Big Bear Today Magazine November 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 12—November 2020Support birds with houses, feedersBig Bear TodayAlong-term study released earlierthis year and based on decades ofresearch revealed that the world’spopulation of birds has decreased by overthree million in the last half-century.That’s a decline of some 30%. “Peopleare worried about what it means,” saidRandall Putz of Chirp Nature Center in theVillage. “Birds are the canary in the coalmine so to speak—as birds go, we go.People are recognizing that we need to payattention and support birds.” Western wildfireshave also afffected bird populations.During the pandemic people havedefinitely been paying attention, with moretime at home to look out windows and seethe wonders of nature. “More people watchbirds than NASCAR,” Putz said. “It’s thesecond most popular hobby after gardening.Birds provide enjoyment and beauty.”Birding takes flight for enthusiasts ofall 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 camviews of nests around the country.Everything new and old birders alikeneed to give our feathered friends a helpinghand—er, wing. “Feeding and providinghousing for birds is the least we cando,” Putz said. “Estimates are that almosthalf of all households feed birds.”Chirp also plants the seed for birdingby hosting monthly walks and talks, in personand online (story page 10). Just as important,Chirp offers solutions as well asproduct. When nuthatches were poundingthe sides of a house, alternative housingdistracted the birds.“On our first live walk of the seasonin July we had a whole family of mountainquail pass right in front of us,” Putzsaid. “Another time a redheaded sapsuckerlooked like he was posing just for us.” Headded that recently he spotted a Clark’snutcracker, “always a thrill.”When it comes to promoting birds BigBear has plenty to work with. Well over200 different types of birds can be foundhere, obviously the well-publicized baldeagles but also tanagers, finches and evenorioles among many others. Chirp has freechecklists birders can use to identify up to248 different Big Bear birds.“Big Bear is along the Pacific Flywayand at altitude so lots of birds migratethrough here,” Putz said. “Bluff Lake hasthe widest variety of birds in the Valley.”Williamson’s sapsucker is one of severalspecies in the area that entice birders.When you can’t go to them use bathesand houses to bring the birds to you, andChirp has plenty to choose from. Somefeeders mount on windows to allow for upclose viewing from inside the house. Othershave a cage built around them to letonly song birds in and keep pigeons andsquirrels out. Still others are bear-proof.Bluebird houses are popular andthere’s also homes for kestrels and screechowls. Along with squirrel feeders that letthe fuzzy friends perform aerobatics thatFeeders in all shapes, sizes and prices, birdhouses and more at Chirp Nature Centerare fun to watch. Birdhouses covered inseed are an easy way to get into feeding;as birds eat seed you’re left with the house.Feeders and bathes made of recycledwater bottles can stand up to Big Bear’sintense sun, rain and snow. “They’re guaranteedto never crack, split, fade or peel,”Putz said. “Bird bathes are just as importantas feeders since they need the water inour dry climate. We even have heated bathsthat won’t ice over in winter.”Chirp has the seed that goes into thefeeders including it’s own custom Big Bearmix. “It has lots of black oil sunflowers,”Putz said. “Western and more rare mountainbluebirds especially like meal worms.”Join Chirp’s seed club to save up to20% on all food purchases. Buy seed bythe bucket with lid that safely stores it andwhen it’s empty just return to get a fullbucket, thus eliminating the plastic bag.Gift items are also available at Chirp,from custom design T-shirts and stickersto puzzles, games and art. Plates, mugs,door knockers, toys, calls and more arefound, all dedicated to birds.The store makes bird watching easyby streaming 30 live nest cams on fourscreens. The images continuously rotateand feature a variety of locations includingBig Bear’s own bald eagle nest.Chirp is open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.Chirp Nature Center is at 40850 VillageDr. (888) 412-4477.909.878.4FUNat North Shore Landing& Holloway’s Marina• Waverunners • Jet Skis• Sea Doos! • Kayaks, SUP• Wakeboard/Water Ski Rides• Poontoon Boatsand Fishing Boats!Enough Pause. Fast Forward to funwith Big Bear Today!Pirate Ship Lake Tours Aboard ‘Time Bandit’Narrated lake tours aboard1/3 replica of a Spanish galleonseen in the movie ‘Time Bandits’• Pirate Booty for the Kids• Cocktails for Adults • Sunset ToursTime to Push Play!www.HollowaysMarina.com or www.BigBearBoating.comCOZY CHALETS WITH FIREPLACES & GREAT VIEWS...LOCATED AT SNOW SUMMIT'S BASE AREA...JUST STEPS TO THE SKI LIFTS!Also AvailableLakeside RV ParkwithFull Hookups!Remodeled Bathrooms and Storewww.800BigBear.comPacked with all the ways to get out and just have FUN,from the lake to the trails.Social Distance on a bike, take a hike, drop a line,make time for nine (holes, that is).Keep your distance, and your sanity, with Big Bear Today!And when you can'tPICK US UP,then CLICK US UPfor online adventure!The Mountain’s Monthly Lifestyle Magazinewww.BigBearTodayMag.com
Big Bear TodayHOMESTYLEQUALITY...SteaksEastSeafoodValley'sPastaOnlyChickenBakery!Voted Big Bear'sBest Breakfast!DAILY Breakfast Special!Every Saturday NightAll-You-Can-EatBeef Ribs!NIGHTLY DINNER SPECIALSWED—PRIME RIBTHURS—CLOSEDFRIDAY—HOMEMADE CHICKEN POT PIESOR SURF & TURFSAT—ALL-U-CAN-EAT BEEF RIBSCHICKEN POT PIES IF AVAILABLESUN-HOLIDAYS—PRIME RIBFRESH CATCH OF THE DAY FRI/SATAfter lunch or dinner...treat yourself from ourBakery!Caramel-topped appledumplings...cheesecakes...apple streudel...fresh-baked piesof the season!Also Available to Go!○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○Dine Next to Our 2 CozyFireplaces or Under Trees onOur Outdoor Patio!337 W. Big Bear Blvd.(2 miles east of the ConventionCenter in Big Bear City)(909) 585-7005...FAMILYPRICES!To To Los Angelesand Orange CountyCaptain John’sSMarinaCAPT. JOHN’S GROUT BAYWest Boat RampMARINA WINDY POINTW ENorth ShoreLandingCastle RockTrailHolcombValleyBOULDERBAY1989 25 YEARS 2014The Mountain’s Monthly Lifestyle MagazineGILNER POINTAll Phone Numbers are area code(909) unless otherwise notedNovember4-5South Taurids meteor showersfrom late Wednesday night tilldawn Thursday, peak just aftermidnight.5Big Bear Alpine Zoo Grand Openingat new location (747Clubview Dr.) with ceremonyat 9 a.m., ribbon cutting 9:30,zoo opens to public 10 a.m.-4p.m. $15, $10 ages 60+/10and under. 584-1299.5-850th Annual Oktoberfest outdoorsat Wyatt’s at the ConventionCenter continues withlive music and German revelry.585-3000.5, 7Seed Collection restorationproject from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., emailfor location, required advanceregistration at lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.6-7Dine-Out Cinema presented at7 p.m. by Big Bear Film Summitat BB Bar and Grill (42164METCALFHollowayBAY MarinaBig Bear and VicinityPleasurePointPerforming ArtsCenter (PAC)Polique CanyonTrailSolar ObservatoryBIG BEAR LAKEMill CreekMill CreekAlpine Slideat Magic Mtn.Pine KnotTrailCougar CrestTrailWoodlandTrailDiscovery CenterSerrannoCampgroundEast BoatRampEAGLE POINTSwimBeachBig BearPine KnotMarinaMarinaMeadow ParkTown TrailMoonridge Rd.); Harry Potterand the Sorcerer’s Stone, Schoolof Rock. $15. 878-0802.11Veterans Day Ceremony 11a.m. at Veterans Park; presentations,dignitaries, 2019 Veteranof the Year Ed Morgan isspeaker. 866-5831.11-12North Taurids meteor showersfrom late Wednesday night tilldawn Thursday, peak just aftermidnight.12, 14Seed Collection restorationproject from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., emailfor location, required advanceregistration at lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.12-1450th Annual Oktoberfest outdoorsat Wyatt’s at the ConventionCenter concludes with livemusic and German revelry. 585-3000.14Tree of Lights 5 p.m. at thehospital (41870 Garstin Dr.);refreshments follow. 683-0335.19, 21Seed Collection restorationproject from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., emailfor location, required advanceregistration at lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.26Big Bear Turkey Trot starts andfinishes at Meadow Park (41220Big Bear Blvd.) with 9-mile raceat 8:30 a.m,, 6-mile at 9, 3-mileat 9:30. 866-8555.27-29Mountain Christmas Boutiqueat Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon at theConvention Center; holidayshopping, music from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 10-3 Sun.585-3000.WalkBoardNovember 2020—Page 13Big Bear CityMoonridgeFor updated calendar of events visit us on the Internet!www.bigbeartodaymag.comCCClub View DriveBig Bear Mountain28Seed Collection restorationproject from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., emailfor location, required advanceregistration at lunderwood@mountainsfoundation.org.Push PlaywithBig BearToday!bigbeartodaymag.comTo Victorville, Barstow& Las VegasMuseumBig BearAlpine ZooTo Angelus Oaksand RedlandsEVENTCALENDAR
Page 1 and 2: Volume 32, No. 5 November 2020www.b
Page 3 and 4: Big Bear Today November 2020—Page
Page 11: Big Bear Today November 2020—Page

Big Bear Today Magazine November 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?