Our speaker, Mr. Tom Striker, has been a birder for 40 years and has operated a backyard nature store in Blue Ridge since 2003, with year round educational seminars and bird walks.  His first career as a professional forester included 15 years with the Forest Service in the Lakes States and New England.  He is a member of the American Birding Association, Atlanta and National Audubon Societies, Georgia Ornithological Society and Fannin County Wing Watchers.

                Mr. Striker will cover the basics of bird feeding, including choosing quality feed and selecting a feeder. He plans to have a display showing what a typical wild bird blend really contains, and examples of different types of feeders will be shown. How to handle critters such as squirrels, raccoons and bears through feeder selection and our own behavior will be discussed. Backyard bird habitat, including water will be covered, as well as appropriate bird books.