April 2025

THE FLOCK NEWSLETTER

Bluebird Bugberry Blend®

Set out the welcome mat by offering our exclusive Bluebird Bugberry Blend®, loaded with an Eastern Bluebird’s favorite foods like Bark Butter® Bits, dried mealworms, sunflower chips, peanut pieces, cranberries, raisins, and calcium. This blend is perfect to offer during nesting season, or year- round. The Bark Butter® Bits are something that adult birds can feed their nestlings, and the added calcium helps with egg and feather production. You can use trays, hoppers, and tube feeders to serve up this nutritious blend for your feathered friends. Stock up today by visiting us in-store or shopping online at https://order.wbu.com/brighton.

What have we been seeing?

Nesting Chickadees!

Black-capped Chickadees are usually one of the earlier nesters for the season and they begin searching as early as March! They are comfortable in a hanging or mounted bird house with an entry hole that is 1 1/8 inch in diameter. Our sales associate Jamie got this great photo of one of his Chickadees bringing in nesting material. They like to excavate a little when they build a nest, so placing white pine wood chips in the bottom can entice them to pick your house over another. Typically, their nests are cup-shaped and made out of dried grasses, fluff, and moss. Make sure you get a nest box up for them quick, because they only nest once a season!

Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 6th from 4 PM to 5 PM (in- store): Hummingbirds: Nature's Jewel. Learn about these beautiful jewels and how you can attract them to your garden.

Sunday, April 13th from 4 PM to 5 PM (in- store): Bats of Michigan. They are waking up this month, learn what you can do for them in your own backyard.

Sunday, April 27th from 4 PM to 5 PM (in- store): All About Orioles. This class will go over every species of Oriole and which ones are commonly found in Michigan.

Contact the store for class registration at 810-522-5520 of click HERE!

Meet Our Flock:

Finch the Store Cat

Question: When did you join Wild Birds Unlimited of Brighton? I moved into the store in November 2021 after
Mitch and Laurel found me in their backyard.

Question: What’s your favorite part of being a valuable member of the team? Meeting so many new people! I’m pretty much the store greeter and whenever I hear my friends I come running to play.

Question: What’s your favorite bird? Oh, this is a tough one, but I would probably go with the Northern Cardinal. When Mitch and Laurel found me, my siblings were chasing one around the yard. They are such a beautiful bird, so keep your cats indoors, because sometimes they can become a meal for us - and no one wants to see that!

Bird Nerd Corner:

Bluebird Snack Time!

Mealworms are an amazing food to serve your birds right now, because they are full of protein. They are an important resource for migrating birds and baby birds, and can possibly attract some species you don’t normally see. Our customer H.F. caught this amazing picture of an Eastern Bluebird stopping by for a snack. She doesn’t normally see them, but they found her Good Morning Bluebird feeder within a few days! Consider adding a new feeder to your set-up or adding mealworms to your food to attract some new visitors. If you are interested in sharing a story or picture with us, send an email to [email protected].

Harbingers of Spring:

What Species Arrive First

A common myth that is heard all the time is that American Robins and Eastern Bluebirds are the first species to return after winter, however, in Michigan both are here year-round. During times of harsh weather these species move to wooded areas because there is more food available, with dormant insect larvae and berries, seeds, and nuts that remain on trees during winter.

The true first species to arrive would be the Red-winged Blackbird, they begin migrating back in late February when wetlands start thawing as the temperature changes. Males are the first wave to return because for them to have a successful breeding season, they need to establish the largest territory and attract the most females. They are most prevalent at feeders when they first arrive or when they are preparing to leave for migration, when insect populations are at their lowest.

Spring ephemerals are more reliable at predicting the beginning of Spring and the turn of the temperatures. The most common ones that can be seen are Skunk Cabbage, Bloodroot, Yellow Trout Lilies, Common Violets, White Trilliums, and Wild Geraniums. Typically, these plants can be found on forest floors along trails or near wetlands, and they are indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Soon Summer will be in full swing, so get out there now before all they leaves grow in and see what you can find in your backyard!