The final days ...

The Bird House will close permanently by Tuesday, October 31, after 14 years in business. It has been an adventure—not only a learning experience but more importantly as an opportunity to meet many wonderful people.

I've enjoyed hearing your stories of birds and bird sightings and your attempts to outwit squirrels. We're shared observations about backyard visitors. I hope you've benefited from my tips on how to make your backyard bird habitat even more enjoyable. I will miss these discussions.

I am taking a well-deserved retirement. I'll probably continue to meet many of you in our travels. Maybe we can bring each other up to date on this great hobby and pastime we share!

For now, however, it's time for me to move on. Everything in the store must go at discount prices. Some merchandise remains but the final few items are disappearing quickly. The sales booth and the display walls already have been removed in preparation for the building's new tenant. The lease on the building expires on October 31.

The Bird House will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will remain open on Monday and Tuesday, depending on whether the merchandise has run out. All sales are final, with no returns.

This blog will be shut down on November 5, so if you have any stories that you'd like to retain for future reference, please copy them now!

One question you're probably asking is where will you buy seed and suet now? (One of the principal companies that I used was an Amish-owned supplier in Ohio, but I can't recommend traveling that far!) I do have a few suggestions on places that offer seed closer to home. A few of these locations also sell suet, feeders, houses, baths or bird-related merchandise.

Moyer Products
113 E. Reliance Road, Souderton
The Bird House has sold Moyer's "Scarlett" brand seed since 2003 because of the superior quality. The company offers sunflower, safflower, Nyjer, white millet and other seed. It also is the source for seed mixes that you've become accustomed to, such as "Conservation," "Backyard Best," "Classic" and "Ultimate." You'll see an abundance of feeders and houses as well.

Neighbors Home & Garden Center
38 South Main Street, Hellertown
Neighbors offers two different sources of seed. Straight seed mixes such as sunflower and safflower can be found, along with mixes from Agway. Feeders and houses from Woodlink, Audubon and Perky Pet are available. In summer, Neighbors sells those popular clay-fired Burley Clay bird baths. One of the nice things about traveling to Neighbor's is that the Route 412 construction is finally completed!

Phillips Pet Supply Outlet
Bath Pike (Route 512) south of Bath
The store offers straight seed but check the ingredients on the mixes. Many of the mixes contain red milo, a filler that is ignored by backyard birds. You'll identify red milo by the reddish globe-like seed. The red in milo differs from the white millet which sparrows, Mourning Doves, juncos and other birds enjoy. Mixes may contain cracked corn. Some birds eat cracked corn but you are bound to see more squirrels than anything. The variety of feeders and houses is limited.

Lehigh Valley Home & Garden Center
(4220 Crackersport Road, located off Route 309 west of Allentown)
Primarily a garden and outdoor furniture distributor, the company does offer Lyric and Scott's bird seed and suet, as well as some feeders.

Big-box stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot and most grocery stores sell seed, seed mixes, suet, feeders and houses. However, the seed and suet is questionable, in part because the low turnover may make the product stale. (The Bird House turned over its seed every two weeks or so.) Another problem is that many seed blends are high in red milo. Thinking she is getting a bargain, a friend's neighbor buys grocery-store seed mixes. She now has a heap of reddish seed beneath her feeder. Not even the squirrels touch it.

I'm not endorsing one business over another—just telling you what is available so you can make your own selections based on price and priority.

Thanks once again to my loyal customers. Whether you've been a faithful customer for 14 years (as some people actually have!) or new visitors to the store, I appreciate your choosing me as your source for your backyard birding needs. 

Products and seed are flying off the shelf!

A reminder: The Bird House is closing on Tuesday, October 31 after 14 years in business. 

Seed is still available as long as it lasts but other products are dwindling as each day goes by. Dave received the last shipment of seed on Thursday, October 12. He has had his longest-running seed sale in the history of the store—six weeks long—as a thank-you to the many customers who have been so generous and loyal over the past 14 years. 

Seed and suet will available until October 31st or until supplies run out. 

Products such as hardware and feeders are on sale for up to 50 percent off. We are not able to accept special orders requests. Most fixtures are on sale. You might find them handy organizing your basement or garage. Many items already have been sold.

The only exception are the slat walls—those wood-colored horizontal walls that used to hang products for visibility's sake. Builders, hobbyists and homeowners who'd like to tidy up their basements can purchase the slat walls if they make arrangements by October 31.  The slat walls are avilable at $20 apiece. 

Annual seed sale continues until store closes

The Bird House's final seed sale is continuing until the store closes later this month. We'll continue offering 15 percent off on favorite seed and suet.

The Bird House is closing its doors after 14 years in business now that Dave has reached retirement age. In addition to seed and suet, you can find bargains of up to 50 percent off on certain merchandise. But hurry. Items are flying off the shelves (most of which, by the way, also are available for sale).

A shrinking selection of bird houses, bird feeders, all-weather bird baths, accessories, books, puzzles and gift-giving items remain available but if you wait, you may find that favorite item gone forever.

The store will close on October 31 (or perhaps sooner, depending on whether seed and merchandise run out). Sales are final, with no returns.

The Bird House has had seed sales twice a year but this sale is the longest in the store's history. It is a great way to stock up! We want to give customers a big thank-you for their patronage and friendship.

Mid-winter sale runs from Thursday through Saturday

The Bird House is having a mid-winter sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from February 16 to February 18. 

Everything is on sale, with some special items marked 50 percent off.

The sale includes:

• Seed
• Suet
• Bird houses
• Feeders
• Bird baths
• Books
• Accessories

It's a great opportunity to replace a tired feeder or bird house. We have several new houses in stock. 

And don't forget about our all-season bird baths. They have thermostatically controlled heaters for the winter. When warmer arrives, just unplug the bath and you're ready to enjoy watching birds outdoors. We also have heating units that can be added to existing bird baths.

Don't miss out on the sale! 

(Products are available only while supplies last. Sorry, no special orders. The sale cannot be used in addition to other offers.)

Last chance for seed sale!

The Bird House's autumn seed sale ends Saturday, October 8. Hurry in for bargains on all kinds of seed and seed blends. We'll be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Again, the sale ends Saturday!

Winter specials: 20% off select items

The Bird House is offering 20 percent off select items. 

Birdie Wreaths are a treat not only for backyard birds but also your home landscape. Trees and shrubs won't be blooming for several weeks. In the meantime, brighten your surroundings with a Birdie Wreath. The wreaths include such goodies oil as sunflower seed and peanuts as well as festive-looking safflower seed that is tinted with bird-safe dye.

The weather can still be chilly. Make your feet feel comfortable while celebrating your favorite hobby: bird watching! The bird socks display a number of bird themes—cardinals, bluebirds and hummingbirds, for instance—and they come in different colors. Even when the socks are not on sale, you pay less than buying them online or even directly through the manufacturer. With 20 percent off, the socks are the best bargain you'll get anywhere at any time. Hurry in! Supplies and selection are limited. 

Roosting pockets are loved by small birds during chilly winter weather. These teardrop-shaped woven grass pockets provide much-needed refuge from harsh storms, wind, freezing rain, ice and snow. Chickadees and wrens in particular will appreciate these shelters especially if your backyard's trees are leafless at this time of year. The roosting pockets are made of reed grass, which is slow to decay. The rough surfaces make it easy for birds to enter and exit. We have only a handful of roosting pockets left, so don't delay!

Special: Free peanut butter with purchase of new feeder

For a limited time, you can get a free 12-ounce jar of Wildwood Farms' Wildlife Peanut Butter with the purchase of a new Peanut Butter Feeder. It's a $5.25 value that you can't pass up!

Chickadees, woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice and even some species of warblers find peanut butter a special high-nutrition addition to their diet. Peanut butter is rich in fat, which birds need during wintertime cold spells.

The Peanut Butter Feeder is a simple device consisting of a weather-resistant metal-coated grid affixed to a durable cedar frame. Smear some peanut butter on the grid. You'll enjoy watching birds cling to the feeder as they pick away small dabs of peanut butter. The feeder is 9 inches high and 6 inches wide, with an opportunity for birds to feed from either side.

You can use regular peanut butter that is meant for human consumption. However, the Wildwood Farms peanut butter is specially formulated to include high-energy sugar, vegetable oil and molasses. It gives birds an extra boost in nutrition.

Products sold at The Bird House may be available for a limited time, so hurry in!

Small Business Saturday sale is today

15% off any item on Small Business Saturday

Don't forget the fall seed sale!

It's been a tradition at The Bird House to offer customers a reduced prices for seed and suet. This year is no exception. 

This year's sale will begin on Tuesday, September 29, and continue to Saturday, October 3. 

All seed and suet will be 20 percent off. 

It's a great time to buy a few extra bags of seed to store at home for autumn migration and the cold days of winter!

25% off all bird baths starting Monday!

This is a perfect time to buy a bird bath for your backyard habitat.

The Bird House is having a sale on all baths from Monday, August 31, through Saturday, September 5. Great savings at 25% off!

There are hanging baths, ground baths and beautiful ceramic baths made from Ohio clay. All sorts of designs ... all sorts of colors ... at a wide range of prices.

 

Any bath will complement your garden setting. And at the best savings of the year!

In-store stock only. Does not apply to special orders or previous purchases. No rain checks.

25% off on special hummingbird feeders

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that have been visiting your backyard may be getting hungry as summertime flowers are beginning to shed their blooms. Here's a good chance to extend the season. 

The Bird House is offering 25% off on hummingbird feeders that can be inserted into hanging baskets or planter containers.

The feeder has a metal stem that you insert into the soil of the hanging basket or container garden. All you have to do is attach the bee guard and add nectar. The feeder is easy to clean.

Save now: July 4th sale on bird feeders

Don't miss out! Visit The Bird House on Saturday, July 4, for one-day savings on any type of bird feeder


We're having special hours for this sale: 
9 a.m. to noon



Sale includes tube feeders, hopper feeders, platform feeders, suet feeders, hummingbird feeders, window feeders, Droll Yankees feeders and squirrel-resistant feeders



Click on the coupon and print. Or, just let us know that you saw the coupon and we'll give you 15 percent off!

Enjoy a birdbath all year long—and get great savings

From today through Saturday, March 7, The Bird House is offering all-season birdbaths at 25 percent off the regular price. Yes, 25 percent!



Having a birdbath in your backyard is an ideal way to attract more songbirds and a greater variety of them. All birds need water not only to drink but also to bathe. 

The trouble is, a birdbath that you buy for the summer months may not be usable in cold months. Some baths are made of materials that may crack in freezing temperatures. 

If you have only a summer bath and you must bring it indoors for the winter, you'll be denying birds access to drinking and bathing water in winter when liquid water is in short supply. And of course you'll have to find a place to store the summer bath, perhaps in your already-crowded garage or basement. On top of that is the additional cost of buying one bath for summer use and another for winter use.

You can avoid these headaches by buying a heated bird bath. It can be used in all seasons. A heating element that is built into an all-season bath will maintain a constant liquid water temperature even on frigid days and nights. Because the bath has a built-in thermostat, you use electricity only when needed. If you get lucky and have a winter day that is sunny and mild, the thermostat shuts itself off automatically.

When warmer weather arrives (and let's hope it does soon!) you can use the all-season bath for the rest of the year. Just unplug the electricity. Many of the baths have built-in niches where the cord can be stored out of sight. Enjoy the bath all summer. Then, when winter arrives in December, merely reconnect the electricity and you're in business.

Several styles are available, from the traditional pedestal baths to those that are placed on the ground. The latter type is especially beneficial for juncos—the "winter birds"—that prefer to stay low to the ground. Most other birds enjoy ground-level feeders, too. 

Another particular model gives you plenty of options for placement. It contains hardware for you to attach the bath to a post, the railing of a deck, or just above the ground. We tried this model and found it to be excellent in keeping water clear of ice.

So stop in! We have a limited number of all-season baths in stock.

Having an all-season bath is a bargain at any price. But you'll save even more money with prices that are the lowest of the year.

Mid-winter sale ends on Saturday

Don't miss out on the sale! Only a few days left! These are the best prices of the season. 

Hurry in if you're thinking about getting a heated birdbath—only a few remain!

Storewide sale starts Friday!

Hurry in for great offers at The Bird House's midwinter sale. Starting Friday, February 6, you'll be able to buy almost everything in the store (except seed and suet products) at 20 percent off the regular price. 

Have you been eyeing that special feeder, heated birdbath or bird house? Now is the time to buy! A complete range of accessories is on sale, too. 

Spring isn't too far away. Replace your old feeder or add a new birdhouse. And heated bird baths are important now to provide liquid drinking water on these chilly days.

The sale continues through Saturday, February 14. Come in as soon as you can, because the lower prices apply only to in-store merchandise. Sorry, no rain checks or special orders.

20% off on Birdie Wreaths

Birdie Wreaths are an excellent way of attracting woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and other seed-loving species to your backyard. The wreaths are a holiday tradition but you can extend the enjoyment of the season.

Until supplies last The Bird House is offering Birdie Wreaths at 20 percent off their retail price. 

The wreaths can be hung from a tree branch or shepherd's hook. They are made completely of sunflower, safflower and other seed, plus peanut chips, and are held together with glycerin. Birds love them!

Bird-friendly nontoxic colors on some of the seed enhance the decorative appeal.

Visit us now. Only a few Birdie Wreaths remain, and once they're gone they won't return until next Christmas.