The Importance of Water in Your Backyard
What Makes a Good Birdbath?
An old rule of thumb says: Add water and double the variety of birds in your yard. Make that water move and double it again. Adding a Water Wiggler, Mister or small Fountain turns any bath into a bird magnet. Look for our solar fountains.
Like all animals, birds need a dependable supply of fresh water to survive. Although they can extract some moisture from food like insects and fruit, birds need to drink water every day. Birds also use water for bathing, to clean feathers and remove parasites.
A good birdbath will welcome a wider variety of birds than providing food alone. Experts recommend no more than two inches deep for a bird-friendly birdbath. Check out our in-store variety.
Also, remember to place your bath where you’ll have a good view of the birds, and close to a safe resting spot where they can hide & preen their wet feathers to dry off - like a bush or small tree.
Dear Friends of Nature:
This summer, parents across the country will spend countless hours with their children taking them to places they’ve never seen before. Where are these exotic destinations?
They can be at feeders in back yards just like yours. This is the time of year when fledglings leave the nest and are taught to eat from feeders by their parents. It’s a fascinating interaction you don’t want to miss. Here are a couple of ways to make your back yard “bird-family-friendly.”
Nesting is in full swing early in the month. As the days go by, more and more young birds make appearances at your feeders harassing their parents for an easy meal. Pick up some Baby Bird Food to help this transition period by continuing to offer high-protein foods such as mealworms, peanuts and suet.
These energy-packed foods will entice your birds and their young back to your feeders time and time again. There the young birds will then learn where your feeders are and begin to make return trips on their own.
Stop by the store this month to let us help you “Create a Refuge in Your Own Backyard.” We have great Father’s Day gifts and ways to make your yard a family getaway. When you decide to bird watch elsewhere, remember to take your Nature Passport to visit the 20 nature areas in southern Wisconsin. Find your free WBU Hobby Guide and Nature Passport in the store or in the box outside our front door. It’s behind the bench.
Happy Summer & Happy Birding!
Jan and Bob Ross
from all of us at Wild Birds Unlimited
Sign Up for our WBU Summer Seminar
Call ahead 608-664-1414 to reserve your seat.
All seminars are FREE and held at our WBU store.
Let's Talk Squirrels
Sat. June 28th, 10 am
Led by WBU Staff
This is a talk back seminar. Come with your stories!
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Can You Name All Of These Beauties?
Click here to reveal the answers!
From left to right...
Top row: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole
Middle row: American Goldfinch, American Redstart, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Bottom row: Eastern Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Scarlet Tanager
June 16-22 is National Pollinator Week.
Plant Native Flowers to Encourage Visitors
Double Points Days:
Join us for Double Points Days June 19 - 21
Join the Daily Savings Club (DSC) any time
to receive 15% off bird food every day
and earn points for Savings Coupons.
June 2025 Specials*
Bird Food Specials
10% off All No-Mess Blends:
No-Mess CC, Medium Sunflower Chips,
White Deluxe Plus* and No-Mess NM CD*
*with Calcium for moms and baby birds
All are available in 20#, 10# and 5# sizes
During Bird Food Sales, DSC Members receive 20% off
bird food products.
Seed Cylinders 15% Off*
Includes Seedy Characters
*while supplies last
Seed Cylinder Feeders 15% Off*
*while supplies last
Outdoor Spinners & Garden Items 10% Off*
*Limited to in-stock items only
Tilley, Wallaroo Hats and T-Shirts 10% Off*
*Limited to in-stock items only
Click image above for a printable coupon!
Click on the Newsletter box below for our June Newsletter!
Visit us soon for other in-store special.
*All Specials are In-Store Only and Expire June 30, 2025
Nature Scavenger Hunt
For Adults & Kids
Sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited, Middleton, the Nature Passport focuses on birds with the help of Cornell’s All About Birds app*. Pick up one at our store soon.
Thanks to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for developing this creative nature guide for families. Available in English and Spanish.
*Used with permission.
Video: Wild Birds Unlimited - Eliminator™ Squirrel-Proof Feeder
Protecting your bird seed bounty from squirrels is easy with our Eliminator™ bird feeder.
Watch a video with this feeder in action on YouTube.
Hummingbirds and Orioles Are Back!
Ruby-throated hummingbird and Baltimore orioles have both been seen in the area, so get those feeders out now!
What are their favorite foods?
- Hummingbirds love nectar feeders. Dissolve ¼ cup of table sugar in 1 cup of warm or hot water; cool and fill the feeder. No food coloring, please! Be patient and keep the foods fresh, replacing them every few days and be sure to keep your feeders clean, too.
- Orioles can be attracted to the same nectar mix in special nectar feeders designed for orioles. They also enjoy orange slices and grape jelly offered in dedicated oriole feeders that can hold a whole oriole buffet. Mealworms are on the menu as well!
