A world minus half as many birds as there are now

.     "Queen of the Sun" is a documentary film about the importance of bees, how we are killing them, what a world without bees would be like, and what we can do as individuals. Here's the "trailer".

For one thing, there'd be a lot fewer birds around. Because there'd be a lot less natural bird food around. Because there'd be a lot fewer pollinators around.

JUST BECAUSE YOUR BIRDFEEDER IS EMPTY, IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO FILL IT RIGHT AWAY

 

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.

Why don't birds fall off the branch they fall asleep on?

 

Eastern Kingbird

When birds sleep, they usually perch on a branch and stay all night. But why don’t they fall off when they doze off? Because a ratchet-type arrangement of the leg bones, muscles, tendons and feet tightens - the opposite of the relaxation that happens with humans. When they awaken, birds can adjust this, but when asleep the feet clench tightly, like they’re glued to the branch

 

 

Clogged feeders?       Whenever your feeders are outside, experiencing 3 or more straight days of continuous rain and/or high humidity, the seed can clump together and clog. Since birds feed heavily during breaks in the rain, I leave my feeders outside. But when the rain ends, and preferably overnight, I’ll bring them in, temporarily empty the seed into a large pan, break up any clumps, and let it air-dry.

 

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.

Please, please write - they can't

The U.S. wants to crack down on the U.S. trade in elephant ivory and help save elephants from extinction. But opposition groups like the NRA are doing everything in their power to make sure these rules never see the light of day. Meanwhile, African elephants are being gunned down by the thousands, fueled by surging demand for ivory in the United States, China and around the world.

More than 30,000 elephants were poached in 2012 for their ivory, leading scientists to estimate that African forest elephants could become extinct within a decade. Deaths of African elephants now exceeds their birth rate. We must do everything in our power to stop the killing.

The United States ranks as the second-biggest ivory market in the world. Much of the world follows our lead. That means that the proposed regulations can make a real difference in the global fight to protect elephants.

Please send  a message to the President and Fish and Wildlife Service Director, Dan Ashe, urging them to issue strong safeguards and help end our role in the deadly trafficking of elephant ivory.

Just last week, the governor of New York (the country’s largest ivory market) signed into law a bill banning the sale of ivory and increasing penalties for traffickers. New Jersey has done the same. Now the stage is set for U.S. to strengthen ivory laws at the federal level

 

 

The term “weed” has absolutely no botanical meaning or firm definition, unlike words like “tree”, “flower” and “shrub” etc.  It evolved around the 9th century from the Old English word “wiod”. It’s a variant of an earlier Saxon term meaning wild and uncultivated.

 

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.

 

Two birds species that were very similar, but evolved into separate botanical groups

Painted Bunting



Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Buntings and Grosbeaks were once in the same botanical group. After the Ice Ages, they each became differently unique, and separated into two distinct groups (according to fossil records). The two groups evolved very differently. In north Texas, we’re fortunate enough to be in the “overlap” of some of these species. Observant birdwatchers here can see both the Painted Bunting and the Blue Grosbeak.

 

 

Enchanted forest?   The smallest bird in the world lives in a forest in the Sierra Maestra Mountains of Cuba. It’s about the size of a healthy bee; hence the name - Bee Hummingbird. (Like all hummingbirds it makes a buzzing noise too)  This same forest is probably home to a close cousin of the elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker, which was allegedly re-discovered in an Arkansas swamp.

 

 

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.

There are lots of birds waiting to be seen in lots of unusual places

1.     Utility line rights-of-way usually cut through wooded, undisturbed land. That  means plenty of nesting sites and protection for birds.

2.  Small streams entice lots of birds. Some are probably so small they don't have a name, and hardly have any water at some times of year.
 

3.     Sewage treatment plants and settling ponds have lots of good food for birds, and you’ll get used to the smell in about ten minutes.

4.     Urban lakes, ponds and reservoirs are excellent places for shorebirds and waterbirds. Remember, every lake in Texas (except Caddo) is man-made.

5.     Urban harbors and dock areas have lots of birds, especially if the water’s calm and there’s a minimum of boat activity.

6.     Vacant lots and abandoned industrial sites are usually full of birds, largely because of the lack of human activity, and the availability of nesting and roosting sites.

7.     Arboretums and parks are usually good sites, and many have benches and other resting places.

8.     Cemeteries are quiet and restful, often with large, mature trees, which birds love

9.     Roadside rest stops attract birds because of the availability of water, and (almost always) plants have been added to the sites.

10.    Landfills are almost always full of gulls. (notice I didn't say "seagulls" - there is actually no bird by that name)

11.  Farm fields are an excellent source of food, therefore birds.

 

Edges of rural roads provide good habitat – mice congregate here, so many birds hunt here. You can also stay in your car as you birdwatch.

Under the impression that suet is only for winter bird-feeding? That's a totally untrue myth.

Tufted Titmouse on suet

 

Some folks still think suet is for wintertime only. They believe the old myth that in the summer it might melt or be unappealing.  That’s true of basic suet (animal fat) from a butcher shop, popular in the early 1900s.  But packaged suet today is formulated to have a melting point of around 110-degrees. So it’s perfect for Jays, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Chickadees and lots of other north Texas birds, now and all summer long. (They’re hungry all year!)

If the temperature stays over 110,  you're likely to have bigger problems than what to feed the birds.

 

It takes a village....   The young, male Indigo Bunting alters its song to match what it hears from older Buntings in the same area. So small pockets of Indigo Buntings (often seen around here) will all sing very similar songs…with a very localized “flavor”. Youngsters can also tell, just by listening to the adults, if they’ve strayed too far from home.

 

 

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.

 

Do you have enough space for a bird habitat?

Birds don’t really care if you own ten acres or ten square feet. To them, lot lines and ownership of land is meaningless. Birds might forage in a utility easement, hunt food in a nearby field, cavort in a distant park, get a sip of water from a puddle in a parking lot, and eat from a feeder on your balcony. A lot of their routine is up to you.

As people are living closer together, more and more products are being made for small spaces like balconies, patios and “postage stamp” courtyards.  Sure, there are big things like Ray Roberts Park, Clear Creek, Lewisville Lake Environmental Center and the Elm Fork Greenbelt – all great big habitats that attract birds by the thousands.  All birds care about, however, is a good habitat.

 Individual chunks of habitat of any size are absolutely vital. Especially in established neighborhoods with mature vegetation and nearby water.  The National Audubon Society even says the “smaller” places, mostly private lands such as backyards, are just as important and vital. These are habitats for local birds (whose territory may be a quarter-acre or so) or “waystations” for many kinds of migrating birds.

The main concerns for birds seeking proper habitat are: 1. clean, fresh food   2. clean, fresh water    3. nesting places and   4. places to hide from predators.  Size is not a factor!

These can be provided on even a single yard. It could be as simple as using native plants, providing tall, native grasses and shrubs, and putting out some birdfeeders and birdbaths.  Of course, avoiding the use of artificial weed-killers and pesticides is a must. (Native Texas plants are important because they leaf out, set fruit and go to seed in synchronization with local birds’ needs. Birds will seek out familiar, native plants before they resort to perching on or munching on imported, alien species. After all, their ancestors (probably going back thousands of years) have learned to exist on whatever grew natively in this area.  Certain birds, however, are especially attracted to certain native plants and certain environments. Knowing bird species’ likes and dislikes helps you fine-tune a habitat and attract birds in a more effective way.

 One thing that very few birds are drawn to, however, is a big lawn. Lawns offer almost no good food source and no place to hide from predators (like cats). A big lawn has no place in a truly “birdscaped” habitat.

There is no one kind of yard that will attract all kinds of birds. (Just like no one yard is suitable for all plant species.) So my advice is to concentrate on the kinds of native birds that already favor your area.

Putting out the welcome mat for wild birds is simple, especially in a one-lot habitat.  Just provide the four basic elements that local birds look for, starting with plenty of fresh, nutritious food.

 

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.