"Bird Poop" of north Texas

Sunday, October 4, 2015

How to spot birds that are trying hard not to be seen

Cedar Waxwing

Spotting birds in nature has challenges that often discouraged us. Too often the birds win and we slink away in disappointment.

First, don’t use your binoculars to begin with. Binoculars severely limit your area of view to a very small portion of what it should be; a “target bird” may be just a few feet outside of your area of view, and you’ll never know it. Instead, keep binoculars handy, but in your lap, to use only when you actually see a bird.

At first, look at the whole expanse in front of you with your unaided eyes. Try not to focus on a single area or item, but let your eyes cover the whole viewing area. Movement is much easier to spot that way, which will easily locate a bird among motionless branches and such (since birds have a need for almost-constant motion). I try to ‘back off’ putting anything in sharp focus until I see motion.

When you see motion, it’s probably an actual wild bird. Swing into action! With a reference point in mind, bring the binoculars to your eyes and train them on the bird. (Practice doing this without losing your target bird). Then adjust the binoculars, focusing to get the sharpest view.

Resist the urge to look for the bird right then in a field guide. Instead, deliberately recite its characteristics to yourself such as “small bird, brown body, one white wingbar, short conical beak, two white bars on head“ and such. After the bird flies away (which he’ll probably do in 5 or 6 seconds) you’ll have plenty of time to check your field guide.

That’s about all there is to it; except for obvious matters like avoiding loud noises, sudden movements and bright clothing. Also hope for a relatively calm day, when strong winds don’t put branches in motion, and more birds are out and about.

Trivia that has nothing to do with birds I just thought it was interesting, and I hope you do too. Velcro was created about 60 years ago by a Swiss inventor. He was curious why cockleburs stuck to his clothes so ferociously. Under a microscope, he saw that its surface is a mass of tiny, interlocking hooks, which he fabricated. Hence, Velcro.

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Spectacular fall color is very possible in north Texas

North Texas is not known for spectacular fall color, unlike New England and some areas near the Rockies. That’s not because there are no colorful trees here (there are several). It’s because the dominant trees exhibit little or no spectacular fall color, as you might expect from when almost all of north Texas is in what’s biologically-called a “Post Oak Savannah”

Simply put; the sheer number of Post Oak trees (and its relative Blackjack Oaks), overwhelm the trees that are showing nice fall color. Over the centuries this natural disparity has increased. Also, unspectacular trees as Live Oaks, Ashes and some imported, non-native trees have been widely planted.

I suggest, if you want really dramatic color, you plant a “mass” of the same tree species (a “mass” is at least half a dozen, planted in a grove). Not only is it more visually striking; it seems to attract more birds seeking protection within its branches.

· The Soapberry is my personal favorite. The medium-sized tree with an unfortunate name turns a bright yellow/orange in the fall.

·       The Red Oak (also called shumard oak) turns into a reddish “torch” every fall (most of them, anyway)

·       Bald Cypress, by itself, can’t be called a spectacular tree. It’s an excellent background tree, however, since it displays a rust-red color all winner long .

·       Sweetgum is a dramatic tree. The tall tree transforms into a bright red {sometimes purple) in the fall.

·       Bigtooth Maple is a small, nativge tree that’s hard to find in nurseries, but worth the hunt. It turns into a striking red each fall.

·       Cedar Elm is a fairly common native tree. Many of them (but not all) turn a yellowish about late October.

·       Sumac is a shrubby plant that’s best used when randomly interspersed among large, trees.

These are all native to Texas, but are usually overwhelmed visually by our unspectacular oaks. In the ‘silver linings department‘ however, and thanks to rampant land-clearing, we have an opportunity to create a patch of vivid color anywhere we could plant a tree. By far the best time of year to plant them is right now, so the roots can grow all during a Texas winter, becoming visually spectacular about this time next year, and for years after.

Starlings; fit to be pried

The European Starling, a non-native bird now living almost everywhere in North America. It has a jaw/beak unlike almost any other living thing. It is stronger when opening than when closing, Thus, it can pry open tiny cracks (like in tree bark) to get at hidden insects and such.

In the fall and winter it is speckled with tiny white spots.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

The bird that's also a Migratory Tourist

Barn Swallows

The Barn Swallow is on its way back to South America – after having been in North America all spring and summer! It’s the only bird found here, that’s also been seen in every single South American country. This cousin of the Purple Martin winters only as far north as Costa Rica, and as far south as Tierra del Fuego (almost to Antarctica).

Killdeer

Useless trivia ? Unless you’re a Killdeer. Newborn Killdeer have all their feathers, unlike most birds. This is called “precosial” which could help you if you’re ever a contestant on JEOPARDY. (Killdeer are fairly common around here)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

ExxonMobil found guilty of killing birds

ExxonMobil pleaded guilty in federal court to killing 85 protected birds, including hawks, owls, and waterfowl. The birds died from exposure to natural gas well reserve pits, oil tanks, and waste water storage facilities at Exxon Mobil drilling and production facilities. The company thus violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).
The company will pay $400,000 in fines and $200,000 in community service fees to waterfowl rehabilitation and preservation programs. The $600,000 paid by ExxonMobil seems substantial. The amount, however, is roughly equal to what the company makes in income in 20 minutes

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Nightjars you’ve heard in north Texas

Nighthawk (Nightjar family)

Nigththawk

Like me, you may have called it a Whippoorwill, but what you heard was probably a Nighthawk or Chuck-will’s Widow. They’re in the Nightjar family. They’re neither hawks, nor do they fly at night (although they may keep you awake at night with their calls). They only eat insects, which they catch in mid-air with unusually large mouths, hunting mainly at dusk. During the day they sleep, well camouflaged, on a patch of flat ground, or the top of a post; sometimes on a flat roof of a house.

What’s that smell? Especially at this time of year, unwanted animals get into trash, raid birdfeeders, and tear up storage bins etc. A low-cost remedy is plain old ammonia, available cheaply at any grocery store. Soak a rag in some or put some in a dish and raccoons, armadillos, possums, stray dogs etc. won’t stick around. It even works on rats. Birds, however, have little or no sense of smell and don’t even know it’s there.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

"getting plants wet" is what it boils down to

The proper method of watering is frequently overthought. The purpose is just to get plants wet. It's that simple.

Drip irrigation works in one situation – row crops where there are emitters at the bases of plants. Even there the system isn’t perfect. You can’t see where the water is going and the maintenance is high. It’s impossible to avoid dry spots and supersaturated spots. Rodents love to eat holes in the tapes and tubes. In landscape, especially in groundcover beds, drip is a poor choice at best, and a disaster in most cases.

Spray systems are usually better. You can see where the water is going and there is better coverage. Plants like to be watered from above – like when it rains. Don’t accept the claim that moisture on the foliage leads to disease issues. That’s just not the case . Drip systems might save a little water, but if the plants die, what have you gained?

Several cities are now dictating the use of drip irrigation. These policies should be changed. An alternate policy of requiring organic landscape management would save a great deal of water. It would also reduce air, soil and water pollution. Landscape projects would also look better, be healthier and be easier to maintain.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Are there Bluebirds in north Texas???

Eastern Bluebirds

Bluebirds are here in north Texas all year long. They’re shy and prefer open meadows, which are disappearing fast. That’s why we don’t see them much. But they’re here. The bluebird population (the “Eastern Bluebird” – the one here in north Texas) declined about 90% between 1900 and the early 70s. Now there is a slight resurgence thanks to humans feeding and putting out appropriate housing.

8 million tons of trees are cut down yearly …just to make catalogs. Birds lived and raised nestlings in now-cut-down trees. But now there’s a free service to help you decide what goes into your mailbox. You click on www.CatalogChoice.org to check it out. Catalog Choice is endorsed by the Nat’l Wildlife Federation and Natural Resources Defense Council. Not only can it stop mass-mailed junk catalogs, but lets you stop “special interest” catalogs that may or may not be of interest to you.