Leawood, Kansas

Doc & Diane Gover

Doc & Diane Gover

We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.

Leawood, Kansas

11711 Roe Ave
Leawood, KS 66211

Phone: (913) 491-4887
Fax: (913) 469-4318
Email: Send Message

Store Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

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The Bird Brain

Answers Your Backyard Birding Questions 

 

                                                                                                  

Backyard birds fill us with wonder and keep us guessing about their habits and routines. The more that we learn the more there is to appreciate.

 

Q) The weather has been so mild. Is there really a compelling reason to leave my bird feeders up?

A) It is so important to leave feeders filled through the spring because it is the most stressful time in the life of a bird. Especially this year, with the mild winter, all of the food in Mother Nature has been depleted because we had no snow or ice cover. In the spring all birds are establishing territories, looking for a mate, building nests, laying eggs, incubating eggs, feeding and protecting young all the while trying to find food for themselves. It’s a hard life and you can make such a positive impact by having your feeders filled with high calorie seed, suet dough with calcium added, mealworms, nectar and bird baths filled with fresh water. The thank you that you receive is beautiful color and melodious song filling your yard. It doesn’t get much better than that!

 

Q)   How often should I clean my birdfeeders?

A)  Clean and disinfect seed feeders regularly (every four weeks). Use one part bleach to ten parts water OR a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Make enough cleaning solution to immerse an empty feeder completely for two to three minutes. Then clean with a soft bristle, long-handled bottle brush, rinse well and allow to air dry. Refill with fresh seed and place in the yard.

 

Q) Please list some birds that are easily attracted to birdhouses.

A) The following birds are attracted to man-made housing: Eastern Screech Owl, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, Black-capped Chickadee, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Eastern Bluebird and more. Some housing needs are very specific. Be sure to ask questions when purchasing a bird house. It is very helpful if you have identified the species that you are trying to encourage to nest in your yard.

 

Q) Why are bug eating birds so important in the environment?

A) Bug-eaters are our friends. Spraying pesticides in your yard to control bug populations is not a part of the natural cycle of gardening. Encourage a bird friendly yard and the bugs are naturally taken care of by the bug hunting machines (birds).

A few examples

  • A house wren can feed 500 spiders and caterpillars to its nestlings during a single afternoon
  • A chimney swift can devour 1,000 flying insects in a single day
  • A Baltimore Oriole can eat as many as 17 hairy caterpillars in a minute
  • Even the world’s smallest birds – Hummingbirds – are helpers in the garden. They eat beetles, ants, aphids, gnats and mosquitoes.

We enjoy bringing people and nature together. If you have any questions please stop by the store, our Certified Birdfeeding Specialists will be glad to help you.                                                                                             

                                                                                          Diane & Doc Gover

                                                                              Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop