Flying Friends Wild Bird Shop

05/31/2026

Randall Rd Construction Update, our intersections are now back open! Alexandria Blvd at Randall to close tomorrow (Monday, June 1, for approximately 4 weeks).

The intersection of Angela Lane and Randall Rd and the intersection of Village Rd and Randall Rd are now open! These are the East-West roads to the immediate North and South of our shop (see map below). So when approaching from the North on Randall, you can now make a right onto Angela Lane into our shopping center. And when approaching from the South on Randall, you can once again make a left onto Village, then an immediate right onto Carlemont Dr, and our shopping center will be on your right once you pass the apartment complexes.

The intersection of Randall Rd and Alexandria Blvd will be closed for about 4 weeks starting Monday, June 1st. This shouldn’t affect your drive as the most efficient routes to our store are the ones mentioned above. However, if when approaching from the South on Randall, you have grown accustomed to driving slightly past our store to make the left on Alexandria, be aware that you will no longer be able to do that. If you make the mistake of going past Village Rd while driving North on Randall, you will have to circle around through the neighborhood (by making your next left on Ackman, left on Westport Ridge, left on Alexandria, right on Carlemont). So try to avoid that! We know the construction can be an inconvenience, but the worst part is now behind us. Our intersections should not close again for an extended period of time for the duration of the project (1-day closures may happen for quick work). We appreciate your support during this time! Remember too, we offer FREE Delivery in our local area for orders above $25.

Go through the images below to see the routes depending on which direction you are coming from.

Approaching from the West, Northwest, or Southwest (Huntley, Lakewood, etc.):

You shouldn't be affected. Just take your normal route of traveling East on Ackman, Miller, or Algonquin Rd. and avoid Randall. If using Miller, make a left on Golf Course, right on Village, and then a left on Carlemont. You'll see the back of our building on your right. Don't make the mistake of taking Miller too far because you will eventually hit Randall.

05/22/2026

This Sunday, May 24, is the last day of our Storewide* 20% Off Spring Sale!

Set up your yard to enjoy the birds all year long with high quality feeders, baths, poles, and more! Plus custom seed blends designed to attract a wide variety of birds in our area. Get expert advice on how to maximize your yard for birding, with guaranteed solutions to keep squirrels and other critters at bay. Quit wasting money on junk and come to the local pros!

Remember, our Club Members always get 15% off all bird food and $5 off every $100 spent when there is no other sale.

Joining is free and easy! Sign up in-store, by phone (815-893-6889), or get automatically enrolled when you place an online order. Plus get a $5 coupon for every $100 spent, so another 5% off! Text WILDBIRD to 578277 to enroll. We don't spam and never sell or share your information with anybody! We average a text and email once every 3 weeks. It's how we let you know about sales, tips and tricks for attracting birds, and when migrators arrive in our area.

Don't miss out and join today!

You can browse about half of what we carry at FlyingFriendsCL.com, and we offer free delivery for orders above $25 in our local area. But visit our physical store for all the newest products and best advice to turn your yard into a birding oasis!

We will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Have a great holiday weekend!

*Excludes books, optics, labor, Coveside/Amish/Nature's Creation/Bryan's Landing bird houses, Camera-Enabled Bird Feeders, some granite birdbaths, 50 lb. bags of bird seed (capped at 15% off), and items subject to manufacturer minimum pricing.

05/15/2026

05/15/2026

We're in peak migration! Now is the absolute best time of year to see new and unusual species, with hundreds of millions of birds taking to the skies every day across the US. Pay extra close attention to your feeders and baths over the next few weeks! Bird baths in particular can be a huge draw for new visitors, especially as it gets hotter out. It will be in the 80°s this weekend and Monday (May 16-18)! Not all birds eat seed, but they all need water, especially after their long journey. Keep those baths clean and refresh the water regularly for optimal results. In the past week I’ve seen several species of warblers, Indigo Buntings, Cedar Waxwings, Scarlet Tanagers, and many more in my birdbath, and that’s right here in Crystal Lake! Don’t have a birdbath? Well now is a great time to get one, as almost all of our baths are 20% off. We highly recommend our Junior Aggregate Fountain to keep the water moving and to create that nice babbling brook sound that will attract even more birds. Or use our Floating Solar Bubbler.

We also highly recommend going on a walk in nature. The next two weeks or so will continue to be peak migration, and then it will start slowing down a little. From about 5am-9am is the optimal time as the birds are the most active and vocal. You’ll definitely want a pair of binoculars, so stop by our shop and try some out if you don’t have any. You can test our entire selection and find the perfect one for your needs. We only carry binoculars that are great for birding, and they all have lifetime warranties! Also, download the Merlin app and use the sound ID to help you level up your birding game. It's free, has no ads, and is run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Even if you are a beginner, a simple pair of binoculars along with the Merlin App can have you spotting new and beautiful birds in no time. I can confirm that Veteran Acres Park here in Crystal Lake is teeming with warblers, vireos, thrushes, and so much more. You will find the beautiful indigo bunting with little effort.

Our 20% Off Storewide Sale is going on for 9 more days (ends Sunday, May 24, 2026). We carry high quality products that last, many with lifetime warranties that hold up in harsh conditions, with quality bird seed that attracts a wide variety of birds in our area. Get expert advice on how to maximize your yard for birding, with guaranteed solutions to keep squirrels and other critters at bay. Quit wasting money on junk and come to the local pros!

See our previous posts for tips on attracting amazing migrators!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CiyPSUzMu/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17jUueNtkV/

If you like our content, please follow, share, and support our local Crystal Lake store! You can browse about half of what we carry at FlyingFriendsCL.com, and we offer free delivery for orders above $25 in our local area. But visit our physical store for all the newest products and best advice to turn your yard into a birding oasis!

Happy Spring!

05/06/2026

McHenry Bird Migration Update! Orioles, Hummingbirds, and Grosbeaks are back with many reported sightings! The northerly winds and cooler temps have certainly slowed down migration, with birds about one week behind from where they were at this point last year. But they are on the move and arriving in our area in greater numbers every day. We expect another big push of migrators this Friday and Saturday (May 8-9), with consistent southerly winds and warmer temps. Saturday should be a great day for birding!

With lows in the 30°s the next 2 nights (May 6-7), the migrators that are here will be hungry and looking for feeders to refuel and raise their body temperature. Take advantage of this opportunity to attract beautiful and unique species!

Don’t fret if you haven’t seen any Orioles, Grosbeaks, or Hummingbirds yet. We are still several days away from the most concentrated groupings arriving in our area. Peak migration is around May 9-25 in McHenry County this year. Just get your feeders out and be ready!

See our previous posts for tips on attracting these gorgeous birds.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CiyPSUzMu/
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17jUueNtkV/

If you like our content, please follow, share, and support our local Crystal Lake store! You can browse about half of what we carry at FlyingFriendsCL.com, and we offer free delivery for orders above $25 in our local area. But visit our physical store for all the newest products and expert advice.

We’re now running our 20% off Storewide Spring Sale and are fully stocked with lots of wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day! Our Camera-Enabled Solar Powered Bird Seed Feeder is only $99.99 thru May 10th!

Happy Spring Migration!

05/06/2026

Tips for Avoiding New Randall Rd Construction Closures to get to Our Store.

Starting Monday, May 4, and lasting for about 4 weeks, the intersection of Village Rd and Randall Rd and the intersection of Angela Lane and Randall Rd will be closed. These are the East-West roads to the immediate north and south of our shop (see map below). Alexandria and Miller, the East-West roads immediatelety to the North and South of the closed intersections, will remain open, and there is a stoplight at each of those intersections. In addtion, the southbound lane of Randall Rd between Angela Lane and Polaris will occasionally be reduced to one lane. We know this can be an inconvenience, but with the tips below you can avoid the closures and it should only add a few minutes to your commute. We appreciate your support during this time! Remember too, we offer FREE Delivery in our local for orders above $25.

Go through the images below to see the alternative routes depending on which direction your are coming from.

Approaching from the West, Northwest, or Southwest (Huntley, Lakewood, etc.):

You shouldn't be affected. Just take your normal route of traveling east on Ackman, Miller, or Algonquin Rd. and avoid Randall. If using Miller, make a left on Golf Course, right on Village, and then a left on Carlemont. You'll see the back of our building on your right. Don't make the mistake of taking Miller too far because you will eventually hit Randall.

05/04/2026

Tomorrow (Monday May 4th) should be a great day for birdwatching! We're thinking the strong southerly winds will usher in lots of migrating birds, with massive increases in orioles, grosbeaks, hummingbirds, and many more in our area. So try to carve out some extra time to watch those feeders or go on a bird walk!

05/02/2026

TIPS & TRICKS FOR ATTRACTING BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Now Arriving in Good Numbers With Activity Exploding Early Next Week

We love these birds so much, we have an Oriole on our storefront sign!

Tips & Tricks for Attracting Them:

Make sure you have a feeder that allows you to offer both oranges and grape jelly. The oranges help get their attention since they are visible from far away. This will help them locate your feeder and raise your odds of attracting them. But the jelly is what will keep them coming back for more!

Try to put your feeder out in the open so they can find it easier. Orioles fly at about 40 feet above ground level when they are scouting for food. You want them to have line of sight on your feeder. It will take them longer to locate a feeder under an overhang or tucked in a tree with thick foliage. If the area you prefer to view them from has a lot of cover, get several oranges, cut them into quarters, spear them with a screwdriver, and spike them on anything you can that's out in the open (bushes, fence posts, shepherd's hooks, tree branches, etc.) This will give them lots of visual cues that your yard is a great place to dine. Once you lure them down to ground level, they will find your jelly feeder. Replace the oranges you place out in the open as needed (it’s likely squirrels and other critters will eat them). And refresh the oranges on your jelly feeders as well, even if the Orioles aren't eating them. The bright color raises the odds they will find your feeder (you can’t see jelly from far away, but you can see an orange)!

We recommend using our Birdberry Jelly, which is healthier for them than what you will find at the grocery store. It’s a combination of grape and blackberry jelly made specifically for Orioles and much closer to their natural diet. It doesn’t contain any high fructose corn syrup and comes in a squeeze bottle that makes refilling feeders easier.

We carry a variety of high-quality Oriole feeders at our shop in Crystal Lake, many with lifetime warranties that will hold up to the elements. We also have replacement parts for a small charge for most feeders not covered under warranty.

And we’re now running our 20% off Storewide Spring Sale and are fully stocked with lots of wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day! Our Camera-Enabled Solar Powered Bird Seed Feeder is only $99.99 thru May 10th!

Let our experts show you all the possibilities on how to make your backyard a haven for wild birds. Plus we have guaranteed solutions to keep squirrels and other critters at bay!

If you like our content, please follow, share, and support our local Crystal Lake store! You can browse about half of what we carry at FlyingFriendsCL.com, and we offer free delivery for orders above $25 in our local area. But visit our physical store for all the newest products and expert advice.

We'll be posting a lot more over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for some great info on how to maximize your yard for bird watching.

Happy Spring Migration!

04/29/2026

McHenry Bird Migration Update! Orioles and Grosbeaks are here! The colder temps will likely push them towards feeders over the coming days and make this a great time to see them in your yard! Northerly winds are slowing down migration slightly, but birds are on the move and arriving in our area.

We have many customers reporting Oriole and Grosbeak sightings and expect their numbers to increase massively over the next 7 days. With low temps in the 30°s the next 4 nights (April 29-May 2), birds will be hungry and looking for feeders to refuel and raise their body temperature. Take advantage of this opportunity to attract beautiful and unique species!

Don’t fret if you haven’t seen any Orioles or Grosbeaks yet. Most people haven’t! The more concentrated groupings of both species will arrive over the next week (April 29-May 6). Just get those feeders out and be ready!

While there are a few hummingbird sightings here and there, we expect most people won’t start seeing them for another 7-14 days (around May 6-13).

See our previous post for tips on attracting these gorgeous birds.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17jUueNtkV/

Happy Spring Migration!

04/24/2026

MIGRATION UPDATE!
THE FIRST HUMMINGBIRDS & ORIOLES have just started popping up in our area!
MANY OTHER SPECIES ARE HERE!

House Wrens, White-throated Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, Purple Finches, Red-headed Woodpeckers, and many other migrating birds have arrived in good numbers over the last week. If you have the right habitat and the right bird feeders, houses, baths, and seeds out, you now have good a chance of attracting these birds. Stay tuned for upcoming posts for help IDing them and tips and trips to attract them!

Read on for our Hummingbird & Oriole migration update.

20% OFF Storewide Spring Sale Has Begun!

Stop by our store soon to get the best advice on attracting a wide variety of birds during migration. This is our favorite time of year for bird watching. Let us help you bring as much beauty to your yard as possible! We are more stocked than ever with great new products. Get set up for Spring or find that perfect Mother’s Day gift!

https://flyingfriendscl.com/products/

Remember only about 50% of our products are on our website. Come by and visit to see all we have to offer!

HUMMINGBIRDS:

The consistent southerly winds over the past week have pushed the very first hummingbirds into our area. Keep in mind that these first arrivals are typically 1-2 weeks ahead of the much more concentrated grouping. While the vast majority of hummingbirds remain south of us, more will arrive every day. We think we're still about 5-14 days (~April 29 to May 14) from when most people (with fresh nectar out) will have their first sightings. Of course some consistent southerly wind can push up this timeline (it's a lot easier to migrate with the wind at your back), so stay tuned for updates!

If you are a bird nerd like us, get your hummingbird feeders out now. Just be aware that your odds of seeing them are low for at least a few more days.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES:

The very first Baltimore Orioles have started popping up as well, with enough sightings close by to justify getting those feeders out now. We currently have a lot more oriole sightings in our area than hummingbird sightings. But just like the hummers, the vast majority of orioles remain south of us. Their numbers will grow every day and really explode late next week and into the following week (around April 28 to May 4). And they will remain very active at feeders throughout May and usually 1-2 weeks into June. Make sure to use both oranges and grape jelly to maximize your odds of success! In early to mid-June, their diet switches to almost 100% insects, so you'll have to offer live bugs to keep them. We do carry live mealworms at our shop if you are so inclined!

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS:

These beautiful birds are on a similar timeline as Baltimore Orioles (a few sightings here and there but about a week away from most people having their first visitor). Keep an eye out for them on sunflower and safflower feeders! They are bigger birds like cardinals and prefer tray feeders, hopper feeders with at least a 2" landing ledge, or tube style feeders with U-shaped perches. They will not land on stick style perches.

INDIGO BUNTINGS:

These gorgeous birds are about 7-10 days away, on a similar timeline as hummingbirds. Offer fresh Nyjer and millet. Try our Nyjer Mesh Feeder with a Seed Tray and our Fresh Nyjer for best results! Keep in mind that this is the least common bird to see in your backyard of the four mentioned in this post. They prefer to be near woods, fields, and streams with lots of brush and shrubs.

Happy Spring Migration!

Come stop by our shop in Crystal Lake, just off Randall Road, about ¼ mile before it turns into Rakow (in the same building as Fire Bar).