Here’s a humorous take on the similarities & differences between finches and humans.

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Finches: Several male finches will pursue one female finch

Humans: A woman kisses many frogs before she finds her prince

Finches: Finches nest in June, July and August when plants have produced enough seed to incorporate in nests and feeding their young.

Humans: The most popular wedding months are June July & August

Finches: The female finch makes the nest from strands of weeds, vines, downy filaments and caterpillar webbing.

Humans: Most household decorations & room layouts are decided by women.

Finches: Once the nest is built, both male and female Gold finches leave the area.  This may give the appearance that they have abandoned the nest.  In a few days they both return and the female begins laying eggs.  In some cases this can be 2 weeks after nest completion.

Humans: Newlyweds go away on an average of 7-9 days for their honeymoons.  Some couples like to start a family right away

Finches: The female lays from 3 to 7 light blue eggs which are incubated for 12 to 14 days.  The female may spend ninety five percent of her time incubating the eggs.  The male will feed her during this time allowing her to stay on the nest.

Humans: Most women have one baby at a time incubating them for 9 months.  She will have strange cravings resulting in asking her husband go out and get her food.

To read more about the American Goldfinch and hear its song CLICK HERE.

When we first started to carry the Erva Polling System, we knew you would like it.  Now many of our customers are enjoying them in their own backyards.  If it is time for you to add a new pole or replace an existing one, check out this one.  What makes this system so great?  It is easy to set up, and you can customize your pole with individual components that make the perfect set-up for your situation.

Start with a tubular steel pole. These black powder coat finished poles are available in two lengths: 6 foot & 5 foot.  Secure these poles to a base.  Both the twister and the “cat-tail” ground sockets securely sink these poles into the ground while the patio base allows for easy repositioning on your deck or patio.  Want an even taller pole?  Use a pole extension.  Available in 14″ or 20″ lengths, these extenders are ideal for situations where the pole needs to be just a bit taller.  Next choose your topper.  Whether it’s a 2 hook, 3 hook, 4 hook or mounting flange, we have the topper right for you.  The hook toppers feature a decorative finial cover in the center that can be removed to add multiple units.

Now that you have designed your own pole you can choose to keep it simple or add accessories for further function.  We highly suggest using a baffle.  The wrap around squirrel baffle’s inverted cone shape is effective in making your feeders critter resistant.  Have even bigger problems?  Use the 8″ cylindrical raccoon baffle!  Other accessories include the quick connect coil hanger allowing for an extra hook, the fruit feeder designed to hold four pieces of fruit, or the universal feeder which features a glass dish that is guaranteed not to crack in a freeze and can hold fruit, seed, jelly or mealworms.  However you choose to put your pole together or accessorize it, we’re sure that you will be pleased with the Erva Pole System.  Stop in the store and see one for yourself.

Don’t judge a book by its cover.  I know the name “Critter Snack” may turn some bird lovers off, but there are some great reasons why you should offer this special feed to your backyard visitors.

First, let me tell you about this feed.  Critter Snack contains shelled corn, black oil & striped sunflower seeds, peanut splits and raw peanuts in the shell.  While this mix is designed for squirrel and other wild critters, birds have also been known to pick out their favorites from this feed.  It is available in 50, 25, 10 and 5 pound bags and works well in ground feeders or even just a little pile on your patio.

Now let me tell you why you should be offering this tasty wildlife treat.  Do you have squirrels and other critters getting into your bird feeders?  The reason could be that you’re not offering  feed to these backyard “pests.”  Feeding these critters separately will help to keep them away from your bird feeders, and by offering larger feed like peanuts and corn, they won’t be as quick to gobble up the seed.  One Rock Pile customer says “I was tired of them (squirrels) getting into my bird feeders.  I used to call squirrels ‘rats,’ but after I offered them feed and saw how playful they are, I now enjoy having them in my backyard.  My daughter even teases me because now I call them ‘my babies.’  Who knew a bag of feed could do that?”

Those of you who love feeding critters of all shapes and sizes already know how much fun it can be.  With a variety of munchies, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Deer and other four legged friends are sure to enjoy this snack.  Another customer says “I love using Critter Snack because my family enjoys watching both squirrels and birds.  The squirrels come by and snack on the peanuts and corn while the birds take care of the sunflower seeds.  And the best part of all is what we call ‘cat entertainment.’  Its so fun to see our cats at the window watching all the activity outside.”

Try a bag for yourself and see what everyone is talking about.

Join our birding experts Jamie Haas & Brian See at the Avon Lake Public Library this Tuesday. Learn about different types of birds, what they eat, and how to attract them to your feeding stations. This is a great opportunity to ask all of those bird questions you have just been dying to know answers to . The Avon Lake Garden Club will be there but this seminar is free and open to the public. So bring your friends and neighbors and join us for an interesting and fun evening with other Bird Lovers like you.
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When: Tuesday March 23 @ 7pm!

Where: Avon Lake Public Library -32649 Electric Blvd.

Have you been looking for a simple, no-hassle way to feed your birds that doesn’t leave you broke? Seed cylinders and bells don’t appeal to some people because they seem like they are more for decoration than functional use. Well, if you’ve always wondered if Bird Seed Cylinders could make your life easier, now’s the time to give them a try.

Started on a kitchen counter in 1996, Mr.Bird is now one of the largest seed block and bird seed gift manufacturers in the nation. So, if you’re in the market for a long lasting feeder that minimizes seed that falls to the ground, give Mr. Bird’s Seed Cylinders a try…you won’t be disappointed.

Pecan Feast 18 oz. ~ $4.99; Pecan Feast 32 oz. ~ $7.49; Woodpecker Feast 32 oz. ~ $7.49; Super Sunflower Feast with Perch 14 oz. ~ $5.49; Wild Bird Feast 16 oz. ~ $4.59; Wild Bird Feast 28 oz. ~ $7..29

This month, instead of featuring a feeder, we thought we would shake things up and feature another great birding product.

But wait!  The Birdie Bell can be used as a feeder!  This product is a versatile and easy way to provide just the thing your birds need at the right time of year.

First, this all weather holder can be used for those ever popular seed bells!  Just push the clip on the bottom of the holder to open it and place the bell inside. Seed Bells start at only $2.99!

Second, I know in February it is hard “think spring,” but bare with me.  Spring is nesting time for our feathered friends.  Your backyard birds will be busy selecting a nesting site, collecting nesting materials and building a nest.  Whether you have a bird house or not, nesting material is always in high demand for wild birds. But if you do have a nesting box then make sure you don’t neglect to put out nesting material.  Luckily, the Birdie Bell comes with nesting material… Bonus!

When nesting season is coming to an end and warmer months are bringing back all those fun summer birds, replace the bell’s contents with fruit!  Orange halves and apple slices and even grapes can be placed in the Birdie Bell.  Adding fruit feeders to your backyard can attract many fruit eating birds that may not otherwise come to feeders, like that famous orange bird, the Baltimore Oriole!

What is it? Suet is a high energy bird feed comprised of animal fat and other ingredients to attract insect eating birds.  This special feed is a quick source of heat and energy in the cold winter months.  But don’t be fooled… birds love suet all year-round.  Offering this tasty bird treat in a wire cage or suet log is a low maintenance bird feeding option.  You refill only once every week or so, you don’t need to scrub the feeder, and you can leave it in your yard year round.  Want to try suet without the feeder commitment?  Try our hanging suet & feeder in one!  This Pine Tree Farms suet comes in a container with a net.  Simply remove suet from the tub and place inside the net. Hang outside at least 5 feet off the ground and watch the birds feast!

Presenting suet in your backyard will also attract a greater variety of birds for your enjoyment.  Some of the wild birds that enjoy suet include: Woodpeckers, Chickadees, Bluebirds, Mockingbirds, Warblers, Titmice, Nuthatches, Jays, Robins and Wrens.  Some of these birds won’t visit seed feeders, so this is a great way of attracting different birds to your back yard.  The birds that visit your suet feeder will also reward you in the spring and summer months by eating the insects in your garden.

Suet Special: Buy 12 and save $6.00!  Mix or Match!

Choose from Berry Treat, Nutty Treat or Seed Treat!