Johnsons's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2007
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/newsletter/birdsquirrels.html

The Early Bird
April / May 2007
Mike Hargrove, Johnson's Ridge Rd. Store Manager

    Although the appearance of a robin on your lawn is a sure sign of
spring,  American Robins actually spend the winter in Kansas,
congregating in large flocks in heavily wooded areas and eating berries.

Providing Winter Food
    Robins are omnivorous and change their diet according to the food
that is most available. In the winter they will visit a yard that has
berry producing trees and shrubs; and feeders with sunflower meats and
peanuts. Hawthorns and crabapples are two of their favorite trees in my
yard, and they always hit the tray feeders for the Johnson's Gardener's
Choice Bird Food. Fresh water is another sure way to keep robins hanging
around all year.

In Spring Thoughts Turn to Worms
    In the spring, the robins congregate on lawns looking for
earthworms. You will notice them with their heads cocked to one side
looking for a meal. Later in the day, they typically shift their diet to
fruit and insects. Robins are the first birds to start singing every
spring morning right at dawn. No wonder the early bird gets the worm.
Their breeding season lasts from April to July and once they are through
the males are not so verbal.

... and Spring Breeding
    Robins will raise up to three broods every spring. On average, only
about 40% of nests are successful and only about 25% of the fledglings
survive. The female builds a cup-shaped nest out of grass, twigs, paper
and feathers woven together. She then lines the inner bowl with mud,
smearing it with her breast and adding soft materials to cushion the
eggs. A new nest is built for each brood. The female incubates the eggs
for about 14 days. The young birds will leave the nest after another 14
days and for the next two weeks, the fledglings follow the parent birds
begging for food.

    One of the most aggravating habits robins have during the breeding
season is defending their territory against all other robins, even the
one it sees in the reflection of your window or car bumper! They will
drive you and themselves crazy tapping on the window trying to chase off
that reflection. If you can block their reflection in your windows, you
will save yourself and the poor bird a lot of aggravation.

Spring Bird Feeding Tips
    - Do not put your feeders away. There is very little natural food in
      the wild. Nesting birds expend a lot of energy and need a dependable
      food source.

    - Goldfinch numbers will continue to increase until mid May. Make sure
      the nyjer in your finch feeder is not more than six weeks old and flows
      freely in the feeder.

    - Now that the days are warmer, do some cleaning around the bird
      feeding stations. Use soap and a mild bleach solution (10%) to clean
      your feeders. Pick up all the seed shells that have gathered under the
      feeders.

    - Clean your birdbaths with a good stiff brush and baking soda. Before
      putting away the birdbath heater, soak it in a vinegar solution to clean
      the mineral deposits from the heating element.