Now through October 31st
A Child’s Definition of Migration!!
Dear Friends of Nature:
As my grandsons and I were traveling into town discussing the V-shaped flock of Canada geese circling the newly cut corn field, six-year old Ayden said quite seriously, "First they eat, then they fly off." In his simple way he had just defined Migration. What came next made my heart melt. "I am going to miss the birds." Wow! Isn't that what we all want to hear from our kids as we try to teach them about our love of nature and especially the birds?
Sometimes when we're in the car we play the game, "What bird would you like to be." This time his answer was "a hawk or a vulture." Why, I asked. "Because I would fly around way up in the sky and I would sleep in our house at night when it got cold!" Well ... another discussion of Migration, and why some birds must leave for warmer climates was in order.
In their own uncomplicated way, children know what it means for birds to survive in our fluctuating climate. When we live by example of feeding the birds, making sure their feeders are clean, and there is water for them to drink, children will grow to appreciate our environment and, hopefully, follow in our footsteps of "creating a refuge in our own backyard."
This month, as we all keep watch for the rare fall warbler or flock of hummingbirds, maybe you're thinking about how you can encourage those fall migrants to stop by your yard for refueling. Now is a good time to increase your offering of suet, or a seed blend with nuts, to allow birds to feed without expending as much energy. You'll also notice many birds doing the "grab and go" thing that they exhibit each fall. It's called "caching", and many of the birds that overwinter here use this tactic to store seeds to find when times are tough.
You, too, can Cash-in on Caching. Offering black oil sunflower seeds, sunflower chips, Bark Butter products, and peanuts (either in the shell or not) will attract birds like Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice and Jays. These birds will hide seeds in many different places - behind tree bark, under shingles or behind wooden siding, in knotholes, clusters of pine needles, gutters or in the ground - usually close by the feeders. But Jays will travel up to a few miles away to bury their nutritious treasures. They are so much fun to watch!
The next time you visit our store let us help you outfit your feeding station to attract the maximum number of birds all the time.
In addition to our sales on Bird Food, APS Pole System, Eco-Tough & EcoClean Feeders, we have some new children's books written by several well-known authors.
So, "Get out, get into nature, and make your own discoveries."
Happy Happy Birding!
Jan and Bob Ross
from all of us at Wild Birds Unlimited
Remember … A High-Protein Diet Will Help All Birds Survive Winter
High Protein = Suet, Peanuts, Cylinders, Seed Blends with Nuts, Nyjer & Bark Butter Products.
All Are ON SALE in October.
Click image above for a printable coupon!
Join us for Double Points Days
October 15, 16 & 17
Join the Daily Savings Club (DSC) any time
to receive 15% off bird food every day
and earn points for Savings Coupons.
October 2026 Specials*
All Bird Food 10% Off
Includes Seed, Suet, Cylinders,
Bark Butter Products, and Mealworms
DSC Members receive 20% off
All Hopper Feeders 20% Off
EcoTough™ & EcoClean™ Feeders 15% Off*
Advanced Pole System 10% Off
Includes Kits, Poles, Arms, Baffles and Accessories
Large 20" Heated Bird Baths $99.99*
*limited to in-stock items only.
In-Stock Small Fountains 15% Off*
*Regularly $129.99. Available only in gray.
Metal Birdbath Stands 10% Off*
All Halloween Art 25% Off*
*Expires October 31st, 2026
50% Off In-ground Yard and Garden Décor*
*While supplies last. All sales final. Some exclusions apply.
T-Shirts 20% Off
*limited to in-stock items only. Excludes Charlie Harper
Click on the Newsletter box below for our October Newsletter!
Visit us soon for other in-store special.
*All Specials are In-Store Only and Expire October 31, 2026
Store Hours
Monday - Saturday 10am-6pm. Closed Sunday
FREE Fall Seminars
Seminars are held at 10:00am on Saturday mornings with a duplicate
at 11:30am if interest is high. All are free and open to the public.
Seminars fill quickly, & space is limited. Please call ahead for a reserved seat, 608-664-1414.
All Seminars are held at Wild Birds Unlimited on Old Sauk Rd.
Birds and Biotechnology
An Ethical Question
Sat. October 10th
Led by Dr. Stanley Temple
International Crane Foundation
Cranes of the World
Sat. October 17th
Led by Jennifer Drayna
Environment for the Americas
World Migratory Bird Day
Sat. October 24th
Led by Alicia Frances King
Tracking Monarch Butterflies
New Technology to Save Them
Sat. November 21st
Led by Emma Raasch
#SavetheSongBirds: Make Windows Safe
Birds collide with windows for many reasons, including panic, territorial chases or mistaking reflections of the sky or foliage for open space. Here are some solutions to help you keep your windows bird-safe.
How to Prevent Window Strikes
- Place bird feeders within 3 feet of windows or more than 10 feet away.
- Installing a window feeder helps birds recognize the glass.
- Hang vertical strips (reflective ribbon or paracord) every 4 inches across the outside of the window.
- Apply bird-safe window films or decals 2-3” apart vertically and horizontally. We have many options in-store.
- Use window screens or exterior netting to cushion impacts.
If You Find an Injured Bird
Wild birds should be cared for by trained professionals. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or the Humane Society.
Go Adventuring
As parents and caregivers we can nurture a child’s bond with the natural world by helping them learn and care about the birds! Here are a few ideas!
- Pick up the Free Nature Passport to visit the sites.
- Help them build a feeder.
- Teach them to fill the feeders.
- Watch for who shows up.
- Sketch the birds you see.
- Identify birds with a field guide.
- Save the data and submit it to eBird.
We have many ideas, books and bird house kits to encourage caring for birds and nature. Stop in soon.
Nature Passport is courtesy of Aldo Leopold Nature Center & sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited, Middleton.
