Growing hobby of backyard bird feeding inspires new Kamloops store | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Growing hobby of backyard bird feeding inspires new Kamloops store

FILE PHOTO - A pine siskin at a bird feeder.
Image Credit: Pixabay

In the wake of the pandemic, the hobby of backyard bird feeding is rapidly growing in popularity among all age demographics. Kamloops resident, Kurtis Huston has done a lot of research on the hobby and is passionate about it.

“People have been more confined to their homes and neighbourhoods lately, so many have turned to learning about and feeding birds,” Huston said. “For about the last thirty years backyard bird feeding has been becoming a fast growing hobby and the pandemic sped it up. I have been watching birding groups on social media growing both locally and nationally. I’m also seeing younger people getting involved.”

Huston is so interested in the hobby he is opening a store in Kamloops next month devoted to backyard bird feeding.

Wild Birds Unlimited is a pet store franchise out of the United States. Huston learned about the opportunity through his involvement with fellow nature enthusiasts.

“I moved here from Vancouver almost five years ago,” he said. “I put a bird feeder in my yard and was instantly hooked. I have learned a lot about the hobby and about birds. So it made sense for me to open the store. It is much more than a store though, it is a place for educating, sharing information and helping to get people in touch with nature.”

Kurtis Huston and his partner Maggie are opening up Wild Birds Unlimited store in Kamloops in August, 2021.
Kurtis Huston and his partner Maggie are opening up Wild Birds Unlimited store in Kamloops in August, 2021.
Image Credit: Kurtis Huston

Huston is connected with local naturalist clubs, Birds Canada and the BC Wildlife Park. He is interested in educating the public on conservation practices to help preserve our songbird species. He wants to help get kids involved with nature and teach proper cleaning and feeding techniques.

“We are big on conservation,” he said. “We have a lot of ecological diversity here that needs to be protected. Half the bird species in the province will use Kamloops as a stopping point at some point during their migration.”

Huston is planning a four phase grand opening. Part of that may include a visit from a few wild friends from the BC Wildlife Park.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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