The orchard mason bee, also known as the blue orchard bee, is the Western native pollinator that appears each year in late winter and early spring to pollinate the early-blooming fruit trees and flowers. Its scientific name, Osmia lignaria propinqua Cresson, describes the insect order to which it belongs and also includes ants, bees and […]
Jim Ullrich
The president of Wild Birds Unlimited in Gig Harbor, and the current president of the Kitsap Audubon Society. He serves on the Kitsap Audubon board of directors, and was past president in 2005. He has been a guest on the radio programs of Ciscoe Morris, Ed Hume and Scott Conner. He received the "Friend to the Environment" award from Wild Birds Unlimited of Indianapolis, the "Franchisee of the Year" for Wild Birds Unlimited of Indianapolis, the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Kingfisher Award from the Kitsap Audubon Society, and the Tahoma Audubon Society Distinguished Service Award. Jim is a retired Naval officer, and holds a Master's degree in business administration from the University of Puget Sound. 1-800-851-2575
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How to Choose Binoculars
It is time to get out there and enjoy the wildlife in your own backyard — or take your new binoculars and spotting scopes to an area park and view the wonders of birds and other critters in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When looking for new binoculars or a spotting scope, plan on spending an […]
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All About the Mason Bee
Mason bees are wonderful pollinators that are native to most of North America. They have been doing a magnificent job of pollinating long before the colonists brought in the honeybees from overseas. The mason bee is not a hive-dwelling bee, therefore there is no queen. Simply, groups of males and females emerge in late winter […]
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The Secret Love Life of Birds
Birds have almost as many strategies as people do for getting together. Avian mating styles have been a topic of recent research and ornithologists now recognize how subtle and diverse bird partnerships really are. Monogamy: The most typical type of partnership is monogamy, where one male and one female mate and stay together during the […]
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Backyard Bird Feeding Makes A Difference
Bird feeding provides many benefits for winter birds in the Puget Sound area yards. The key to the conservation of bird populations is in providing the habitats needed for their natural reproduction and sustained survival. Interaction and education are the ultimate keys, because we must know something before we can love it — and we […]
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Choosing Optics For Any Season
Choosing which binoculars to buy is based on a wide variety of factors. The most important are when and where will you be using them and what you want to see. To answer these questions, you must do your homework. “When” and “where” will determine
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Outdoor Activities to Connect Children With Nature
Early fall is a great opportunity to introduce children to new activities. Children are naturally curious and they love to explore and learn about the natural world. Parents will be amazed at the fun and adventure children can experience in their own backyard, at their local park or on a camping trip. Here are some […]
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Healthy Birds In Your Backyard
What a wonderful spring we had, with lots of moisture and late winter snow in the mountains. All that is good for the birds and their nesting activities that are ongoing. Every year, we hear of some illness issues that pop up from time to time with the birds in local backyards. To alleviate some […]
Posted inGarden
Orchard Mason Bees — Fascinating Creatures
The orchard mason bee, or blue orchard bee, is the western native pollinator that appears each year in late winter and early spring to pollinate all the early blooming fruit trees and flowers. Its scientific name, Osmia Lignaria Propinqua Cresson, describes the insect order to which it belongs that also includes ants, bees and wasps. […]