When Eric Moore was a child, he was fascinated by birds at the feeder in his yard. “I started when I was about five years old. It’s been a lifelong interest,” he said.
The older he got, the more his interest grew. “I would build a blind like hunters or photographers use and started doing bird photos at 12 or 13 and doing bird recordings when I was 14 or 15.”
Moore joined the Tucson Audubon Society when he was 13. He was teased by other kids about his interest, the adults took him under their wings and helped develop his passion.
Today, Moore is the owner of Jay’s Bird Barn in both Prescott and Sedona. These unique stores are all about feeding and enjoying wild birds.
“We opened the Prescott store in October 2003 and the Sedona store in 2010,” he said.
And business has been “phenomenal.”
“Our typical customers are retirees who have disposable time and disposable income. They are well educated and they are interested in the natural world. They have found birds to be a way to connect with nature. It is something they can do in the comfort of their homes. They can sit inside drinking their morning coffee watching birds at the bird feeder. It’s a low-impact activity.”
Bird watchers seeking more activity can take hikes or sign up for organized bird-watching events. A lot of people who are shut-in or elderly also can enjoy the activity, he said. Many of his customers are involved in the Audubon Society. The local chapter includes Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff.
At the moment, Moore is in charge of publicity for the organization, educating the public, leading guided walks and promoting Audubon activities in the community. He is also a supporter of the Highland Nature Center where he teaches classes, leads bird walks and helps raise funds by donating his time and money.
“I help them achieve their mission of connecting people with nature,” he said.
Especially important is their outreach to children, he says – teaching them to be good stewards of the land.
The best way to attract birds to your yard, says Moore, is to provide water year around.
“Every month of the year is important for water.”
Next, a bird feeder would help attract seed-eating birds or suet for insect-eating types.
“You can attract a wider variety of birds with a wider variety of food products you offer.”
But those who are serious about bird watching should be careful about the seed they buy. Moore mixes the feed himself for different areas of Northern Arizona, identifying the right mix for birds in the forest and a different mix for birds in the grasslands, for example.
“The first thing we ask you is where you live,” he said. “Bird feeding is our core business. We don’t sell videos, clothes or toilet paper. All of our employees are birders and are passionate about birds, enjoy nature and are super knowledgeable. We love what we do and we love to share our knowledge and expertise.”
Asking Moore to name his favorite bird is like asking a parent to name his favorite child. “There is no way I can pick one bird. There are so many spectacular, incredible birds. I love them all. I get excited about seeing birds.”
Moore notes that we need birds more than they need us. “We want to invite nature into our lives. They are wild animals. They can feed themselves. It’s a way for us to connect with nature and we get to enjoy them.”
He said some wild birds are endangered not because of a lack of food, but because of the destruction of their habitat through development and other human activity.
Besides offering bird food, the stores offer optics, binoculars and scopes to help watch birds. FBN
Jay’s Bird Barn is in Prescott at 1046 Willow Creek Road #105. In Sedona it is at 2360 W. Highway 89 #B-1.To learn more visit www.Jaysbirdbarn.com.