Big Bear Today Magazine September 2020

Big Bear Today September 2020—Page 11
Support birds with houses, feeders
Along-term study released earlier
this year and based on decades of
research revealed that the world’s
population of birds has decreased by over
three million in the last half-century.
That’s a deline of some 30%. “People
are worried about what it means,” said
Randall Putz of Chirp Nature Center in the
Village. “Birds are the canary in the coal
mine so to speak—as birds go, we go.
People are recognizing that we need to pay
attention and support birds.”
During the pandemic people have
definitely been paying attention, with more
time at home to look out windows and see
the wonders of nature. “More people watch
birds than NASCAR,” Putz said. “It’s the
second most popular hobby after gardening.
Birds provide enjoyment and beauty.”
Birding takes flight for enthusiasts of
all levels at Chirp Nature Center in the Village,
just east of the Christmas Tree Lot.
There’s feeders, houses, baths, binoculars,
books, seed, scarves and birds-eye cam
views of nests around the country.
Everything new and old birders alike
need to give our feathered friends a helping
hand—er, wing. “Feeding and providing
housing for birds is the least we can
do,” Putz said. “Estimates are that almost
half of all households feed birds.”
Chirp also plants the seed for birding
by hosting monthly walks and talks, in person
and online (story page 10). Just as important,
Chirp offers solutions as well as
product. When nuthatches were pounding
the sides of a house, alternative housing
distracted the birds.
“On our first live walk of the season
in July we had a whole family of mountain
quail pass right in front of us,” Putz
said. “Another time a redheaded sapsucker
looked like he was posing just for us.” He
added that recently he spotted a Clark’s
nutcracker, “always a thrill.”
When it comes to promoting birds Big
Bear has plenty to work with. Well over
200 different types of birds can be found
here, obviously the well-publicized bald
eagles but also tanagers, finches and even
orioles among many others. Chirp has free
checklists birders can use to identify up to
248 different Big Bear birds.
“Big Bear is along the Pacific Flyway
and at altitude so lots of birds migrate
through here,” Putz said. “Bluff Lake has
the widest variety of birds in the Valley.”
Williamson’s sapsucker is one of several
species in the area that entice birders.
When you can’t go to them use bathes
and houses to bring the birds to you, and
Chirp has plenty to choose from. Some
feeders mount on windows to allow for up
close viewing from inside the house. Others
have a cage built around them to let
only song birds in and keep pigeons and
squirrels out. Still others are bear-proof.
Bluebird houses are popular and
there’s also homes for kestrels and screech
owls. Along with squirrel feeders that let
the fuzzy friends perform aerobatics that
are fun to watch. Birdhouses covered in
Feeders in all shapes, sizes and prices, birdhouses and more at Chirp Nature Center
seed are an easy way to get into feeding;
as birds eat seed you’re left with the house.
Feeders and bathes made of recycled
water bottles can stand up to Big Bear’s
intense sun, rain and snow. “They’re guaranteed
to never crack, split, fade or peel,”
Putz said. “Bird bathes are just as important
as feeders since they need the water in
our dry climate. We even have heated baths
that won’t ice over in winter.”
Chirp has the seed that goes into the
feeders including it’s own custom Big Bear
mix. “It has lots of black oil sunflowers,”
Putz said. “Western and more rare mountain
bluebirds especially like meal worms.”
Join Chirp’s seed club to save up to
20% on all food purchases. Buy seed by
the bucket with lid that safely stores it and
when it’s empty just return to get a full
bucket, thus eliminating the plastic bag.
Gift items are also available at Chirp,
from custom design T-shirts and stickers
to puzzles, games and art. Plates, mugs,
door knockers, toys, calls and more are
found, all dedicated to birds.
The store makes bird watching easy
by streaming 30 live nest cams on four
screens. The images continuously rotate
and feature a variety of locations including
Big Bear’s own bald eagle nest.
Chirp is open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Chirp Nature Center is at 40850 Village
Dr. (888) 412-4477.