birdhouse Spy Cam

Birdhouse Spy Cam has released its third-generation video camera, the Hawk Eye Nature Cam, a miniature marvel that now brings full color,real-time video action from the Great Out-of-doors right into the living room.

Handheld Birds

handheld birds

National Geographic Handheld Birds is simply the most powerful electronic field guide on the market.

Solar Birdbath-Fountain

solar birdbath

Echo Valley’s Amphora ceramic birdbath-fountain is completely energy efficient and hand made from earthen clay.

No/No Finch Feeder

no no finch feeder

The latest introduction is the No/No Finch Feeder, which positions against all the traditional tube feeders in the marketplace.

Wind Bells

wind bells

These silent and effective guardians, no matter how they are displayed, will stand as deterrents to many of the pests who share a keen interest in your garden!

Little Guys

little guys

Brighten your day with Little Guys! Miniature clay personalities, each one handmade by Cindy Pacileo in the N.C. mountains, have been delighting animal and bird lovers for 30 years.

SongBird Scanning Wand

Simply the best way to learn bird songs. Swipe the iFlyer across a barcode to listen to high-quality digital recordings of bird songs.

Bird Magnet Suet Log

bird magnet

Nothing lasts forever but recycled plastic comes close.

Mounting Arm

mounting arm

Wingscapes Mounting Arm can be used with our BirdCam to get beautiful, close-up photos and videos of birds.

Birds on Paper

Nationally recognized artist Charley Harper provides retailers with proven selling notecards and prints. Broad selection of cards, choice of floor or counter displays.

Best Hummingbird Feeders

This year we have added kits to the Best-1 line. This will include both 8 and 32 ounce sizes, each kit will include a Best-1 feeder, 14 ounce nectar, port brush and ant guard.

Victorian Cottage Birdhouse

The Victorian Cottage Birdhouse is from the new Fledgling Series of smaller more affordable birdhouses and birdfeeders from Home Bazaar.

Martin House

nature house

PMC-24, TM-12, MSS-12 martin safety systems with larger compartments. Supplemental food tray released in fall.

Birdhouse Birdfeeder Cleaner

birdfeeder cleaner

Birdhouse Birdfeeder Cleaner is simple to use. The entire 4 ounce bottle is emptied into a bucket of warm water.

House and Feeder Kits

People are asking for products that are USA made. Stovall Products delivers quality craftsmanship with functionality.

Guide to Birds of North America

Guide to Birds of North America CD-ROM is an interactive, easy program for identifying and learning about birds. It’s now available for Mac users.

Mini-Blossom Rose

mini blossom rose

Inspired by Victorian-era milk glass, the Mini-Blossom Rose comes in our beautiful Sunset Red swirl.

Bluebird House

This Bluebird House is 100 percent recycled aluminum and carries the North American Bluebird Society’s seal of approval with a lifetime guarantee.

Suet Plus

suet plus

Environmentally friendly suet cake in the candy bar wrapper. Suet Plus uses 80% less packaging by weight than suet in a tray and is 100 percent recyclable.

Premier Kites

premier kites

As these balls spin in the slightest breeze, the clear upper half creates a carousel of fun as whimsical objects orbit the center scene.

New Optics

BARSKA Naturescape compact porro prism binoculars models include 8x20 (Model AB11172) and 10x25 (Model AB11174).

Birdwatch America

birdwatch america

Birdwatch America returns to Atlanta January 9-10, 2009.

Hummer Helper

songbird essentials

Nesting material hummingbirds really use! The folks at Hummer House at Brown Ranch in Christoval, Texas, introduced us to and helped us develop this fantastic product.

Birds in Your Backyard

birds in your backyard

Barbara Herkert’s beautifully illustrated book for kids describes the characteristics, habits, and natural environment of various North American backyard birds, and provides tips for observing and attracting them.

Handmade Feeder

handmade feeder

This birdhouse weighs 15 pounds and measures 14 inches square. It is one of the new styles of birdhouses and feeders designed by Bob Campbell.

Ceramic Feeders

ceramic feeder

Hummingbird, songbird and oriole feeders are our specialty. Each Lone Wolf ceramic feeder is handmade and hand-painted by artists in New Mexico.

Special Tube Feeders

special tube feeders

Introducing our new family of tube feeders, featuring powder-coated die cast metal top, bottom and seed ports, clear polycarbonate tube, removable bottom for easy cleaning, center seed diverter, looped hanger, unique perches and a lifetime warranty.

Tough Shell

tough shell

This forged steel Turtle is one of the many handmade creations of Blackthorne Forge of Vermont.

Window Bird House

window bird house

Wow! Watch the birds building a nest right on your window.

Ceramic Feeders

lonewolf

Hummingbird, songbird and oriole feeders are our specialty. Each Lone Wolf ceramic feeder is handmade and hand-painted by artists in New Mexico.

'50s Kitsch

kitsch

New additions to our line of Waders are (in order shown) an American Flamingo, a Heron and a pair of Egrets. All are cast aluminum.

Squirrel Slinky

squirrel slinky

No more unsightly pole baffles! The Squirrel Slinky is a simple and effective solution to keep squirrels and predators away from pole-mounted feeders and nest boxes.

Fun T-shirt

This squirrel came prepared to defend his prized nut collection. He has his trusty acorn cap helmet and his family crest shield.

Tri Lite Stool

Big brother to the original Tri Lite Folding Stool, the Tri Lite XL has a higher seating platform and higher capacity (330 lbs) at an attractive retail price.

Professor Bird

professor bird

Questions about wild birds? Professor Bird has the answer!

Green Dome

green dome

Original Sky Cafe Bird Feeder with a Green Dome! There’s nothing like it anywhere!

One-Way Window Feeders

One-way mirror film is the secret to Duncraft’s Bird’s Eye View One-Way Window Feeders. Birds see only their reflection.

Jackite

Jackite is the original designer and manufacturer of flying bird kites and windsocks that beat their wings and soar across the sky.

Pocket Notes

Printed on recycled paper and made with soy ink, these pocket notes are made in the USA.

Quick-Clean Tubular Feeders

Already available in distinctive Brushed Nickel and Antique Brass finishes, Aspects’ popular line of Quick-Clean tubular feeders just got better. Or shall we say Bluer.

Copper Top

Our birdhouses are made of Vinyl and copper board, no rotting, splitting or cracking to worry about. Pictured is our 14-inch birdhouse featuring a bell-shaped bright copper roof.

Peterson Field Guide

young buyers guide

A new Peterson Field Guide to 200 of the most common and interesting birds in eastern North America, written especially for kids ages eight to twelve.