Information Entry Competition: How Can Your Environment Benefit Birds?

February 14, 2023

| Gray Catbird by Laura Frazier |

For the season that is seventh a row, Project FeederWatch and our sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited are rewarding registered FeederWatchers with the chance to win prizes. This

Celestron

is joining the fun and offering one pair of binoculars to each data entry contest winner as well year. After entering bird counts data that are( into the FeederWatch website, participants have the opportunity to share a story, memory, or tip by clicking the “Enter to Win” button on the Count Summary page. We randomly select two winners per prompt. Our Data that is second Entry prompt this year was:There are numerous ways to enhance habitat for wildlife. Where do you turn which will make your yard a haven for the friends that are avianCongratulations to our winners, Pat Brown and

Jennifer Gaus-Myers

!

Pat shared:

Water is our habitat specialty! We live on a lake in North Georgia, have a waterfall/pond feature, and also place a dish of water near the bird area that is feeding over 30 bird types, 20+ deer, a lot of squirrels, along with other critters enjoy. The space that is outside I feed birds is a floor below my big kitchen window, in an area full of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, which includes large trees for birds to roost and make nests in. There is also brush for the wrens and other birds to make a true home in.Flower farming is my enthusiasm, offering even more meals when it comes to wild birds. Hummingbirds love the flowers that are perennial especially the penstemon, pineapple sage, and trumpet vine. Immediately outside my kitchen window is my favorite fig tree where the birds often land before heading to the area that is feeding. Minimal did i understand, once I planted it, me to take pictures from just a few feet away, offering the benefit of identifying birds that usually too far away that it would allow. This bird sanctuary is a gift that puts a smile on my face every day. All the birds and critters love it too!Planting gardens and landscaping wildlife in mind to your yard is amongst the most readily useful techniques to assist wild birds because they search for meals sources, nesting habitat, defense against predators, and much more. Not merely do flowers supply meals such seeds, good fresh fruit, nectar, and sap, nonetheless they offer habitat for pests, that are needed for wild birds and their particular younger. Wild birds make use of bushes for protection and cover from predators, and use plant fibers for nesting material and nesting habitat. To learn more, check out Project FeederWatch’s page on

Gardening For Birds

.[so that birds can access]Jennifer shared:

I have tried to vary yard cover using plants that are native bushes, and woods, utilizing types with seeds and fruits that attract birds. I really do maybe not deadhead my flowerheads – I leave the dead stalks standing all winter season seeds, concealed pests, and spots that are perching. I have a dust bath area that I keep clear and a heated bird bath with a bubbler that is small. I really do maybe not make use of pesticides; I allow all of the invertebrates that wild birds will dsicover delicious have a true home here. Many birds nest in my spruces that is tall or dense hedge. I personally use UV-reflective services and products to my house windows to lessen influence. Also, We have two wren homes and a Eastern screech-owl box…all on a 3rd of an acre!Jennifer’s attempts tend to be a example that is great of can be done even if you only have access to a small plot of land! NestWatch, another citizen science project here at the Cornell Lab, has resources that are several makes it possible to supply nesting area for wild birds. Have a look at their Right Bird, Appropriate House device to locate nest field building programs. You should use the filters about this device to locate species that reside in your habitat and location, then click on the species page to learn about their specific nesting preferences, download a construction plan, and find tips on where and how to install the box. You can also find tips for installing nest boxes here. For

NestWatch if you do put up a nest box, consider monitoring it! Just enthusiastic about placing away nesting products for wild birds to make use of? We advice reading their nesting products article for recommendations! Thanks to any or all whom took part and shared their particular stories we could share all of your submissions– we wish! Look for the prompts we announce the next data entry contest winners on March 14th, 2023 after you submit your next count and stay tuned for when! E-mail

feederwatch@cornell.edu with concerns, and browse the tales from previous champions on

our blog

.

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