hurricanes and their affect on birds

Major storms such as hurricanes are undeniably harmful, and have been occurring for ages – and will certainly occur again. Since we're in the middle of hurricane season, let's learn about birds and migration during a hurricane, while leaving news of the impact on humankind to those who know better than I.

As you might imagine, many birds fly rapidly from the area as a hurricane approaches. They’re alerted by the sudden drop in barometric pressure which they instinctively know means “leave fast” – after all, their species has been dealing with storms for ages. However, some will choose to stay put if they can find shelter, and ride it out.

In addition to the drastic pressure change, hurricanes generally approach from the south. They’re huge storms, with counterclockwise winds, carrying lots of water. This means that ahead of the core of the storm, winds will be blowing essentially from east to west inland from the upper gulf coast.  (The same principles apply when a hurricane approaches any other land mass).

At the same time, our fall-migrating birds are heading from north to south, many flying down the Central Flyway (centered on the Mississippi River), and will be driven west toward Texas ahead of the hurricane's landfall. This will obviously increase the number of migrating birds coming through Texas, and decrease the number significantly that are moving through places to the east of the storm. As the storm approaches and makes landfall, winds will be strong, and birds would probably not brave headwinds in excess of 100mph just to get to the gulf coast. The beaches in Texas are better anyway!

The east side of the storm, with winds out of the south, is the "dirty" side of the storm, as these winds carry more wet debris and are far more destructive than east-to-west winds. So, for example, east Texas should be spared from much wind damage by a hurricane that hits Louisiana. A hurricane loses strength over land also. These counterclockwise winds discourage birds from flying into the nasty east side of incoming storms.

The non-migrating birds in the path of a hurricane just hunker down in a hole in a tree, under the eave of a house or in the center of a large tree. Some, unfortunately, will be killed. Others may get blown far away by a big storm (Katrina blew many birds as far away as Tennessee).

Where am I??

While watching migrating birds may be good in Texas and slow in Florida during a hurricane hitting Louisiana, another group of birds may visit. These are the water/shore birds (“pelagic” species) that live along coastlines. Many of them get "trapped" in the relatively calm eye of the hurricane and carried well inland, to places and habitats they haven't a clue about. Naturally, they turn around and head back to the coast as soon as they can. But it’s not out of the question that someone will see, for instance, a Shearwater or Avocet in north Texas as the remnants of a hurricane pass through. Birds trapped in the eye of an active storm have very little natural food around, since the preceding east-west winds scoured the area via high winds. Pelagic birds normally drop from what’s remaining of the hurricane’s “eye”, into large lakes. (Many pelicans were spotted in and over Lake Lewisville during hurricanes Katrina and Ike).

Of course, the biggest threat to all kinds of birds is the loss of their habitat and natural food. A Cardinal who lived in a Mississippi forest, for example, may have his forest blown down. Or a Meadowlark may suddenly have his meadow underwater. Or a Woodpecker in a Louisiana swamp may have his habitat inundated by salt water from the gulf. This affects both the birds’ homes and their food supply.

So let’s keep both people and birds in our thoughts as hurricanes develop, which they certainly will. 

 

Plant a clump or two to feed birds in a pinch.

 

A clump or two of native grass is an ideal back-up food source for when you go on vacation, or any other time when your feeder might be empty.  (I’m talking about prairie grasses, not lawns)  There are many kinds of ornamental native prairie grasses to choose from such as little bluestem, sideoats grama, Lindheimer muhly, Indian grass, eastern gamagrass - heights from 4 inches to 7 feet.  Texas has more than 100 species. These native prairie grasses are almost maintenance free, and all kinds of birds will magically flock to them. 

 

In north Texas, between late September and early February is the best time to plant them. There’s no fertilizer or special soil amendments necessary- just plant them in our miserable native Texas soil, and water thoroughly once. After that, there's no need to water the native varieties ever again (unless we have a really severe, extended drought). There's no need to prune, mow, or divide ever again either, unless you do so to reduce fire danger, or share the grass with friends (although cutting the clump back to 3-4 inches every January helps it green up faster).

 

 

A typical bird has between 2000 and 4000 feathers. The feathers all start out as living tissue, complete with a blood supply. After they’re formed, however, the blood shuts off and the feathers remain, sort of like our hair or fingernails – basically dead structures.

Feathers are crucial to two very important attributes of birds; warm-bloodedness and flight. To a scientist, a bird’s feathers have all sorts of names such as “flight feathers”, “primary feathers” and things called “filoplumes”. Basically, however, all feathers fit into just two categories: “down feathers” and “contour feathers”.

Loosely arranged down feathers trap large amounts of air, which insulate the bird’s body well. This enables keeps the bird’s body warm and allows warm-bloodedness. Contour feathers help promote flight by smoothing the bird’s body, and making it aerodynamic, allowing flight.

That’s all good to know. But all most of us really care about is that birds’ feathers make them pretty and colorful. (There’s a science-based reason for that too!)

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 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.

 

 

Homeowners Associations powers have to be exercised more realistically

 Starting Sept. 1, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in Texas can no longer prevent residents from installing native plants or drought-tolerant ones – a recognition of the severe drought that continues, and of common sense. 

Although homeowners may still need to submit design plans for approval, a bill passed by the Texas Legislature specifies that a design cannot be denied simply because it uses native plants, which help conserve water. This would include many varieties of native prairie grass, which are extremely drought-tolerant and don't require cutting. Also, there are hundreds of other native Texas plants and wildflowers which often offended HOAs because they aren't "customary" or "typical'.

"Water resources are going to get more and more stressed. It's good to get used to conserving resources by using native plants well adapted to the climate, says Andrea Delong-Amaya, horticulture director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Most plants, especially lawns, on the market require a lot of water and may be native to places like Japan, Argentina, Italy, England etc.

Estimates suggest about one third of the water used byTexas homeowners goes to landscaping. And much of that just evaporates in our heat or runs off, instead of watering the plant. Nationally, landscape irrigation accounts for more than 7 billion gallons of potable (drinking) water used daily. 

 

 

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 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.

Red-tail Hawks breathtaking mid-air courting ritual

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

You may have seen Red-tailed Hawks doing this, and wondered if they flew into each other by mistake.  No mistake!  Courting Red-tailed Hawks form pair bonds by clinching their talons together, high in the sky. Once they’re locked together, they start dancing and falling. This aerial show includes swirls, dips, recoveries, and several near-crashes,while still locked together.  But they know exactly what they’re doing. Finally the two Red-tails swoop from harm’s way unscathed, but with a new relationship.

 

 

Art project for kids and birds     Every year, tons of birds collide with windows (they have no understanding of “glass”). Many die. If you have children they may want to paint designs on the outside of your windows using removable water-colors such as Tempera paint. It's particularly important during fall migration - NOW.  It washes off easily with water, and serves as a warning to birds that something’s in front of them. This could be effective at schools with windows, too. 

Know of any?

 

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 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.

Don't waste your money on automatic, whole-lot mosquito spraying

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird

     They’re almost always an irresponsible waste of your money! They'll repel and kill birds too. Almost all these whole-lot systems use the bug-killer pyrethrum. It negatively affects all natural life that dares to visit, or pass through, your yard. Yes – it will rid your yard of mosquitoes, and may also harm birds and larger organisms such as pets and children.

    Pyrethrum is very toxic. It’s toxic to birds, dragonflies, butterflies, frogs, fireflies, lizards, cats, dogs and you. Use it and nothing will get pollinated and birds will go hungry, since all bugs (and maybe your neighbors’ bugs) are dead. Keep in mind that over 97% of all birds raise their young on insects. Yes, pyrethrum is natural - so are arsenic, hemlock, lead and rattlesnake venom. Experts who have closely examined the research don’t accept pyrethrum as a safe organic product.



Blue-grey Gnatcatcher

It'll discourage all birds that depend on insects for food. If they can't find insects nearby they'll simply starve to death. The list of these birds is too long to include here, but includes our official state bird (Mockingbird) and Texas' champion bug-eater, the Nighthawk (which isn't a hawk, and doesn't fly at night).

 

 

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 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.

Hummingbirds need more than nectar, especially for migration.

Feeding clear nectar to hummingbirds is a given. It mimics the sugary nectar they'd naturally get from flowers. But diets of pure nectar lack much-needed protein, and most species regularly consume small insects in addition to nectar. So a yard with several nectar feeders, but no insects, might be avoided. It could lack the protein-rich insects that hummingbirds need to consume with nectar.

Sometimes, insects are feed to nestlings, which need the protein to grow. Now however, just prior to the long, arduous migratory flight, is when all hummers crave insects the most. It gives them the long-lasting energy they need.

Our hummingbirds eat various insects, from tiny mites and gnats, to small

spiders. They use many foraging techniques, including gleaning them from surfaces of the feeders themselves. Mostly, however, insects are plucked from the air, mid-flight by the agile, speedy birds.

 

 

Don’t look for one in Europe       Hummingbirds are found only in the western hemisphere; basically North, Central and South America. It excludes Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia (and Antarctica). They’ll leave here, migrating to Central America, about early September. When they’ve left, clean your nectar feeders thoroughly and put them away for next year. (One species, the Rufous Hummingbird, which migrates south from the Alaska area, could stay here all winter.) Just to be safe we leave one nectar feeder up for a few weeks, for any migrators from up north that may be passing through.

 

 

    OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus living and practicing in north Texas. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

Aug.21;Attracting birds to your yard at little or no cost

 Birdwatching costs a bit – but not anywhere near as much as golf, sailing, skiing, French cooking, mountain climbing or almost any other hobby you can name. In recognition of our turbulent economy, however, we’re going to discuss ways you can attract birds, economically.

Prothonotary Warbler

By far, the most effective thing you can do is reduce the size of your lawn. Shrinking your lawn down to what you actually use attracts birds amazingly well. The lawn at our house is just big enough for playing catch, barbecues, and stargazing on clear nights.   That’s all the lawn we need; and that’s all the lawn we maintain. The rest is “birdscape”, which attracts birds magnificently.



Catbird

Less lawn means less mowing, fertilizing, pulling weeds, watering and so on. Curiously, running a gas lawn mower for an hour releases the same amount of hydrocarbons as driving a car for almost 12 hours. So the less you run a mower (or edger) the better it is for the environment, including birds. 

To a bird a big, grassy lawn is like a desert – it has nothing to eat, no water, and no place to hide or nest. This item overlaps with the one below, since the result is more places in which to plant birdscape plants.

     In a birdscaped yard, native Texas plants supply plenty of food for our native birds. Plants provide safe cover too – places for them to find shade, nest, or hide from predators. Many plants native to north Texas are “birdscape” plants. However, plants whose descendants are from other parts of the world are a mystery to birds whose ancestors have lived here for ages. Remember - centuries ago wild birds had nothing BUT native plants for their diet. They did just fine !

 To my clients, I always recommend planting at least one large mass (100 sq.ft. or more) of nativre, flowering plants or prairie grasses. That way, birds have a nearby food source in case your feeders are empty.

Birds love suet, but constantly buying it takes money. And putting it in the metal suet cage can be messy. Nevertheless, we feed suet to our birds because it’s good for them - all year ‘round. But when we run out we give them the next best thing.  We slather some chunky peanut butter on some old slices of bread (usually the “heels”) and put it in the suet cage.  Birds love it! And as long as you don’t do it all the time, it doesn’t affect their health.

Summer Tanager

Every bird in the world needs water; both to drink and to bathe in. Particularly in a Texas summer! A full, clean birdbath will attract all the species that don’t ever eat seed - like Mockingbirds, Robins, Buntings and Bluebirds. In fact, a birdbath owner is likely to see the parents lead a group of awkward fledglings to a birdbath, and teach them how to bathe! Birdbaths come in a wide variety of styles – you may have something in your garage that’d work in a pinch. On super-hot days, we’ve put out just about anything that‘ll hold water.

At my home, one of the birdbaths is equipped with a ”dripper” attachment that drips into the basin about every half second.  Birds love it! Just be sure the birdbath in your yard is shallow enough for birds to use (2 or 2½ inches at most). If so, and it’s made well, birds will use a birdbath 12 months of the year.

          Brushpiles attract birds phenomenally, and costs you nothing!  We have four on our one-acre lot. A brushpile is, basically, just a random pile of branches. Ideally, the first foot or so should be made of woody branches 3” to 6” in diameter, criss-crossed to leave lots of empty spaces. Above this, pile woody trimmings randomly leaving plenty of nooks and crannies for birds to find. It works best if you exclude small stuff like leaves and grass clippings.  Every yard should have a brushpile; it’ll prove to be a mini bird-sanctuary and is essential to a birdscaped yard.

 

Red-eyed Vireo

Clearly, if a feeder is full of fresh seed, it attracts birds. But if it's empty more than three or four days, it may never be looked at again. If a feeder is just temporarily empty, however, birds will come back often to see if there’s any of that good, fresh seed!   You decide when to fill a feeder, not the birds. Just because a feeder is empty it doesn't mean you have to fill it.

A wild bird receives, on average, only ten percent of its dietary intake from birdfeeders. So a feeder that goes empty for a few days isn’t critical, as long as there are other reasons for birds to be in your yard.

 

 

 

                 

 OWEN YOST is a Landscape Architect emeritus and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA),  National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is Yost87@charter.net in Denton.