On nearly every retailer visit I make, I check to see if the
store has a wild-bird display. Quite a few garden centers have outstanding
departments with respectable selections of wild bird foods, nectars, suet and
appropriate feeders. Since the big-box explosion of home-improvement stores,
many independent garden centers have removed the birding category due to declining
sales or uncertainty on how to compete. Some retailers explain that they have
difficulty in keeping critters from eating more bird seed than is sold to
customers. If any of these challenges hit close to home for you, try rethinking
your approach: A new look in this category could generate new interest and new sales
this spring.
Universal Appeal
Universal Appeal
Data from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which
protects our great outdoors, supports the expanding world of birding. It’s the
fastest growing outdoor activity nationwide with more than 55 million people
getting involved at every level, from novice to expert.
It’s easy to understand the universal appeal: Birding is accessible everywhere in the country. Spotting and identifying birds is fascinating for all age groups. The price of admission is negligible; all that’s needed is a good pair of binoculars and possibly a wild-bird reference book to get started.
Here are a few websites to consider sharing with your customers:
www.audubon.org
www.allaboutbirds.org It’s easy to understand the universal appeal: Birding is accessible everywhere in the country. Spotting and identifying birds is fascinating for all age groups. The price of admission is negligible; all that’s needed is a good pair of binoculars and possibly a wild-bird reference book to get started.
Here are a few websites to consider sharing with your customers:
www.audubon.org
Unusual Sightings
Television stations were intrigued by sightings of the snowy
owl this winter along the Atlantic coastline, as far south as Delaware. This
unusual occurrence of this arctic species raised awareness and drew travelers
to see these magnificent creatures up close. The boardwalk in Atlantic City,
N.J., provided a cameo appearance on a casino awning for days, to the delight
of many.
Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about the snowy owl’s appearance. Airport personnel keep a watchful eye on these birds that find the airfields’ open spaces to be similar to their arctic habitat, with wide-open fields and easy-to-see movement of food sources from a distance. Unfortunately, such conditions also make these owls prone to being shot, killed or captured.
Ornithologists researching the science behind migration patterns are also studying the impact of hurricanes on bird populations and their relocation. This past summer season was a busy one for hurricanes, but it hasn’t stopped “birders” across the country from counting bird species in Houston, Tex., and up the Carolinas’ coastline.
Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about the snowy owl’s appearance. Airport personnel keep a watchful eye on these birds that find the airfields’ open spaces to be similar to their arctic habitat, with wide-open fields and easy-to-see movement of food sources from a distance. Unfortunately, such conditions also make these owls prone to being shot, killed or captured.
Ornithologists researching the science behind migration patterns are also studying the impact of hurricanes on bird populations and their relocation. This past summer season was a busy one for hurricanes, but it hasn’t stopped “birders” across the country from counting bird species in Houston, Tex., and up the Carolinas’ coastline.
Enjoying Sales without the Mess
Drawing unique birds into your garden doesn’t have to require bird seed. Some spectacular species are just looking for a food source to attract them to your home. Hummingbirds, for example, are amazing creatures and their annual migratory journey will be starting soon.
Garden centers are finding that the newest glass hummingbird
feeders are as beautiful as they are functional. Easy to fill and clean, these
feeders are driving new sales opportunities everywhere. Feeder manufacturers
like Perky Pet and Classic continue to be sold in retail stores of all sizes,
but you do have a choice. Aspect Feeders are U.S.A.-manufactured in Rhode
Island and not sold in the box stores. These high-quality, lifetime-guaranteed
feeders are easy to clean and reassemble.
A Bird of a Different Color
If you live east of the Rocky Mountains, the Baltimore
oriole is one of the more colorful and interesting songbirds in America. It’s
easily drawn to fruit-bearing plants and enjoys an occasional sip of nectar
from the hummingbird feeder. The male oriole has a black head and sports a
bright orange crest and underside with a white stripe through its black wings. The
female has a duller brown crest. Many homeowners suspend fruit like an orange
on a string to entice this little bird with its unmistakable soundtrack.A Bird of a Different Color
The month of March is the proper time to begin bird house installations around the yard and garden. Orioles prefer tall deciduous trees to make their nests using string or thin vines. As you plan and prepare to help your customers attract spring songbirds, make sure you’re well stocked with these three things: food, water and protection! These are the keys to birding success at home and, wherever they’re present, the chirping sounds of spring won’t be far behind.
