Dear Zenith Innovation,
“When I saw your feeder on the web, I was very impressed with the design concept, the many features and the presentations. None of this, however, prepared me for how impressed I would be when I assembled the feeder and put it to use. It was evident that you put an enormous amount of thought and thoughtfulness into the materials, production, packaging and design. I have assembled many things from appliances to furniture, but never had such confidence in the instructions. They are not only clear, but they make it a pleasure to watch the feeder come together in all its magnificence. I never saw parts so well protected and identified in the parcel, never had parts fit together so perfectly. “Robust” was a word you used in one of your videos, and it applies not just to the design but to the follow-through. You clearly had your human and bird customers in mind, with a goal of creating the very best.
On top of this, it is elegant, a pleasure to own and use. And, the birds love it! From their commanding height, they safely and comfortably feast. I had long been searching for something gravity fed that would allow a throng of birds to feed without shoving, something easy to fill, and something lovely to look at as I watch the birds, something sturdy and durable and easy to clean. A product so generously appointed and so aesthetically pleasing is rare outside of things handcrafted by artisans. What a joy. Your contribution is an oasis. When someone buys your birdfeeder, they get much more; they get an experience of how things can be if caring and intelligence are applied.
Since placing your feeder in the yard, we have seen more birds and more rare birds than ever. This may be coincidence, but I think that the commotion of the happy feeding birds at your feeder has been the key to drawing others. All of this has prompted us to participate in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch.”
Erica H.
Duvall, WA
A sad ending to my last Tree Swallow story. It was the end of June’ For many weeks the father Tree Swallow faithfully came to my balcony to chirp his melodic “good morning” and enjoy his meal worms. No doubt sharing with his wife and babies…or so I thought. Then he disappeared and I presumed he and his family had left their nest and gone off into the surroundings.
It was time to bring down the Purple Martin house anyway as all the babies from all the nests were obviously out on their own. When I opened up the dozen apartments all looked as it should. The Martins houses were left like solid bricks. But when I got to the Tree Swallow opening, I found the parents gone and two babies killed. I knew immediately that invading sparrows had done this, in the attempt to take over the nest.
Nature can be so beautiful and oh so cruel!!! I hope the Tree Swallow pair return in the spring, and stay closer to my vigilant eye!!
I don’t regret the three and a half months I spent in Florida – particularly during the horrendous weather in the North East.
There were pelicans, gulls, and herons galore. There was the “bird girl” who walked the beaches for miles, feeding the gulls and often holding a few in her outstretched hands. And I knew our winter birds back in New Jersey were being regularly fed by our house sitter.
But by April I longed to see my daffodils and tulips and most of all set up my three bird houses for the three varieties of birds that return to them faithfully every year.
By late April my male and female House Wrens and Chickadees had moved into their former homes. But I was saddened that my favorites – two precious Tree Swallows – had not shown up.
Then one day I peeked out of our second floor bedroom window because I thought I heard them calling me. Sure enough there they were perched on our balcony railing chirping away.
I walked the property searching for whatever nesting space they’d found. It turned out they had moved into our Purple Martin house! They were cohabitating with eleven Purple Martin pairs!
While I couldn’t observe them as closely as in previous years, at least they had come home!
