Million Pollinator Garden Challenge!

While creating a presentation on using native plants to attract native pollinators, I found this interesting challenge on creating over a million gardens to attract pollinators. It's inspiring and fun.
By registering your garden, you can also be included on the S.h.a.r.e. map.

Here are some of the photos I included from my garden:

Educating and inspiring others to make more spaces in their yards for pollinator friendly gardens, especially using native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, will provide the much needed support pollinators need to survive, thrive and flourish. 

Here are some excellent websites and books for more information on how to create pollinator friendly gardens and the how and whys of using native plants:

•       Bowman’s Hill: http://www.bhwp.org/

•       PA Native Plant Society: http://www.panativeplantsociety.org/

•       Pollinator Partnership: http://www.pollinator.org/

•       Xerces Society: http://www.xerces.org/

•       Find Native Plants: http://findnativeplants.com/

•       DCNR: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/plants/nativeplants/

Books:

•       Bringing Nature Home, D. Tallamy

•       Pollinators of Native Plants, H. Holm

•       Attracting Native Pollinators, Xerces Society

•       Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Guide

Clicking on the link here or using the icon on this sites' sidebar, will bring you to the site:

http://millionpollinatorgardens.org/

To Feed Birds or Not?

In recent conversations and on various blog posts, I have noticed an increase in the discussion of artificial bird feeding and backyard bird feeding.

I enjoy feeding birds and watching them come to the feeders, especially during the winter months.  I have always felt I was giving them a leg up during these challenging cold months, when there is less food available for those who stay year round.

Or am I?

So, I decided to explore the topic to see what the research shows.

From the Bird Watcher's Digest article, "Does Bird Feeding Affect Bird Behavior", here are some key points summarized:

a. Raptors use bird feeders as personal feeding stations. They may do "short-stopping" rather than carry out their full migration if there is "an abundance of prey at bird feeders".

We often have a cooper's hawk that frequents the feeder area.

(http://www.georgiabackyardnature.com/.a/6a00e554525e228834017c315c7f89970b-500wi)

b. Bird feeders have increased the northern expansion of northern cardinals, tufted titmice, mourning doves and others.

I can attest to this - we have a thriving population of all of these species in the winter.

c. Several scientific studies have shown that there are "nutritional and reproductive benefits for bluejays, black-capped chickadees and tufted-titmice" that breed in the area of the bird feeders.

d. In general, birds do NOT need the extra food, but it serves as a "fast-food" outlet in times of food shortages.

e. It does increase the local squirrel populations, unless action is taken to discourage them, such as using a squirrel proof feeder, as shown here:

or this

f. Increased disease transfer is possible, if the feeders are not kept clean. It is noted, though, that birds do often feed in mixed-species flocks anyways.

g. If you decide to feed, you must be consistent, as birds come to depend on it and change their feeding habits, especially during storms and other critical times.

To read the complete story, see:
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/feeding/does-feeding-affect-behavior.php

According to the article, "Artificial Bird Feeding: What we don't know", studies conducted in the UK regarding artificial feeding, have found that Great and Blue Tits lay their eggs earlier and have a shortened incubation period. Surprisingly, they may also have smaller clutches and lower hatching success.

Also, artificial feeding may cause evolutionary changes, as seen with the Black Caps in the UK, splitting up into a new species, with one migrating normally and the other migrating only a short distance. A positive outcome for those birds, who overwinter, is being closer to their breeding grounds. (http://www.metrofieldguide.com/artificial-bird-feeding-what-we-dont-know/)

In conclusion, in trying to find a middle ground, I think, feeding during the hardest winter months
of January through March would be beneficial for our local birds.

A Winter Wonderland

After receiving almost a foot of snow over the weekend, 3 days later another snowstorm/blizzard has arrived bringing with it perhaps as much as 2 feet of snow. The area hasn’t seen this much snow since the 90’s. The snow is swirling, pelting and blowing horizontally at times.

The birds have intensified their feeding at the bird feeders as they try to endure this challenging winter. This easy food provides a way for the birds to survive and conserve energy. They especially enjoy black oiled sunflower seeds and hearts which have a high meat to shell ratio and are high in fat. Millet, nuts and thistle are also good seed choices. Suet is especially enjoyed by insect eating birds such as the red-bellied woodpeckers and wrens.