Archive for September, 2010

You’re invited to the official grand opening celebration of USA Bird Supply

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

Things have been all a flutter at USA Bird Supply in Clarence since early June; however Saturday October 2nd is their official grand opening celebration. Located adjacent to the Great Pumpkin Farm, in the former Western New York Events Center building, USA Bird Supply carries everything a backyard birder would ever need or want, including a huge selection of bird houses, from Purple Martin houses to hummingbird feeders.

They even have squirrel feeders, to keep those pesky squirrels out of the bird feeder! Naturally they carry birdseed and the ever popular seed cakes. Also in stock are bee keeping supplies, a selection of birding and outdoor related books, cards, nature-themed toys and games, gifts, and even flags in their USA Flag Supply section.

The grand opening celebration will have something for everyone, whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or not. There will be wildlife speakers, including experts from the Buffalo Audubon Society and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and even someone from the WNY Herpetological Society; that group’s all about reptiles and amphibians, in case you didn’t know. A master gardener from Cornell Co-operative Extension will also be on hand, as well as a representative from the wildlife rehabilitation division of the SPCA.

There will be several artists, including Melissa Mance who is noted for her nature paintings, particularly those of birds. See some of her work at http://www.myartspace.com/artistInfo.do?subscriberid=mwmiqlckqa3wwqq1&populatinglist=home Rick Pratt from Corfu, NY will be demonstrating his chainsaw art; see his work at http://www.chainsawartist.com/

Sculptor/painter Henrik Solderstrom will have his nature-inspired work displayed and Rochester’s Christine Marsh, who is a face painter extraordinaire, will be demonstrating her art. In the past, Marsh has worked for Steven Spielberg, Warner Brothers, and Disney. See her work on her website http://www.marshbodyart.com/index.php/face-art/

Yours truly, travel writer Christine Smyczynski, will be on hand from 11am-1pm to sell and sign copies of the book, Western New York Explorer’s Guide From Niagara Falls and Southern Ontario to the Western Edge of the Finger Lakes, the only comprehensive travel guide to the region. Read more about the book at www.westernnewyorkexplorersguide.com

There will be tasty treats, including Yancy’s Fancy cheeses, wines from Passport Wine and Liquors, and food from the Carriage House. There will be drawings for door prizes, kid’s activities, musical entertainment, and more.

The USA Bird Supply grand opening celebration takes place Saturday, October 2 from 11am-4pm at 11163 Main Street in Clarence.

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Birding along the Seaway Trail –Part 10- Oswego River

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

This article, the 10th in a series of 17 that focus on the 518 mile long Seaway Trail, focuses on the region around the Oswego River/Canal, which connects the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario. This 14 foot deep canal follows the route of the Oswego River, 23.7 miles from Three Rivers to Oswego.

This region offers many opportunities for bird watching. Water birds are seen year-round, however, winter is probably the best time to bird watch here. You’ll find a variety of ducks, like Mallard, along with Canadian Geese. Some of these like to hide along the rock ledges and vegetation near shore. Near the waters edge you can also expect to see Great Blue Heron and Green Heron.

Other species of birds found here include Loons, Wood Duck, Black Duck, White Winged Scouters and Ruddy Ducks to name a few. Occasionally raptors and Snowy Owls are spotted, as well as an occasional Osprey and Bald Eagle.

In the trees along the river you might spot some of these songbirds: Yellow Warblers, Baltimore Orioles, and American Redstarts. You may also see Purple Martins and Chimney Swifts.

Some say the best places to bird watch by Oswego Harbor, at the mouth of the river, are St. Paul’s Cemetery and Old Fort Ontario. Another place to bird watch is at the Rice Creek Biological Field Station on Thompson Road, which is part of Oswego State University. This site has 400 acres of land including a 26-acre rice pond. The field station, which has indoor exhibits, is open weekdays 9am-5pm. Trails are open dawn to dusk.

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No No Feeders

Friday, September 24th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

This article is about No No feeders. Now, a No No feeder is not for some rare species of bird or a feeder your don’t want your kids to touch, a No No feeder, which is manufactured by Sweet Corn Products, is made with no plastic and no wood, hence the name No No.

These all metal feeders, which are made from steel with zinc plating to prevent rust, are environmentally friendly and unique in design. Some of the feeders are painted different colors, like green, red, or bronze. These collapsible feeders are easy to store, sturdier than conventional feeders, and easy to clean. They don’t have to be cleaned often, but when you do, you can just pop them in the dishwasher. Most of them are specifically designed for black sunflower seeds, but you can also use peanut pieces or safflower seeds.

USA Bird Supply has a number of these feeders available. The No No Hourglass Feeder ($29.99) holds up to 6 pounds of black sunflower seeds and has 2 perching rings, which hold between 15-20 birds.

The No No Tray Feeder, which also retails for $29.99, holds up to 2 ½ pounds of seed and feeds 10-15 birds at a time. They also have a red Cardinal Feeder ($33.99) which has a metal roof to protect both seeds and birds. In addition to cardinals, finches, woodpeckers and chickadees might feed. No No also makes a Mesh Lantern Feeder ($33.99) and a 3-Tiered Bird feeder ($28.99).

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Binoculars bring birds up close and personal

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

One of the most essential equipment one needs when going on a bird watching adventure is a good pair of binoculars. Let’s face it; most birds won’t let you get right up next to them so that you can examine their markings to figure out what species they are. Birds must be observed from afar, so you really need binoculars to get a good look at them.

USA Bird Supply carries several models of binoculars manufactured by Alpen. Alpen products have the reputation for value, price and performance. The Alpen Company, which was established in 1997, offers quality optical products at affordable prices. Their products are popular with birders, hunters, and sports enthusiasts.

When looking for binoculars you want to make sure they are waterproof or weather proof, as you never know when the weather might change or sometimes you may have to go out in inclement weather to spot the birds you’re looking for.

You also want to make sure they are lightweight and have a comfort grip for wet conditions. If you wear glasses or sunglasses, you want to make sure they have along eye relief, so it’s easier to view. Soft rubber eye pieces also make viewing more comfortable.

Models carried by USA Bird Supply include Alpen Pro with a 8 x 42 lens ($79.99), Alpen Extra Close with a 8 x 80 lens ($71.99) and the Alpen Megaview with an 10 x 42 lens ($103.99).

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Birding along the Seaway Trail –Part 9 Sodus Bay and Little Sodus Bay

Monday, September 20th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

This article, the 9th in a series of 17 that focus on the 518 mile long Seaway Trail, focuses on the region around Sodus Bay which is located about 30 miles east of Rochester. Sodus Bay is reputed to have the most scenic harbor on Lake Ontario. Of course, anywhere along the waterfront is good for watching all sorts of birds and wildlife.

In this area you’ll find the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, which is celebrating its 25th year in 2010. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday through the end of October. The three story lighthouse has exhibits on lighthouse and area history on the first floor. You can climb the 52 steps to the tower for a panoramic view of Lake Ontario. (www.soduspointlighthouse.org)

One of the best known parks in this area is Chimney Bluffs State Park, which has 4 miles of hiking trails, is an area landmark which features pinnacles and cliffs made from drumlin. Fall is an excellent time for hiking and bird watching here.

Also in the region is Lakeshore Marshes Wildlife Management Area, where many migrating waterfowl rest. There are also many varieties of fish, mammals, songbirds; shorebirds and waterfowl that make there home here, including black ducks, mallards, and wood ducks. Nearby, Fair Haven Beach State Park has a swimming beach, plus camping.

The 1,400 acre Sterling Nature Center, in Fair Haven, NY, has almost 2 miles of undeveloped shoreline. Many birds make their home her, including Great Blue Heron, woodpeckers and titmouse, to name a few.

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Keep rats away by keeping seeds off the ground

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

A recent news story on one local TV station focused on the growing rat problem in one of our suburban communities. It was suggested that bird seed on the ground is one of the things that attracts the rodents and there was talk of banning feeding the birds to help control the rats.

However, rats, and other critters like squirrels and raccoons, can’t eat the seed if they can’t get at it, so you don’t have to stop feeding the birds; you just have to keep the seeds from getting on the ground.

First, you should make sure that you have your feeder in a spot that rodents and others can’t climb to on jump to. Next, you should make sure you use seeds with no shells, which are less likely to fall to the ground, since the birds eat the whole thing. Some suggestions include black oil sunflower seeds, thistle, and safflower seeds.

To make sure that the seeds don’t end up on the ground, install a seed catcher or tray below your feeder. USA Bird Supply carries a number of seed trays.

The Birds Choice Recycled Pole Mount Seed Catcher ($50.99) is a large 23” x 21 ½ “ platform made from recycled plastic that you mount on the pole under your main feeder to catch the seeds. Birds can also perch and feed from the platform.

Songbird Essentials makes a 30” Large Seed Hoop ($22.99), made of vinyl coated fiberglass mesh which attaches to any feeder. Droll Yankee has a couple of seed trays. The 10 ½” Omni Seed Tray ($11.99) attaches to the bottom of any tube feeder, while their clear 7 ½”seed tray ($7.99) attaches to pole feeders or seedcake feeders. For the budget conscious, Heath makes a plastic seed saver tray which attaches to tube feeders, which retails for a mere $3.99.

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Learn about wildlife at the Annual NYSPA Wildlife Festival

Monday, September 13th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

The 25th Annual New York State Power Authority Wildlife festival will take place Saturday September 25 and Sunday September 26 on the grounds of the New York State Power Authority Power Vista, 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) Lewiston. Events take place between 10am-5pm. Parking and admission are free.

This event, which is held in cooperation with the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs, features over 50 environmental exhibits, outdoor educators, and wildlife rehabilitators.

Some of the groups represented include Aware Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which will have a live presentation with birds of prey. Hawk Creek Rehabilitation Center, from East Aurora, will also have a birds of prey presentation along with a booth with information explaining their mission. FasciNature will feature live creatures from around the world, including fish and lizards. For The Birds Niagara will have a touch table, along with an interactive trivia game.

Paul Schnell from the Institute for Environmental Learning will discuss conservation and have a presentation Raptors in the Modern World, featuring Liberty the Bald Eagle. Jeff Musial from Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics will be at the festival, as will Carmen Presti, who operates a primate sanctuary. Many of Presti’s monkeys have been featured in movies. Peter Lotz of Skyhunters will bring hawks, falcons, owls and golden eagles and he will have flight demonstrations of hawks and falcons.

In addition, there will be many hands on activities for kids to try, including archery, fishing, rock climbing, and shooting a crossbow. Scouts can earn a special wildlife patch by participating in festival activities. For more information about the festival, call 716-286-6661 or 866-NYPA-FUN or visit their website www.nypa.gov.

The event also coincides with the Lewiston Harvest Festival, a huge outdoor craft show featuring over 100 artisans, held along Center Street in the village of Lewiston. There will be continuous entertainment and plenty of food available. For more information about the harvest fest see www.niagarariverregion.com.

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Birding along the Seaway Trail –Part 8- Braddock Bay and the Rochester region

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

This article, the 8th in a series of 17 that focus on the 518 mile long Seaway Trail, focuses on Braddock Bay and the Rochester region. Braddock Bay State Fish and Wildlife region, located just west of Rochester, is easily accessible from the Lake Ontario Parkway, a scenic route that follows the Lake Ontario Shoreline.

Braddock Bay is a popular spot to view the over 100,000 hawks, owls, and other birds of prey that migrate here in the spring. Spring hawk counts take place March through May. Raptor, as well as owl banding, takes place during this time and the public is allowed to visit one of the banding stations to see the process. It is the only hawk banding station in the country open to the public. See www.bbrr.org for more information on the raptors.

In addition, The Kaiser-Manitou Beach Banding Station in the park has much activity during the migration seasons in spring and fall. Volunteers from the Braddock Bay Observatory, a non-profit organization, do migration research in both Braddock Bay and in nearby Hamlin Beach State Park Common nesters in Braddock Bay include mallards, blue winged-teal, and wood ducks. For more info see www.bbbo.org.

A few miles east of Braddock Bay you’ll find Ontario Beach Park on Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River, which has a beautiful beach, a park with a vintage carousel, and a long pier, which is a popular spot to watch birds, sunsets, and boats coming in and out of the harbor.

Travel even further east, and you’ll come to Irondequoit Bay. Sharp-tailed sandpipers can be spotted in the mudflats on the south end of the bay. Gulls come here in winter and Bald Eagles have been known to nest here.

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Where do Canadian Geese migrate to in the winter?

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

As my husband and I were driving past one of our local parks the other day we noticed that there were quite a bit of geese sitting around. That got us to thinking, where do Canadian geese migrate to, how do they know when to migrate, and why do they migrate?

While we often jokingly refer to retired folks as “snowbirds,” traveling south in winter and coming back in summer, geese actually are birds that do that very thing. Geese spend their winters in the southern part of the United States and some even go as far south as Mexico. In spring, when they head back up north, some stay in the northern United States, while some fly all the way north to the Arctic tundra. Most waterfowl breed in the north during the spring and spend their winters in the warmer climates in the south.

Geese generally do not head to one specific area; they usually decide to stop when they get to a place that feels comfortable to them. When migrating, they can actually travel 16 hours without stopping and can reach speeds up to 60 MPH. Some will even fly as high as 8,000 feet in altitude. Generally, the geese decide to fly south when their food supply, such as grass, berries, seeds, pond plants, and algae, begin to diminish at the end of summer.

The reason they fly in a V formation is to reduce drag on their wings by lining up with the bird in front of them, so they can save energy.

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Squirrels: If you can’t fight ‘em, then feed ‘em

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

By Christine A. Smyczynski

It can be frustrating when your bird feeder turns into a squirrel feeder. You can do one of two things, you can either squirrel proof your bird feeders or you can surprise your furry visitors and put out a feeder just for them.

If you want to discourage squirrels from feeding at your bird feeder, you can get a squirrel proof bird feeder, such as the Yankee Flipper ($119.99) which has a motor driven, battery-powered perch that is activated by the weight of the squirrel and flips him off. The Heritage Farms Absolute 7533 Squirrel Proof Feeder ($69.99) has a counterweight that closes the feeding ports when a squirrel or large bird sits on the perch.

You can also fill you seed feeder with safflower seeds, as squirrels don’t like the taste of safflower seeds. Make sure you place your bird feeders in a place where squirrels can’t jump to them, as squirrels can jump up to 4 feet vertically and jump up to 12 feet horizontally.

If you want to have your birds and squirrels co-exist peacefully, put out some squirrel feeders and see what happens. Of course, put them in different areas of the yard; the squirrels will find them, as they can smell food from a distance.

Most squirrel feeders are designed to make feeding a challenge for the squirrel, which makes it entertaining for human observers. However, keep in mind that once you put out squirrel feeders, you may attract more squirrels than the area can support, so you will have to continue feeding them.

USA Bird Supply carries Birdola Squirola Cakes, which contain corn, sunflower seed, peanuts, and gelatin to attract squirrels. You can get eight 2 ½ pound cakes for $39.99.

The Heath Squirrel Feeder ($9.99) is made of weather resistant cedar and holds one ear of corn for squirrels to munch on. Heath also makes a Squirrel Corn Log Treat 2 pack ($9.99) to use in this feeder.

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