MOANA NURSERY NEWS RELEASE
In 1993, Congress proclaimed February to be National Bird Feeding Month. More than 53 million North Americans currently participate in the hobby of backyard bird feeding, and this month offers a variety of activities for them to enjoy, including the Great Backyard Bird Count.
The Great Backyard Bird Count, a joint project between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Bird Studies Canada and the National Audubon Society, takes place February 17 – 20. Individuals, families, schools and organizations are invited to count birds at bird feeders and in backyards, local parks or other locations. Those tallies are then reported online through the BirdSource Web site. These data help define bird ranges, populations, migration pathways and habitat needs.
“The count is fun, easy and educational,” said Jacque Lowery, manager of Moana Nursery’s Wild Birds Unlimited stores. “It’s also a terrific way for Cornell, Bird Studies Canada and Audubon to learn more about the abundance and distribution of bird species.”
The average backyard is visited regularly by 15 or more bird species. People can increase the variety of birds that visit their backyards by providing the appropriate food in the right location. There are two common backyard bird feeding categories: ground-feeding and elevated feeding. For example, goldfinches prefer to eat Nyjer® (thistle seed) from a tube feeder, whereas doves generally eat millet on the ground.
For more information about the Great Backyard Bird Count or other ways to celebrate National Bird Feeding Month, visit Wild Birds Unlimited, located inside all three Moana Nursery locations in Reno and Sparks (1100 W. Moana Ln., 11301 S. Virginia St. and 7655 Pyramid Hwy.), part of the original and largest franchise system of backyard bird feeding and nature specialty stores with more than 275 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Visit www.reno.wbu.com for more information.
