- From now until the fall harvest (when the seed from trees, bushes and plants are mature), wild birds have the least amount of natural food available than any other time of the year.  This is particularly important when we have warm winters which, one may assume, depletes more natural seed than usual.  So, be sure to monitor your feeders carefully and keep plenty of fresh seed available.  You will likely draw more birds to enjoy during the cooler fall months.

- Have you seen any "Black-headed Cardinals" recently?  Actually, there is no such bird, but rather you are likely observing a Northern Cardinal with feather mites.  The bird often preens its feathers to eliminate the mites; however, in areas such as the head, it often will scratch.  The result, sometimes is the loss of feathers.  Usually the feathers return and no permanent damage is done.

- Many people in the Midwest are seeing large flocks of European Starlings take over their birdfeeders and threaten smaller songbirds out. There is no surefire way to prevent this from happening, but fortunately, these birds move on to other locations. We have found that if you feed only Safflower seed and nothing else, you have a reasonable chance of discouraging these birds from remaining at your feeders.