The Quarterly Community eNewsletter of Bird Town Pennsylvania |
|
Welcome to “Bird Beat”
Welcome to “Bird Beat,” the quarterly eNewsletter of Bird Town Pennsylvania. Bird Beat is a seasonal communication (summer, fall, winter and spring) for individuals working to use native plants in their properties for the birds, pollinators, and other beneficial creatures that enhance the ecosystems in which we all live. Many of you have received one or more forms of habitat recognition or certification from Audubon, the National Wildlife Federation, or another organization. Bird Beat also includes family-friendly games, movie and book reviews, and fascinating information about birds.
Bird Beat offers timely tips for native plant enthusiasts like you, along with links to resources, events, and ideas to engage your families, friends, and neighbors with the wonders that your native gardens, from container gardening to full blown meadows, evoke. We hope you find Bird Beat informative and valuable. Please share this newsletter with any folks you think would like to subscribe to future editions. Note that you can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. We invite your comments and suggestions for future topics at [email protected]. |
|
Be our Valentine
and show your love for birds by making a donation to our all-volunteer-led Bird Town Pennsylvania Program.
Our leaders work with their municipalities and partner with other organizations to promote community-based conservation actions, creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people. For over 12 years and state-wide, our work has addressed the threats to birds. We've improved habitats by removing invasives, reducing pesticides, and planting natives, and we’ve encouraged the joy of birds by participating in citizen-science programs and community events. Your donation helps fund development and printing of educational materials, preparation of Outreach Kits for community events and libraries, and small grants to our Bird Towns for habitat enhancements, among other activities. Please visit our website to learn more: birdtownpa.org Please click on the Valentine to donate!
|
|
Is this a BAD bug? is a common social media question that bugs me.
By Karen Campbell
Labeling bugs as good or bad is a human construct. Inherently, they aren’t either. Still, many people fear or hate bugs. I look at bugs instead from the perspective of the “web of life.” All living organisms (animals and plants) in an ecosystem have interrelated roles. Click here to learn about when bugs might actually be "bad" and when we need to let go of that concept.
|
|
Buds for Birds: Brighten Your Garden with Phloxes
By Barbara Malt
Do you want to add a splash of vibrant color to your garden from spring till frost? Do you want to attract hummingbirds, butterflies and moths, and bees to boot? Then plants in the genus Phlox are for you!
There are many different species in the genus Phlox. Click here to explore these gorgeous flowering plants.
|
|
How Noise Negatively Affects Birds
By John W. Shiver
Human noisiness matters for birds. Scientists have conducted studies demonstrating that
—birds are significantly affected by noise, including while trying either to attract mates via song, establish nests, or listen for predators, and that
—noise pollution can increase birds’ stress levels and reduce their sizes and life spans.
Click here to learn about the clever ways researchers have devised to understand birds' experiences of our noise, along with what we can do to make our neighborhoods less troubling.
|
|
Sense of Wonder:
The Astonishing Syrinx
By Christine M. Du Bois
How do songbirds make such beautiful sounds? It turns out they have a special voice box with its own super powers. Click here to learn about the marvels that enable birds to sing.
|
|
Kids’ Corner: Name that Tune!
By Christine M. Du Bois
Hey, kids. Grown-ups seem to think that birds sing phrases like these:
“Drink your tea-ee-ee!”
“Potato chip! Potato chip!”
"Tea kettle, tea kettle, tea kettle!"
What’s that all about? Birds sing about tea and potato chips??? !
Click here to find out what's going on and learn some cool ways to remember bird songs. |
|
Exploring Bird Calls On-Screen
By Heidi Shiver
Have you ever noticed bird calls while watching a movie? Bird calls are often used in films to create an atmosphere or mood. To create a creepy feeling, Common Loons are often used, while the Mourning Warbler’s song might suggest a neighborhood or homey feeling. Yet the setting or location of a movie or commercial scene is often not aligned with the bird’s actual territory, so the bird sound is completely out of place. Click here to learn more about which birds Hollywood treats like celebrities, and why bird watchers wish they wouldn't.
|
|
THIS WEEKEND
Enjoy and Support Birds in Your Backyard!
By Heidi Shiver
|
|
On February 16-19, consider the fun, free, and family-friendly Great Backyard Bird Count. Count your backyard birds for just 15 minutes or longer on one or more days of the four-day event and report your sightings online. The National Audubon Society, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Birds Canada learn from this data how birds are doing and how to better protect them and the environment we all share. Go here to learn more and find excellent resources.
|
|
Looking Ahead!
- Watch for our Spring edition of “Bird Beat” in April, featuring articles on Important Bird Areas in our state and on what it's like to migrate by night.
- Encourage others to sign-up to receive “Bird Beat,” our eNewsletter.
Do you live in the Lehigh Valley? Click here to find out about the Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition's rewarding activities! |
|
EDITOR'S NOTE: We welcome suggestions and content for the Bird Town Bird Beat. Submissions can be sent to [email protected] for consideration. Note that submissions will be accorded full consideration but do not ensure inclusion in the newsletter.
|
|
BIRD TOWN PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Heidi Shiver
Vice President: Phil Witmer
Secretary: Janet Krevenas
Treasurer: Tom Price
Board Member: Steve Saffier
Board Member: Lauren Diamond
Liaison to PAAC: Leigh Altadonna
|
|
|
|
|
Bird Town's Bird Beat e-newsletter editorial team
|
Christine M. Du Bois, layout
Karen Campbell, blog publisher
Leigh Altadonna, editor emeritus and consultant
Christine M. Du Bois, editor
|
|
|
|
|
Credits for images can be found by clicking on the links to the full articles. With permission, Carolina Wren image was cropped for Bird Beat. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
