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Welcome to BirdTracks® Online!
An email newsletter from
Wild Birds Unlimited for February 2004.

In This Issue:
 - Great Backyard Bird Count starts Friday!
 - Purple Martins now migrating
 - Water in winter is wonderful!
 - Prepare early for nesting

Don't forget to count the birds this weekend!
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), now in its seventh year, attempts to obtain a snapshot of bird activity throughout North America. Scientists use the information gathered to study bird population trends and migration patterns. Researchers combine the data collected nationwide and use it to help with bird conservation efforts.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society manage this event, and Wild Birds Unlimited is proud to sponsor the GBBC. For more information about the event taking place Feb. 13-16, access http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/  or stop by a participating Wild Birds Unlimited store.

Purple Martins now migrating
Watching Purple Martins can be quite entertaining! These birds often dive and swoop through the sky. Over the next couple of months, these birds shall be returning to much of North America in search of breeding grounds. The male birds are known for performing the "Dawn Song" in late spring. As he sings, he soars high above the colony to attract other birds. Purple Martins nest in colonies - almost entirely in manmade housing. Martins west of the Rocky Mountains are the only ones that nest in natural cavities.

They like to nest in open spaces so it's important to place a Purple Martin house at least 40 feet from the nearest tall tree and from 40 to 100 feet from your home. Be sure the Purple Martin house is a light color and has the correct entrance size - about 2 1/4 inches. Wild Birds Unlimited has 2-, 4- and 6-compartment Purple Martin Houses for sale, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA). For more information about Purple Martins or to chart the migration of these birds, access http://www.purplemartin.org/.

Purple Martin Facts

• Purple Martins pair after they find a nesting site.
• Pair bond only lasts for one nesting season.
• Purple Martins will eat egg shells which helps boost their calcium intake.
• The Purple Martin Conservation Association recommends that all gourds and houses be painted white to help keep them cool.
• Most success in occupancy occurs when the houses are placed closer to human houses (within 100') and away from tree lines at least 40').
• Also most successful, if other birds start to nest, the houses are closed off and then reopened later. Be sure to place appropriate houses nearby (wren, swallow, etc.).
• Regular monitoring is an important part of successful martin management
• Landlords who do not monitor their site will not know if predators such as rat snakes, raccoons, or owls have raided the site at night. Such raids usually result in permanent abandonment of the colony site.

Access our web site for more information on Purple Martins.

Water in winter is wonderful!
Water sources in winter are a wonderful way to attract a variety of birds, such as the American Robin, that don't normally visit feeders. They provide a reliable source of water for bathing and drinking. Bathing keeps their feathers clean and will help them to stay warm throughout the frigid weather. Winter can be one of the hardest times to find water sources. Birds will even go so far as to eat falling snowflakes or water dripping from icicles.

Check out the heated baths or the birdbath heaters from your nearest Wild Birds Unlimited store. The WBU Birdbath Heater can make any birdbath in your yard a heated one. Access our web site for more information on winter birdfeeding. 

Prepare early for nesting
Nesting birds will soon begin looking for new home locations for nesting season. Now is the time to prepare your yard with housing for these special guests. It is important to have nest boxes in place as the courtship commences. Look for signs of House Wrens nesting in your neighborhood. They will be ducking in and out of nest boxes and other cavities trying to find the perfect location and fit. The male House Wren gathers twigs and makes nests in multiple locations and then waits for the female to decide which one suits her fancy. She will then put her finishing touches, with a soft lining for the little ones, on the box she has chosen.

What this maestro lacks in color, he makes up in vigorous song. Singing dawn to dusk during the mating season, he is often heard before being seen. Use a pair of close-focus binoculars for easy viewing of wrens, dancing around your yard, working hard to build a home. Also watch for the upturned flicking tail. Visit your nearest Wild Birds Unlimited store for a full line of nest boxes to share the life of birds in your yard.

For more information about nesting, access these educational resources .