Nuthatch is a term applied to 23 species of birds around the world. In the St. Louis region, backyard birders most often use nuthatch when referring to the White-breasted Nuthatch. Living in the midwest through four seasons of the year, these small birds distinguish themselves from others with their ability to walk head-first down the trunks of trees. Other species of birds are able to walk on tree trunks, but only in the upward direction.

Despite inclusion of "nut" in their names, nuthatches are omnivorous, eating both insects and plant materials. During the winter months nuthatches depend on oily seeds and nuts for energy to stay warm, and their eating behavior at this time of the year is responsible for their name. Nuthatches take seeds and nuts and place them into crevices in the bark of trees, and then hammer the shells open with their beaks--hatch means to hack, as in hatchet.

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• US Geological Society
• Wikipedia
• e-nature.com
• whatbird.com
• wild-bird-watching.com

New Products and Special Savings in July!
10% off to e-Newsletter Customers Only! These savings are one-time only, and cannot be applied to previous purchases. You must mention this offer to receive the discount.

• Character salt and pepper shakers--These sets are adorable for table use, gift-giving, or collecting. They come in various dog breeds and other animals. You have to see them to appreciate them.
• Wild Bird Center Suet--We have reformulated all of our private label suets. There are many varieties to choose from including insect, berry, and hot pepper. They no longer are enclosed in a hard plastic tray. Just tear off the top of the package and drop it into your feeder. You will never have to touch the suet again – makes feeding easy, fast, and clean.
• Endangered Species Chocolate Bars--What a great way to feel good about indulging in great chocolate. Not only is the product great quality - high cocoa content, shade-grown cocoa beans, and great varieties to choose from - but every purchase you make contributes to habitat restoration for endangered species across the globe. So, savor the chocolate and help save our species.
• Pet Bicycle Baskets--Does your pet want to go everywhere with you? Why not attach one of our bicycle baskets to your two-wheeled transportation and go for a leisurely ride with your best friend. What a way to travel!

Free Delivery--Not everyone enjoys getting out to run errands. If you would like to have your seed delivered to your home, give us a call. We'd be happy to help!

Do you want to enhance your backyard birding experience and also help neighborhood wildlife? Our birding and habitat authority will visit your yard and assist you with planning and selecting the elements to enhance your backyard birding experience. Shortly after the visit, the Wild Bird Center will provide a complete plan for placement of feeders, baths, and other features to enhance your enjoyment. Consultation fee is $15. Call the store and make an appointment: 314-842-1496.

Want to attract more birds to your yard? Have a birding question? Visit Birding Tips on the Wild Bird Center site and Ask Denise.

Many animal species are suffering as a result of the BP Gulf Oil Spill. Birds that inhabit the shore are coated in oil, and still unknown is the effect of the oil on the millions birds that migrate through the spill region every fall. See some of the bird victims caught in the oil, and consider ways you can help. A list of information and assistance organizations is found on the web site of the St. Louis Audubon Society.

The July Products of the Month are our shepherd's hook poles. These are high quality, US-made wrought iron poles that are an ideal height and strength for hanging feeders. They come in both single and double hooks. Save an amazing 20% on any pole during the month of July. This is our best price on poles so take advantage of this great offer to replace your old poles or add a new feeder. Sorry, offer not good on previous purchases.

Print and bring a copy of this newsletter to the store to use as your coupon.

The answer to the April Species Quiz (left picture) is the Chimney Swift. What is the species in the picture on the right? Answer in the August e-Newsletter.

July Birding News.

Birds to look for in July include Cardinals, Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Eastern Towhees, Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, American Goldfinches, and Blue Jays. Be sure to ask our advice on how to attract these and other species during July.

Best Seeds to feed in July: A good summer mix will have Black Oil Sunflower as the number one ingredient. A good rule of thumb is If you live in a wooded area, add more sunflower. A li60% sunflower.ttle millet and a little safflower in the mix will increase your variety. Summertime is the time when many of us are concerned about the appearance of our lawn, so if shells are a problem, think about trying one of our hulled mixes. With no shells to fall on the ground, every bit of the food is eaten and nothing will spoil the look of the grass or flowers underneath. Shelled peanuts will continue to be attractive, especially to the woodpeckers who are still feeding their young.

Goldfinches are our latest nesters, so as they become busier with building nests and sitting on their eggs, they may spend less time foraging for food. You may notice more activity at your feeders. Be sure to offer fresh Nyjer seed to them. The hot temperatures will quickly dry out a high-oil seed like Nyjer. Fill your feeders only as much as will be eaten in a couple of weeks, so that you can continue to offer fresh seed throughout the summer months. Once their babies fledge from the nest, they will be plentiful at most feeders.

Continue to offer suet (make sure to use the no-melt varieties) so that you can see the young woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees as their parents lead them to this high-calorie, high-energy food. If you have mockingbirds, bluebirds, or wrens nesting nearby, consider offering mealworms to give them a real treat. Many birds will become so used to receiving the mealworms that you will find them waiting for you at the same time every day.

What’s Nesting in July? Bluebirds, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmice, Wrens, and Goldfinches

This Month’s Hint – Water. Let's face it. In St. Louis, July can be very hot. Birds need a place to drink and to cool off by bathing in fresh water. Even if you already live near a river, lake, or pond, you can dramatically increase the diversity of birds in your yard by offering water in a bird bath or fountain. Moving water is especially attractive to birds, so consider adding a dripper or mister to your existing bath. Just moving the water with a Water Wiggler has been shown to attract many new species. If it's a fountain you are looking for, we have a great selection. Just plug them in, and the water recirculates, adding the wonderful sound of water to any setting.

Special Tips: Put out extra hummingbird feeders this month. Once the babies fledge from their nests (around mid to late July), hummingbirds will be plentiful again and will eat much more nectar as they try to fatten up for their long journey south.

The Birding Number of the Month. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA, there have been 1789 birds killed by the BP Gulf Oil Spill. A detailed accounting of birds, sea turtles, and mammals can be found at deepwaterresponse.com, and a summary page at dailydeadbirds.com.

July Birding Question:
What are those little moths I see flying around my seed?
Answer: Those small moths are called Indian Meal Moths and the tiny larvae are found in all grain products, including bird seed. When the grains are kept in a warm and humid environment (think St. Louis in the summer), the larvae will grow rapidly and hatch into the moth. You may notice the small moths flying around the storage place of the seed. First of all, understand that a few of the moths are not harmful to the seed. The birds will eat the insects as well as the seed. The detrimental effects of the moth is really its effect on us. We don’t want these moths in our houses, because they are hard to remove. Therefore, the first rule is never store seed in your home. If you already have moths in your home, come in and talk with one of our expert staff. We can give you some pointers on how to remove them. Store seed outdoors in a sturdy (metal) container that can resist being opened by squirrels or raccoons. Make sure you use all of the old seed before you add new seed. This will prevent seed from sitting on the bottom for long periods of time. Finally, buy only enough seed that you can use within a couple of months. Do not plan to store seed for six months or more – you will not only end up with moths, but with poor quality, dried out seed.