Many people are likely to believe, as I did until recently, that Wind energy is a great idea but too bad it is so terrible for the thousands or millions of birds who fly into the blades and get sliced up like a Cuisinart blender. One of those things you read somewhere and then never question. Apparently, except for a few situations most wind turbines are considered relatively safe for birds and bats. Far more birds die from your cat in the back yard, or from collisions with windows, cars, lighted communication towers, and pesticides to name a few.

Here are some good links for anyone wanting to get a more in depth discussion of this issue.
An article in Treehugger
A very comprehensive look at birds and wind energy from bird consultants to the wind power industry.
and advice from an expert, putting wind’s impact on birds in perspective.

If you are into attracting wild birds and enjoy watching them cavort in a birdbath but don’t want to clean up any mess with chemical crap then you might want to check out this soy-based spray bird bath cleaner that will not harm the birds or your garden. This organic cleaner, called Microbe-Lift Birdbath Statuary Cleaner, 32 oz will wash away the muck from stone, brick, and will even restore their surfaces and keep them looking new.

Every bird enthusiast will love this hummingbird feeder.  It is made of recycled glass and has 4 red flowers for multiple hummingbirds to feed at once.  The rubber center is easily removed for cleaning and re-filling.  Sturdy metal hooks will keep it securely fasted to your feeding pole, tree branch or bush without tipping.  Feeders will hold 16 ounces of fluid.

The recycled hummingbird feeder is available in green, aqua, red, violet, clear and blue from Are Naturals for $44.

A pack of four treats – one each of Almond Tidbit, Peanut Butter Delight, Filbert Yummy and Pecan Cashew Goody. The best thing about these, apart from being made in a healthy food bakery, is that they’re made to normal taste standards and are fit for human consumption. You might need to pick up a spare pack to go with your afternoon tea and to avoid any fights with your feathered friend over who gets to nibble on the favorites!

Treats are available for $9.95 per pack at Eco-Pet.

Even though they don’t live inside with you…and you never pet them…and you don’t name them, outdoor birds can seem like pets too. Yeah, it sounds a little weird, but why not take care of them a little bit too? This bird house made for wrens is completely recycled! The material is made of 100% recycled milk jugs and suitable for any small bird who chooses to nest inside particularly wrens and chickadees. The roof can be opened to clean and also comes with a wire hanger to hang from branches.

The recycled birdhouse can be bought from Drs. Foster and Smith for $19.99.

That feathered friend singing from the corner (OK, maybe it’s more like a squawk) would love to play with this hot new toy. It isn’t a toy…really. It’s a coconut, hollowed out and dried. A completely natural product that your bird can climb in and play peek-a-boo with you. You can stuff food in and let them find it or let them tear it apart for fun – your choice. Or theirs. Mostly theirs, let’s be honest.

Buy your Coconutty for $10.49 from Robbins Pet Care.

Hibiscus Flower Hummingbird Feeder $36.95 from organicstyle.com

Bloom™ Recycled Glass Hummingbird Feeder (6 colors to choose from) $44.00 from arenaturals.com

Lots of people don’t have pets but love wildlife. One easy way they can appreciate our feathered friends is to put up a hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds particularly like red and orange flowers so be sure to add some red to the mix. Also you’ll want to be sure to keep them very clean, so recycled glass is a great way to go. Here are a couple we found you might like. These sites had other types to choose from as well so browse around.

This handy pad made from recycled paper is just the thing your sitter needs when you go away. Leave special instructions, emergency numbers, and all pertinent information in one place. Easy to read, fill in the blank format. Each pad is 6” x 9” and contains 50 instruction sheets. Partial proceeds donated to charity. See site for details. Sold for $3.50 per pad at Bark for Peace.

My dog loves grass, she can’t seem to munch enough of it whenever we go to our nearby Boston park which doesn’t seem to use pesticides or herbicides. However, in a few weeks we are moving to San Diego and I suspect the little precious grass they have in this desert climate there will be much more likely to be treated with chemicals. So I have been looking into some healthy alternatives that won’t cost me a fortune and wanted to share my initial findings.

Cats, dogs and many other pets seem to instinctively want to eat grass. By eating grasses they obtain important vitamins and minerals as well as adding more fiber to their diet. So many pet stores are selling little trays of pet grass – but I suspect the tiny but expensive amount they offer are just for pampered gerbils, my dog would be asking for more in about 30 seconds. So, if I am going to start growing my own I am going to need a cheaper solution. Smaller dogs and cats probably won’t need as much but you might want to save money anyway as well as have greater control over the quality of the grass.

If you want to get a kit that includes all you need to grow your own then check out wheatgrasskits.com who offers a kit with 5lbs of certified organic wheatgrass seed, 5 trays for growing, 1 bag of soil, and instructions – all for 15.95

If you have a green thumb and are willing to get your instructions, soil and potting trays on your own then can save money by going to wheatgrassman.com and buying a bag of certified wheatgrass seed – you can get 4lbs for just $6.95 or if you know your pet is going to love this stuff then spring for the 25 or 50lb bag and save even more money at $20.95 and $37.95 respectively.

Parrots on the Porch.com says they are working hard to get organic parrot food into the mainstream. According to the website they use all organic ingredients. Parrots are very sensitive to pesticides, dyes and preservatives. They can have digestive, neurological and mood problems from foods that contain too many additives.

They also go on to say that they make their foods in frequent batches, to maintain freshness, sometimes taking custom orders. They also wrote us to say that they get many of their grains and vegetables locally, to support their area’s organic farmers.

Sadly, my wife has no tolerance for loud squawking at any time of the day so I will forever be parrot-less. If you are lucky enough to have a parrot living with you, this is one site you should check out.