Wild Birds Unlimited

10/15/2021

Being seasonally savvy is all about adjusting your bird feeding program to match the needs of the birds over the course of the changing seasons. For example, it’s migration time, so add some running water and maybe a little Bark Butter®️ smeared down low on a tree to attract numerous migrating song birds, including warblers and thrushes. You can also add a little millet to your bird food menu to attract juncos and other cool sparrows like the White-throated, White-crown, Golden-crowned, Fox and the American Tree Sparrow.

Being seasonally savvy is all about adjusting your bird feeding program to match the needs of the birds over the course of the changing seasons. For example, it’s migration time, so add some running water and maybe a little Bark Butter®️ smeared down low on a tree to attract numerous migrating song birds, including warblers and thrushes. You can also add a little millet to your bird food menu to attract juncos and other cool sparrows like the White-throated, White-crown, Golden-crowned, Fox and the American Tree Sparrow.

10/08/2021

Discover the joy of birdwatching by joining Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on their monthly bird walks.

October 9th 8am Banshee Reeks - Vireos, Cardinals, Kinglets and more might be among the species you’ll see at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, a 695-acre preserve that is considered a birding hotspot.

October 17th 8am - Bles Park Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on this regular bird walk at Bles Park located along the Potomac River in eastern Loudoun.

October 23rd 8am - Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship - explore parts of this beautiful 900-acre preserve and see what lives in and visits this diverse habitat. This family-friendly bird walk takes place every fourth Saturday of the month except in December. Meet at the Education Center; bring binoculars if you have them.

Registration Required.
loudounwildlife.org/events/category/programs-fieldtrips

Discover the joy of birdwatching by joining Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on their monthly bird walks.

October 9th 8am Banshee Reeks - Vireos, Cardinals, Kinglets and more might be among the species you’ll see at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, a 695-acre preserve that is considered a birding hotspot.

October 17th 8am - Bles Park Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on this regular bird walk at Bles Park located along the Potomac River in eastern Loudoun.

October 23rd 8am - Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship - explore parts of this beautiful 900-acre preserve and see what lives in and visits this diverse habitat. This family-friendly bird walk takes place every fourth Saturday of the month except in December. Meet at the Education Center; bring binoculars if you have them.

Registration Required.
loudounwildlife.org/events/category/programs-fieldtrips

10/08/2021

October Nature Happenings

Autumn colors peak in the third week of October.

Groundhogs feeding heavily for hibernation.

White -tailed deer bucks go into rut.

This is the month to install and repair nest boxes for use next year.

Waterfowl migration continues to build.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds depart this month.

Look for Rufous hummingbirds to arrive in Maryland and Virginia.

Most wood ducks migrate south this month. A few stay over winter.

Juncos and white-throated Sparrows arrive.

Orionids meteor shower is late October.

10/08/2021

Attract More Birds with a Variety of Foods

Fill your feeders with the best seed blends, seed cylinders and more! All bird food is 15% off now thru Monday October 11th.

Daily Savings Club members will receive an additional 5% on top of their already discounted price.

Order online order.wbu.com/ashburn for convenient in-store pickup or have it delivered to your door.

Coupon Code:FOOD15

Attract More Birds with a Variety of Foods

Fill your feeders with the best seed blends, seed cylinders and more! All bird food is 15% off now thru Monday October 11th.

Daily Savings Club members will receive an additional 5% on top of their already discounted price.

Order online order.wbu.com/ashburn for convenient in-store pickup or have it delivered to your door.

Coupon Code:FOOD15

10/08/2021

October is Bat Appreciation Month. Take some time to learn about these nighttime flyers and how much of a difference they make in our world!

October is Bat Appreciation Month. Take some time to learn about these nighttime flyers and how much of a difference they make in our world!

10/07/2021

From our exclusive seed blends and suets to nectar and insects, we offer a variety of foods to help you attract the widest variety of birds to your yard.

All of our foods feature the highest quality ingredients, so you can be sure you're offering the best to your backyard dinner guests.

From our exclusive seed blends and suets to nectar and insects, we offer a variety of foods to help you attract the widest variety of birds to your yard.

All of our foods feature the highest quality ingredients, so you can be sure you're offering the best to your backyard dinner guests.

10/06/2021

Being seasonally savvy is all about adjusting your bird feeding program to match the needs of the birds over the course of the changing seasons.

For example, it’s migration time, so add some water and maybe a little Bark Butter®️ smeared down low on a tree to attract numerous migrating song birds, including warblers and thrushes. You can also add a little millet to your bird food menu to attract juncos and other cool sparrows like the White-throated, White-crown, Fox and the American Tree Sparrow.

There are a number of ways you can be seasonally savvy throughout the year.

Visit us at the store or online so we can show how.

ashburn.wbu.com/autumn-habitat-birds

Being seasonally savvy is all about adjusting your bird feeding program to match the needs of the birds over the course of the changing seasons.

For example, it’s migration time, so add some water and maybe a little Bark Butter®️ smeared down low on a tree to attract numerous migrating song birds, including warblers and thrushes. You can also add a little millet to your bird food menu to attract juncos and other cool sparrows like the White-throated, White-crown, Fox and the American Tree Sparrow.

There are a number of ways you can be seasonally savvy throughout the year.

Visit us at the store or online so we can show how.

ashburn.wbu.com/autumn-habitat-birds

10/05/2021

Whether they are in-the-shell or out, peanuts are an exciting addition to any backyard set up. They are full of protein, fat and enjoyed by many birds, including chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, nuthatches and jays, as well as those fun-loving, furry squirrels.

Whether they are in-the-shell or out, peanuts are an exciting addition to any backyard set up. They are full of protein, fat and enjoyed by many birds, including chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, nuthatches and jays, as well as those fun-loving, furry squirrels.

10/01/2021

October's Featured Native Plant - New England Aster

October's Featured Native Plant - New England Aster

09/29/2021

To celebrate National Coffee Day, look for bird-friendly, shade-grown coffees. You may not realize it, but the coffee you drink can have an impact on bird populations. By drinking bird-friendly coffee, you’ll be helping to preserve native forests birds depend on for survival!

To celebrate National Coffee Day, look for bird-friendly, shade-grown coffees. You may not realize it, but the coffee you drink can have an impact on bird populations. By drinking bird-friendly coffee, you’ll be helping to preserve native forests birds depend on for survival!

09/22/2021

It's the first day of autumn and a great time to feed the birds as they prepare for falling temperatures. Get your backyard ready for the season and enjoy watching the birds.

It's the first day of autumn and a great time to feed the birds as they prepare for falling temperatures. Get your backyard ready for the season and enjoy watching the birds.

09/21/2021

Our Way of Saying "Thanks"

As a thanks to all of our Daily Savings Club® (DSC) members, we're giving you a chance to earn Double DSC Points!

So instead of your usual $10 Bird Buck with every $200 purchase, you will receive a $10 Bird Buck for every $100 you spend, good for a future purchase.

Double points event runs through Monday September 27th in-store and online order.wbu.com/ashburn

Not a Daily Savings Club member yet? Join today in-store or online order.wbu.com/order/savings-club/ and receive exclusive member benefits!

Our Way of Saying "Thanks"

As a thanks to all of our Daily Savings Club® (DSC) members, we're giving you a chance to earn Double DSC Points!

So instead of your usual $10 Bird Buck with every $200 purchase, you will receive a $10 Bird Buck for every $100 you spend, good for a future purchase.

Double points event runs through Monday September 27th in-store and online order.wbu.com/ashburn

Not a Daily Savings Club member yet? Join today in-store or online order.wbu.com/order/savings-club/ and receive exclusive member benefits!

09/16/2021

Ban on Feeding Birds Lifted on August 19, 2021

The Department of Wildlife Resources in the State of Virginia gave the OK to resume feeding birds in all affected areas.

Included in their statement was the following: "As of mid-August, reports of sick and dead birds have declined in many jurisdictions, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is lifting its previous recommendation to cease feeding birds in affected areas."

To view the full official statement from the Virginia DWR click below. dwr.virginia.gov/blog/dwr-advises-of-guidelines-to-resume-feeding-birds/

Please continue to follow the recommendation for Responsible Bird Feeding. We will continue to post updates as they become available although it could be weeks or months if and when a final cause is determined for this mortality event.

ashburn.wbu.com/responsible-bird-feeding

ashburn.wbu.com/unknown-bird-illness-update-cornell

Ban on Feeding Birds Lifted on August 19, 2021

The Department of Wildlife Resources in the State of Virginia gave the OK to resume feeding birds in all affected areas.

Included in their statement was the following: "As of mid-August, reports of sick and dead birds have declined in many jurisdictions, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is lifting its previous recommendation to cease feeding birds in affected areas."

To view the full official statement from the Virginia DWR click below. dwr.virginia.gov/blog/dwr-advises-of-guidelines-to-resume-feeding-birds/

Please continue to follow the recommendation for Responsible Bird Feeding. We will continue to post updates as they become available although it could be weeks or months if and when a final cause is determined for this mortality event.

ashburn.wbu.com/responsible-bird-feeding

ashburn.wbu.com/unknown-bird-illness-update-cornell

09/15/2021

Love 'em or hate 'em, squirrels are a part of bird feeding. Even if you don't mind squirrels, you might prefer that they didn't eat the seed you meant for your birds. We offer a variety of solutions for keeping squirrels away from bird feeders. Let us show you how to use specially-designed feeders, hardware solutions and even hot pepper bird foods to win the squirrel battles.

Love 'em or hate 'em, squirrels are a part of bird feeding. Even if you don't mind squirrels, you might prefer that they didn't eat the seed you meant for your birds. We offer a variety of solutions for keeping squirrels away from bird feeders. Let us show you how to use specially-designed feeders, hardware solutions and even hot pepper bird foods to win the squirrel battles.

09/05/2021

These tips will help to ensure that the seed you provide your birds will always be healthy and nutritious:

- Always store your seed in a cool and dry location.

- Store seed in rodent and insect proof containers.

- If the seed containers are kept outdoors, secure the lids so that animals cannot get in and contaminate the seed.

- Never mix old seed with new seed.

These tips will help to ensure that the seed you provide your birds will always be healthy and nutritious:

- Always store your seed in a cool and dry location.

- Store seed in rodent and insect proof containers.

- If the seed containers are kept outdoors, secure the lids so that animals cannot get in and contaminate the seed.

- Never mix old seed with new seed.

09/02/2021

Joe-pye-weed, September's native plant of the month.

Joe-pye-weed, September's native plant of the month.

08/31/2021

Being seasonally savvy is all about adjusting your bird feeding program to match the needs of the birds over the course of the changing seasons. For example, it’s migration time, so add some running water and maybe a little Bark Butter®️ smeared down low on a tree to attract numerous migrating song birds, including warblers and thrushes. You can also add a little millet to your bird food menu to attract juncos and other cool sparrows like the White-throated, White-crown, Golden-crowned, Fox and the American Tree Sparrow.

There are a number of ways you can be seasonally savvy throughout the year. Visit us at the store or online so we can show you how.

Being seasonally savvy is all about adjusting your bird feeding program to match the needs of the birds over the course of the changing seasons. For example, it’s migration time, so add some running water and maybe a little Bark Butter®️ smeared down low on a tree to attract numerous migrating song birds, including warblers and thrushes. You can also add a little millet to your bird food menu to attract juncos and other cool sparrows like the White-throated, White-crown, Golden-crowned, Fox and the American Tree Sparrow.

There are a number of ways you can be seasonally savvy throughout the year. Visit us at the store or online so we can show you how.

08/25/2021

Summer is Flying By!
☀
Summer is the most heavily bird-populated season across most of North America. But with a little help, your feeders could be even more full of life! Research shows the loss of nearly one-third of our total bird population over the past 50 years. Keeping your feeders filled with a reliable food source is one way you can help #savethesongbirds.

Important: The content on this page reaches a global audience. There have been recent accounts of bird deaths due to unknown causes. If you live in an impacted area, look to your local wildlife officials for recommendations about feeding birds in your backyard at this time. Everyone who enjoys feeding the birds should ALWAYS keep your bird feeders and bird baths clean: https://www.wbu.com/responsible-bird-feeding/

Summer is Flying By!
☀
Summer is the most heavily bird-populated season across most of North America. But with a little help, your feeders could be even more full of life! Research shows the loss of nearly one-third of our total bird population over the past 50 years. Keeping your feeders filled with a reliable food source is one way you can help #savethesongbirds.

Important: The content on this page reaches a global audience. There have been recent accounts of bird deaths due to unknown causes. If you live in an impacted area, look to your local wildlife officials for recommendations about feeding birds in your backyard at this time. Everyone who enjoys feeding the birds should ALWAYS keep your bird feeders and bird baths clean: https://www.wbu.com/responsible-bird-feeding/

08/24/2021

*Update for the state of Delaware* The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has given the OK to resume feeding birds. Residents who choose to resume feeding birds and providing water in bird baths should remain vigilant and follow standard cleanliness guidelines. Read the entire statement here: https://news.delaware.gov/2021/08/24/dnrec-to-lift-advisory-on-use-of-bird-feeders-and-baths-as-songbird-mortality-decreases/

*Update for the state of Delaware* The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has given the OK to resume feeding birds. Residents who choose to resume feeding birds and providing water in bird baths should remain vigilant and follow standard cleanliness guidelines. Read the entire statement here: https://news.delaware.gov/2021/08/24/dnrec-to-lift-advisory-on-use-of-bird-feeders-and-baths-as-songbird-mortality-decreases/

08/21/2021

Hummingbird Fun Facts - Last Installment

Ruby-throated hummingbirds have one of the highest nesting success rates of any neotropical migrant.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds will have two broods, each taking 45 days from nest construction to fledging.

Hummingbirds use spider webs as glue to attach the nest to a tree branch as well as a binding agent for building materials.

Hummingbirds lap up nectar with their long tongues. There is a groove on either side of the tongue that creates a capillary action to help draw the nectar up the tongue and into the mouth. While lapping up nectar, hummingbirds can move their tongues in and out of their bill at a rate of up to 12 times a second.

Female hummingbirds' tongues are longer that the males.

They eat insects and insect eggs on the ground and in trees. They love spiders and spider eggs. They use their bill and not their tongue to catch insects.

Hummingbirds can fly up to 60 miles an per hour, but typically fly at 30-45 miles per hour. They can hover and are the only birds able to fly backwards and upside down. They can do this because of an extremely mobile shoulder joint.

Their wings beat 20-80 times per second.

During the night, ruby-throated hummingbirds can enter into a state of torpor to save energy. Similar to a type of short-term hibernation, torpor reduces their metabolic activity and drops their heart rate from 1,200 beats per minute to 50 beats per minute.

The male hummingbird's gorget (throat patch) is iridescent and reflects certain color wavelengths. Some of these unique throat colors can be used to identify specific male species. Anna's hummingbird flashes neon pink; Costa's is violet; Magnificent is green; Ruby-throated is ruby-red; and the Blue-throated is vivid blue.