The Flock Newsletter
May 2026
|
Just in Time for Mother’s Day
Martin wants to introduce one of our newest seed characters: Blossom the Skunk! Seed cylinders are hand-crafted and held together with gelatin, which makes it slightly harder for the birds to just grab what they want and fly off. Instead, they must work on it and stay at the feeder longer.
Blossom is a blend of sunflower and safflower seed, so Northern Cardinals, Black-capped Chickadees, and White-breasted Nuthatches will all be happy to visit. There are many other varieties of seed cylinders, seed characters, and feeders available in store and online at https://order.wbu.com/brighton for all your bird feeding needs. |
Squirrels can be fun, but always be careful!
Our sales associate Jamie always has amazing stories about his resident squirrel, Jeff. Within the past few weeks this friendly black squirrel has decided to knock on the window when it wants peanuts. Jamie also learned that Jeff is in fact a mother, and she has brought around one of her babies to show off and teach them where the good stuff is.
Squirrels are wild animals, so if you notice that they are getting too friendly and too comfortable with people, stop feeding them. The best way to separate you from food is feeding them away from the house in a tray feeder and refilling it at different times throughout the day to avoid establishing a schedule. |
Upcoming Event Schedule
Saturday, May 2nd, 11 AM to 2 PM
Earth Day Fest 2026
Millpond Amphitheater
Join us in downtown Brighton to celebrate Earth Day and the community.
Wednesday, May 6th, 7 PM to 8 PM
Attracting Bluebirds
In-store
Learn how to bring these blue beauties into your backyard and get them to stay.
Sunday, May 17th, 4 PM to 5 PM
Bats of Michigan
In-store
This program teaches you everything you need to know about the bats that reside in our state.
Contact the store for class registration at 810-522-5520. |
|
|
Simple Actions to Save Birds: Avoid Pesticides
Every year more than 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States, and many of these can be very toxic to wildlife. Pesticides work their way up the food chain, causing issues that last decades.
Birds are harmed by pesticides in two different ways. They can be directly exposed when pesticides are sprayed or spread in water or on the ground, usually impacting birds quickly. They can also be exposed through the food they eat, whether it is a seed or insect affected by pesticides.
This also reduces the number of insects birds can feed their offspring, which can lead to failed nests and smaller populations. Raptors are especially vulnerable because pesticides can build up within the food web.
How can you make an impact? Consider eating organic food, growing your own fruits and vegetables, using fewer pesticides, or choosing more natural remedies to protect your lawn or garden. |
|
Nature Nerd Corner: Hungry Cardinals
Our customer H.F. was surprised to find her Northern Cardinals eating suet, something they do not usually snack on. In late spring, many food resources dwindle before everything starts blooming and insects begin to emerge, which pushes birds and critters to eat anything they can get their beaks or paws on.
In this snapshot, the cardinal is eating a hot pepper suet cake in a simple suet cage. Northern Cardinals have also been known to eat black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, peanut splits, mealworms, and Bark Butter® bits. If you want to attract more Northern Cardinals to your backyard, stop by the store and we will get you set up for success! |
Save the Songbirds: The Importance of Native Plants
When thinking of our feathered friends and how to attract them, many start with feeding them or providing a house for them. Native plants can do both at the same time. These plants make up the ecosystem that many of our birds depended on before we came around. Adding these types of flora to our backyard is one of the best ways to keep our favorite species around long-term.
Oak trees are one of the most beneficial trees that can be added to your landscaping because they provide tons of food and plenty of shelter options like cavities or branches. Acorns and bugs are some of the best natural food resources for common backyard birds like Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Black-capped Chickadees.
Planting wildflowers for every season is a great thing to keep in mind, so there are seeds, nuts, and bugs available year-round. Many native plants bring in butterflies, bees, moths, beetles, and fireflies because they depend on them for laying eggs and providing nourishment for their larvae. Finding the best plants for your yard can take some research on sunlight, moisture levels, and soil composition.
Wildtype Native Plants is a local native plant nursery in Mason, Michigan where you can buy wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees during their limited Public Sale Days. Another great resource is the Garden for Wildlife program created by the National Wildlife Federation. On their website, you can shop for native plants that grow in your area. You can also stop by our store in late May to check out what native plants we have left from our native plant pre-order sale.
Resources:
Wildtype Native Plants
Garden for Wildlife
Native Plant Finder
Plant Native
Audubon Native Plants |
Wild Birds Unlimited - Brighton
9610 Village Place Blvd.
Brighton, MI 48116
(810) 522-5520 |
Closed Major Holidays
Order Online at:
http://brighton.wbu.com |
|
|
