LUV WILDBIRDS

A Soldier Makes a Difference James Nichols has served two tours in Iraq. When interviewing James about his experiences in Iraq. It was interesting to learn that the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq have more than one enemy to contend with. Of course there is your traditional enemy, the one that is shooting at you or trying to blow your vehicle up along with you. There’s also another enemy, the troops are surrounded by and have to contend with every day. It’s the blowing sand, it’s everywhere. This enemy doesn’t carry a gun, but is just as dangerous. Just a few grains of sand can jam your rifle and leave you defenseless. James knew there had to be a better way to keep the harmful elements out of his and his buddy’s rifles. Napkins and rags stuffed in the magazine well were far from the solution. With a dream, lot of work, and loss of sleep the BATWING-16 became a reality. The BATWING-16 works on both the M-16 and AR-15 rifles. James and his wife Mindy along with their brother and sister in-laws are working diligently for another reality, that all the troops in harm’s way has a BATWING-16 for their protection against the elements. There’s a lot of work bringing the new product to market. Engineering, Patent Applications, Packaging, Finding a Manufacture and of course Marketing. James, full time occupation is police chief in the town of Butler Indiana. They have been marketing BATWING-16 at gun shows and on ebay, and are diligently working to establish distributors and trying to establish themselves with the different military branches. For more information; [email protected]

Nestboxes With natural nesting sites in decline, putting a nest box in your backyard can be an easy way to help birds during the breeding season. We have found that the earlier in the year the nest box is in position, the higher the chance that it will be occupied in the Spring. As well as being beneficial for your backyard birds, there is also an added entertainment bonus. Forget the TV, putting up nest boxes guarantees a daily soap opera in your own backyard. Birds displaying for a mate, parents frantically scouring for food to feed hungry mouths and, finally, young fledglings taking their first flight. Enjoy the show!! Siting your nest box The best height for your nest box is widely accepted as being between 1.5m and 5.5m high (5ft - 18ft). However, if your area has a particularly high cat population site your box even higher. If you only have an exposed site to offer, face the box somewhere between north through east to southeast, avoiding prevailing winds and strong sunlight. If siting in woodland, the dry side of the tree trunk offers the most protection.

Bats It is unclear why many people fear bats as they are actually harmless creatures that play a vital role in natures balance, they are the primary predators of night flying insects and are essential in controlling insect populations. There are over 40 species of bat in the USA and Canada but some species are declining at an alarming rate. This is due mainly to loss of habitat due to the development of their natural roosting sites. If you live in an area occupied by bats, putting up one of our bat boxes can help preserve their numbers. The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is one the most common and widespread species in the U.S, and the one which you are most likely toc ome in contact with. They have adapted to using man made nesting boxes to roost and are highly efficient insect eaters, a colony of just 150 of these bats can eat enough cucumber beetles each summer to protect local farmers from 33 million of these beetles’ root worm larvae that attack corn.

I have just bought a bird feeder, where would be the best place to put it? Birds need to feel safe when feeding. Locate your feeder so as to give all-round vision to its visitors, and ideally not more than 6 feet from convenient cover such as trees or shrubs. If you are replacing an old feeder, leave it in place until the birds become accustomed to the new one. And remember, it can sometimes take several weeks for birds to have the confidence to start visiting a new feeder, but be careful not to let the food go stale. Most common garden birds are fundamentally woodland species, and they do not like straying too far from cover. If the birds feel that they can quickly escape into surrounding vegetation in the event of a predator appearing they are much more likely to use the feeder. Where cats are a problem, the ideal location will avoid low-lying cover below the feeder where ground feeding birds may well forage on spilt seed, as this reduces the chances of an ambush. There are people who successfully use window feeders on the upper stories of apartment buildings in urban areas, but as a general rule, mature gardens with lots of cover will attract more birds than gardens on new developments with minimal cover. A useful tip in gardens suffering from a shortage of cover is to plant one or more Butterfly Bushes (Buddleia davidii) or other plants which should provide

I'm new to bird feeding - what do I need to know? 1) The range of birds that visit your garden can be influenced by the way that you provide food. For instance shy species such as Cardinal and Blackbird will be more comfortable on the ground near to cover, while more agile species like Chickadee and Goldfinch are happy with hanging feeders. 2) Most birds will eat peanuts or seeds, but research shows that seeds are much more popular and attract a greater variety of species. 3) You get what you pay for with wild bird food. Cheap mixes that contain ingredients such as lentils or split peas will never attract the same variety of species as mixes with quality ingredients such as sunflower hearts, and often the cheap ingredients are simply ignored 4) Think like a bird! Site feeding areas close to cover to protect against hawk attack, but beware of low cover that may shelter a cat intent on ambush 5) Keep feeders and feeding areas clean. 6) Birds are naturally cautious creatures. It may take some time for them to feel comfortable with a new feeder, particularly if you are feeding for the first time. A useful tip is to site new feeders in or close to cover until the birds get used to them, when they can then gradually be moved into a position that gives you a good view from the house. 7) We believe that all birds deserve to be fed, but we provide a range of products that will help you to feed selectively if you choose. Don’t forget that Starlings and Blue Jays need food and nest sites too! 8) The birds may rely on you, so be reliable – don’t let the feeders run empty 9) Provide a constant supply of clean, fresh water, particularly when it’s icy 10) Store your food in cool dry conditions and don’t keep for more than three months 11) We advocate feeding all year round, but avoid having whole peanuts available other than in wire mesh containers during the breeding season. If you don’t use peanuts regularly at least consider offering live foods during the breeding season and fat products during the winter 12) Never use red net bags or fat balls encased in netting – Starlings and some other species such as woodpeckers can get their tongues entangled in this material 13) Where practical provide a range of nesting sites. Use nestboxes for "hole" nesting species and try to garden in a way that helps species that nest in trees and shrubs 14) Site nestboxes so that they are protected from the elements (usually facing south-east, through east, to north), and clean them twice a year, in October and late February. 15) Garden with nature. Include plants that encourage insects, provide nest sites or berries. Try to include some native species as these tend to have more insects associated with them 16) If you are new to garden feeding and occasionally see squirrels in your garden, it is advisable to assume that they will be destructive and therefore choose metal feeders. We have had reports of plastic feeders being destroyed within minutes! 17) Make your garden visitors count by joining Cornell Project Feederwatch , Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and EBird and other similar projects

How can I keep my garden birds happy and healthy? We all enjoy feeding the wild birds in our gardens, but it is important to follow a few simple hygiene procedures to ensure that your garden is a safe place for them. Outbreaks of diseases such as Salmonella and E.coli are a constant threat and can quickly spread from infected birds to healthy birds sharing the same feeding areas. These guidelines should ensure that your garden visitors remain both happy and healthy. • Feeders, bird tables and particularly seed trays should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis as most diseases are transmitted via infected droppings. If an infection occurs, disinfect regularly. • Regularly clean up areas underneath feeders, particularly when black sunflower seeds are being fed as the husks can pile up. • Clean up any uneaten or mouldy food and dispose of it. Always use high quality foods to minimise waste. Make sure that food is not left out on the ground at night as rats and mice can be attracted. Rats will generally live under compost heaps, garden sheds or in areas where rubbish has been allowed to build up. If you have rats, clearing away any rubbish, (thus removing their source of food) often solves the problem

What about hygiene, how do I clean my feeders? Feeders, bird tables and particularly seed trays should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis as most diseases are transmitted via infected droppings. If an infection occurs, disinfect regularly. Regularly clean up areas underneath feeders, particularly when black sunflower seeds are being fed as the husks can pile up. Clean up any uneaten or moldy food and dispose of it. Always use high quality foods to minimize waste. Make sure that food is not left out on the ground at night as rats and mice and other animals can be attracted. Rats will generally live under compost heaps, garden sheds or in areas where rubbish has been allowed to build up. If you have rats, clearing away any rubbish, (thus removing their source of food) often solves the problem. Move bird tables and feeders around the garden or, if possible, have several different feeding sites within the garden and keep them spread out to avoid having large numbers of birds in one location at the same time. Keep surfaces on which birds feed clean. Sweep bird tables daily and regularly provide ground-fed foods in a different place. Observe strict personal hygiene when handling bird feeders and tables, particularly if infection has occurred. Some bird diseases can be transmitted to humans so we recommend you wear gloves when cleaning and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Feeders should not be cleaned indoors or near food preparation areas. If water is provided in birdbaths or other drinking devices, change it regularly. Disinfect and rinse these containers on a regular basis and de-ice during cold weather. Don't be tempted to use anti-freeze, salt or glycerin as it can be harmful to the birds

"For starters, I have owned my Holland Companion for 2 years. If you are unfamiliar with this model, you can find it on the website. This model is a small, compact, transportable, 100% stainless steel grill. I'd like to list some pros & cons about this particular model. PROS: 100% stainless steel - nothing to rust out or burn up. Build quality is excellent. Appearance says quality and performance Cleanup is easy - I scrape the cooking grate and drip pan with a paint scraper and once a year use oven cleaner for a more thorough cleaning. The grill has never flared up while cooking. The grill has always started up after lighting. The drip pan captures all the juices so the foods are bathed in all the good stuff! The meats are always juicy - provided you don't over cook them. I never baby sit the grill. It knows what to do. Just turn the foods once over. It has replaced my oven, which I never use. It's compact and therefore transportable. If space is a premium, this grill is for you. If you don't need or want a huge family sized grill, this is for you. If you want to take you grill to a campsite or event, this grill is for you. I converted my grill with an adaptor allowing the use of a regular sized propane cylinder for economy, but can still use the small camp stove propane bottles. Considering its compact size, I'm always surprised at the amount of food I can actually grill. It has collapsible legs for support that conveniently fold under and out of the way. My grill is set up on a table at just the right height so when cooking, it has the feel of a regular sized grill. The propane cylinder is under the table and the whole unit is streamlined and compact. My grill looks and performs as new after two years of constant use. I grill 2 times per week on average. CONS: If you want to sear your food, this will not work for you. Remember, it's designed to cook at lower temperatures so you don't have to baby sit the food. The flames do not "lick" at the food. If you have a large family or grill for many guests, this may not be the best model. Then again, this is a compact grill. It will be a great alternative for that time when you only need a small grill on the go. As you can see, my list of pros vs cons list is hugely stacked in favor of the Holland Companion grill. But, don't just take my word for it. Give it a try and see for yourself. If I could tell you one thing about this grill that is most satisfying as a consumer it would be that this grill actually does exactly what the manufacturer claimed it would do. If I had to suddenly vacate my home and take only 10 things, my Holland Grill would one of them! I hope this review has been helpful." — Michael Grubbs

Pensacola, FL "Dear Sirs: I wanted to write this letter to tell you that this is the fifth Holland grill that we have purchased. Our first grill was bought 20 years ago when we built our house. I am 68 years old and I absolutely "love" this grill. I can cook on this grill without any watching or worrying about it flaming up. The food I cook is wonderful and I recommend this grill to all my friends. We have three children and I bought a grill for each of them when they married and I am purchasing this one for our lake house in Alabama. During hurricane Ivan, all my neighbors brought over food that was thawing in their freezers and we cooked a combination of chicken, pork chops, hamburgers on my grill and all of it was wonderful. My neighbors were so impressed how well everything cooked on my grill. We are very southern cooks, so I even made corn bread on my grill. I just wanted to tell you what a great product this is and how much I enjoy my grill. If you ever need a recommendation for anyone, tell them to call me and I can sure tell them how great this grill is. This new grill has automatic igniter and my old one has the self-light that I don't have a bit of trouble lighting. My old grill is still cooking strong and we only replaced the drip pan in 20 years. Thank you for making this great grill. --Ray & Carolyn, Pensacola, FL."

Yes It's Safe to Eat the Chicken The microwave oven presented an answer to the question: can people enjoy a quick, hot meal in about four minutes without a lot of effort? The answer, as we all know, is yes. It is not uncommon to find a microwave oven in every home. There are times when a great tool, device or invention comes along and provides an answer, before a question is asked. There is a new kitchen appliance called CulinaryPrep™ that answers another question: Is it possible to eliminate the threat of E.coli and other food-borne bacteria as well as enhance the quality and taste of the food that you serve your family? The answer is yes. One day this appliance may be in every home and as indispensable as the microwave oven. I like to buy mixed greens in a bag to have on hand to make my favorite chicken salad dinner complete with nuts, cranberries and the works. However, every time I open a bag of salad or put the chicken breast on the kitchen grill, I wonder if it’s safe to eat. I go through the normal process of rinsing my already three time rinsed salad, I also rinse the chicken breast. I do this to provide a safe bacteria-free meal, however, I can’t help recalling a documentary about a family who took the same precautions, yet found themselves in crises, as they were devastated by the E.coli bacteria. While I don’t live with a tormenting fear of food poisoning or food related illness, I think about it and I’m concerned. Creative Culinary Marketing Solutions has introduced CulinaryPrep™ a revolutionary appliance that’s positioned to positively impact the way food is prepared by eliminating 99.5% of the bacteria from meat and produce. This means that you can have greater confidence that the food that is served to your family and loved ones is free from illness inducing bacteria. The process is simple. A kitchen appliance that takes up less space than a microwave oven is used to “tumble” food to purity using a simple natural marinade and a high powered vacuum system. The CulinaryPrep™ appliance can give you peace of mind and help you live the healthy lifestyle that you want to live without worry or fear. This is particularly good news for those who struggle with challenged immune systems due to illness or allergies, for these one incident of food poisoning could be detrimental. CulinaryPrep™ uses a patented Grovac™ process to removeunwanted bacteria and food borne pathogens from meat,fish, and produce. I’ve been told that I will become a catfishlover again after having fish processed with the CulinaryPrep™ system! This system has been tested and refined commercially, however it was not available for use in the home kitchen until now. The CulinaryPrep™ appliance has far reaching possibilities. In addition to decreasing the likelihood of E.coli bacteria and food poisoning, the process helps food and produce retain freshness for a longer period of time after refrigeration. There was a time when the microwave oven was a luxury item, now it has become a necessary part of everyday life. Perhaps those skilled in kitchen design should begin plans now for that little space in every kitchen where the CulinaryPrep™ appliance is placed and used as the first step in safely preparing meat and produce. Perhaps this little machine will once and for all put an end to any questions of food-borne bacteria, and lead us to better health and quality of life.