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MARCH 2016 Spring Tips to Attract Beautiful Birds to Your Yard (StatePoint) When hosting neighbors and friends for spring gatherings,


your thoughts may dwell on accommodating guests. But how often do you consider your animal visitors? “During spring, flocks of birds migrate and are looking for places to refuel


and rest,” says Spencer Schock, Founder of WindowAlert, makers of bird- friendly products for homes. “A few small tweaks to your yard, is like placing out a welcome mat.” Unfortunately, migration is not


without peril or hardship, but Schock says turning your home into a refuge for birds can be fun and add beauty to your yard. He of- fers these tips to keep feathered travelers safe during their migratory journey. • Protect flight:Millions of birds die annually by striking glass, making windows a hazard to birds in flight. Try applying spe- cial decals that reflect ultraviolet sunlight to your home’s win- dows, particularly those win- dows that are highly reflective of open sky. The decals won’t affect your view because they’re virtually invisible to


humans, but will help keep birds safe. For example, those from WindowAlert have patterns that give the appearance of slightly frosted translucent glass, but glow like a stoplight for birds. The brand also makes a high-tech liquid called WindowAlert UV Liquid, which can be applied between decals. Such ultraviolet decals have been scientifically proven to keep birds


safer. A 2015 American Bird Conservancy Study found that the more Win- dowAlert decals that were applied to a piece of glass covering the departure


point of a flight tunnel, the more birds avoided it (a net protected all the birds in the study from actually getting hurt, no matter where they chose to fly). • Bed and Breakfast: Birdfeeders come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and simply adding one to your yard can help beautify it and give birds the energy needed to continue their flight. Remember though, bird strikes


are often a problem near bird feed- ers, as feeding birds are easily fright- ened and are apt to take wild, evasive flight; position feeders closer than three feet or farther than 30 feet from windows. If your feeder is close to the window, birds fly away from the house. Believe it or not, the safest type of feeder is the kind that attach to the window itself. You can also make your home’s


outdoor spaces more bird-friendly filling your garden with the right plants and flowers for pollinating bird species. • Watch and record: Grab a pair of binoculars and a field guide book and take note of the types of birds you see and when. This will


help you become better prepared for next season. In addition, consider be- coming a “citizen scientist” by submitting your observations to The Audubon Society and Cornell University’s database at ebird.org. For more tips on making your home and garden a bird haven, visit Win-


dowAlert.com. “By making a few simple modifications to your yard and home, you can


assist birds on their long journey,” says Schock. PHOTO SOURCE: Sumikophoto - Fotolia.com


Rancho Damacitas Honored for Dedication to the Temecula Valley Community


Rancho Damacitas Children & Family Services was honored on Saturday as the Ruby Serv-


ice Charitable Organization of the Year at the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce’s (TVCC) 50th Annual Gala Awards. Each year TVCC recognizes exceptional businesses, service/char- itable organizations, and individuals for their work and dedication to the Temecula Valley com- munity. TVCC members select businesses and organizations that they feel show great leadership, business ethics, and outstanding service to their community. Kristi Piatkowksi, Director of Development, accepted the award on behalf of Rancho Damacitas. Kristi shared that the award is in recognition of foster youth that deal with the physical, emotional and mental scars from the abuse they suf- fered every day. Kristi told the story of Kim, who came to Rancho Damacitas at age 12 after 26 different foster placements. Kim was angry, struggled with school and was physically aggressive because of the unstable nature of fos- ter care. Kristi stressed how Temecula has given Kim a place to heal and grow, a place to belong. “Kim is no longer a product of the system,” says Kristi, “Today, I am proud to say that she is a product of the Temecula com- munity.” Kim now has a 3.8 grade point average and on track to graduate, started her first part-time job, and plans to attend college this fall for mar- keting and business. “Rancho Damacitas is honored and humbled to receive this


award,” said Cal Winslow, CEO of Rancho Damacitas. “We would not be able to do good work with the kids without the support of our community.”


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