The edition of Bird Beat that arrived in your inbox yesterday had an incorrect link for Janet Krevenas’s moving article about the bird that first got her interested in bird watching and bird conservation. I apologize for the error. The newsletter below has the corrected link. I encourage you to read Janet’s article, which is a stirring account of how birds became a comfort to her in the midst of our collective sorrow after 9/11.

—Christine M. Du Bois, Bird Beat editor.

Welcome to Bird Beat

Welcome to Bird Beat, the eNewsletter of Bird Town Pennsylvania.

Bird Beat is a seasonal communication (summer, fall, winter and spring) for those wishing to manage their properties to support the birds, pollinators, and other beneficial creatures enhancing the ecosystems in which we all live. Bird Beat features a variety of articles including about beneficial insects, gardening with native plants, and best practices for bird conservation—and also 

family-friendly games, movie and book reviews, first-person accounts from bird watchers, fascinating information about bird life, and links to resources, events, and ideas. Bird Beat offers timely tips for bird and native plant enthusiasts like you. We hope Bird Beat will encourage you to engage in your communities with the wonders of the natural world and your own native gardens, from container gardening to full-blown meadows. Please share this newsletter with anyone 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 pabirdtown@gmail.com.

Why are We Afraid of the Itsy-bitsy Spider?

By Karen Campbell

I was an arachnophobe most of my life, and the nightmare-provoking giant spider Shelob in Lord of the Rings was no help. Still, as a kid I loved Charlotte of Charlotte’s Web and was a Spiderman fan. I’m here to say that I have been cured, and there’s hope for you too by getting to know this amazing order of arthropods and their importance in our ecosystem.

Click here to learn about these amazing creatures.

The Forgotten Layer—Shrubs

By Barbara Beck

Many people have beautiful flower gardens and magnificent trees, yet they may notice that something is missing, particularly if they are trying to create a diverse habitat for wildlife.  They look up, and they look down, unaware that an entire middle layer of plants is missing, and this is sometimes referred to as the forgotten layer—shrubs. All diverse habitats have one thing in common—layers—and if homeowners wish to duplicate a natural world, they need to consider the middle layer and add shrubs. 

Click here to learn about shrub gardening for beauty and to benefit wildlife.

Grounds for Hope: An Introduction to

Shade-Grown Coffee

By Gregory Luce

If you love coffee or even only enjoy the occasional cup, you may have heard of shade-grown coffee, but you may be unaware of its importance for migratory North American songbirds. Such popular and familiar birds as Wood Thrush, Cerulean Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Ovenbird, Gray Catbird, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Scarlet Tanager, Magnolia Warbler, and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, all of which can be seen in Pennsylvania in the spring and summer, benefit from this type of coffee cultivation in their Central and South American wintering grounds.

Click here to learn about shade-grown coffees that are both delicious and inspiring!

Sense of Wonder: Birds of a Feather?

By Michele Keane-Moore

Have you ever been outdoors when suddenly it feels like you’re in the middle of a bird storm?  Little, feathered bodies flitting around you—often with a chickadee feeding and vocalizing—and just when you try to see them better, they vanish?  If so, you’ve likely experienced a mixed flock. People say “birds of a feather, flock together” to mean that people with similar values like to group together. But does this actually apply to birds, and are there exceptions to this rule? And why is there often a chickadee in the mix?



Click here to learn more about the whirlwind flocks of mixed species.

Kids’ Corner: Flock Names

By Christine M. Du Bois



Click here for a matching game about the names for flocks of different types of birds. The puzzle includes a hint and an answer key, in case you need help.

Review of A Wing and a Prayer:

The Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds

By Kevin Browngoehl

Following the 2019 report that North America had lost one third of its birds in the previous 50 years, journalists Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal set out on a 25,000 mile journey through North America to document efforts to save our vanishing birds. In this well-written book, they speak with conservationists in Florida employing captive breeding to save the Grasshopper Sparrow and scientists in California using Artificial Intelligence to save the Spotted Owl, among many others.

Click here to learn more about this intriguing book.

Spark Bird

By Janet Krevenas

For some people, a “spark bird”—a feathered wonder igniting the human with a passion for bird watching and conservation—well for some people, that bird comes early in their life. But not for me. I had recently retired from a career as an elementary school teacher, and as I boarded the plane I was beyond excited to be taking a dream trip to see the extraordinary wildlife of Tanzania. The date was September 11, 2001.



Click here to read about Janet's moving experience.

Learn more about the crucial role of leaving your fall leaves on the ground here.

Upcoming Ways to Enjoy and Support Birds in Your Backyard!

By Heidi Shiver

From November through April, take a moment to observe and count backyard birds that you’ve attracted to your property! Sending your results to Project Feederwatch helps scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology track long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. Go here to learn more.

In December, the famous Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will be conducted in your area, where birdwatchers go out in small groups and take a census of the birds they observe. This is a great way to learn more about birds with experienced birdwatchers. If interested, contact Bird Town Pennsylvania to connect you with your local bird-census compiler at pabirdtown@gmail.com.

In February, consider the fun, free, and family-friendly Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Count your backyard birds for just 15 minutes or longer on one or more days of the four-day event (February 14-17, 2025) 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.

Is there someone special you wish to honor for a birthday, holiday, celebration, or a well-lived life? Soon Bird Town Pennsylvania will offer the option to give a gift to do just that while also supporting wildlife. Your name and the name of the person being honored will be included in this quarterly newsletter, Bird Beat. which is emailed to all our leaders and community members, as you wish.

Donations, Memorials and Honors will all be tax-deductible. Check our winter issue of Bird Beat for this great new way to show your love to the people dear to you AND to the natural world at the same time!

Looking Ahead!

• Watch for our winter edition of Bird Beat in February, featuring our regular columns as well as articles on winter plants and owls.

• Be sure to check our website for more resources: birdtownpa.org

• Encourage others to sign-up to receive “Bird Beat,” our eNewsletter.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BIRD TOWN PA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Do you live in the Lehigh Valley? Click here to find out about the Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition's rewarding activities!

Credits for images can be found here.