Meanwhile, back in Philadelphia, (which is hot enough to feel like Arizona today) the temperature was 97 degrees in the shade with 100% humidity, which kind of feels like trying to breathe in a swimming pool.

I was lethargic, the dogs were lethargic, and so even were the hummingbirds, which normally spend a large part of the afternoon fighting over control of the feeders. It was hard to move, hard to even think.

About 8pm the sky suddenly turned black and a huge thunderstorm broke with violent wind. Trees dropped their branches all around us, but just as soon as it had swept in, it was gone. And with it the horrible heat, leaving a cooling breeze in its wake.

One gift of today was that the Goldfinches have returned from their nesting activities and are now greedily sucking down the seeds from the native sunflowers (Helianthus). They always disappear from the garden when they nest, and I am so excited when they return.

Goldfinches are a common sight in gardens across the UK, known for their cheerful chirping and their vibrant yellow plumage. If you are looking to attract these beautiful birds to your garden, a wildlife garden designed with their needs in mind can be the perfect solution. In this article, we will look at what you can do to create a goldfinch-friendly garden and what kind of plants and features are best for these birds.

The first step in creating a wildlife garden for goldfinches is to provide a good source of food. Goldfinches feed primarily on nyjer seed, which is a small, black seed that is widely available in pet shops and garden centers. In addition to nyjer seed, you can also provide sunflower seeds, millet, and other birdseed mixtures. Be sure to place the seed in a bird feeder that is easily accessible to the birds and that is positioned away from potential predators, such as cats.

In addition to food, goldfinches also need a safe place to nest and raise their young. A birdhouse designed for finches is ideal for this purpose, as it will provide a safe and secure shelter for the birds. The birdhouse should be placed in a quiet and sheltered area of the garden, away from potential predators.

Plants play an important role in a goldfinch-friendly garden. The birds are attracted to gardens with a good supply of nectar, which is produced by flowering plants. Some of the best plants for attracting goldfinches include teasels, sunflowers, dahlias, and marigolds. In addition to providing nectar, these plants also offer a great place for the birds to perch and rest while they feed.

Water is also important for goldfinches, as they need it for drinking and bathing. A small bird bath or pond is ideal for this purpose, and you can even add a fountain or other feature to provide some movement and interest in the water. Just be sure that the water source is located in a safe place, away from potential predators.

Finally, goldfinches need a safe and secure place to roost at night. A tall shrub or small tree can provide a great roosting spot for the birds, and you can even plant several shrubs or trees to create a “roosting area” in your garden.

I recently reviewed Heather Holm’s new book Pollinators of Native Plants, where I asked readers to leave comments telling us what they were doing for pollinators in their gardens (We had 2 copies of this book to give away to randomly chosen commenters).

Having pollinators in your garden is essential for the growth and production of many of your favorite flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators are essential for the health of our ecosystems and play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity. Here are some tips for attracting more pollinators to your garden.

Provide a source of nectar: Pollinators feed on the nectar produced by flowers, so planting a variety of flowering plants is one of the best ways to attract them. Choose native plants that bloom at different times of the year to provide a continuous source of nectar. Some great plants for attracting pollinators include lavender, salvia, cosmos, and sunflowers.

Offer a source of water: Pollinators need water for drinking and to cool themselves off on hot days. A shallow dish filled with pebbles and water will provide a safe place for pollinators to drink without the risk of drowning.

Create a habitat: Provide a safe place for pollinators to rest and lay their eggs by planting a variety of shrubs, flowers, and herbs that offer shelter and nesting sites. Native species, such as milkweeds, are especially good for attracting butterflies.

Avoid using pesticides: Pesticides can be harmful to pollinators and other beneficial insects, so it’s best to avoid using them in your garden. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods, such as handpicking pests, using companion planting, and attracting beneficial insects to your garden.

Plant in clusters: Pollinators are attracted to large groups of flowers, so planting in clusters is more effective than planting individual plants. Grouping plants of the same species together will make it easier for pollinators to find the flowers they need.

Provide a source of pollen: Pollinators feed on pollen as well as nectar, so planting plants with large, visible stamens will provide a good source of food for them. Plants like dandelions, goldenrods, and daisies are great for this purpose.

But last fall I was away for several months as I became my mother’s full-time caretaker while she was ill. And my wildlife garden finally succumbed to all of this neglect. The Norway Maple seedlings grew large, the Sweet Autumn Clematis swallowed everything is sight, English Ivy happily climbed all of the trees, Japanese Stilt Grass has made a thick impenetrable carpet, and lots of other invasive thugs have moved in.

Very few of my native plants remain in the mess that has swallowed my garden. I have been working diligently trying to pull these invaders out of my garden, but to little effect. There is just too many invasives and not enough hours in the day.

Here is a strategy to help you start over with planting your wildlife garden:

Remove all invasive plants: Before planting anything new, it’s essential to get rid of all invasive plants. This includes digging out their roots and removing any seeds.

Plan the garden: Decide on the location and size of the garden, and make a list of native plants that attract wildlife.

Test the soil: Get a soil test to determine soil pH, nutrient levels, and any potential contaminants. This information will help you determine what plants will thrive in your soil.

Choose native plants: Select plants that are native to your region and that support local wildlife.

Implement weed control: To prevent invasive plants from returning, use mulch and other weed control methods to prevent weed growth.

Plan for maintenance: Develop a maintenance plan to keep the garden healthy and free of invasive plants. This may include pruning, watering, and fertilizing.

Monitor progress: Regularly monitor the garden to ensure it is healthy and thriving. Make any necessary adjustments to the garden to maintain its health and to keep invasive plants at bay.

By following these steps, you can successfully start over with planting your wildlife garden and create a thriving, sustainable environment for wildlife.

Libby was very excited because she had her mom’s old iPhone and she wanted to document our adventure and develop her photography skills. Here’s a look at our day through the eyes of this budding naturalist.

Wildlife refuges, nature centers, and many parks are devoted to teaching kids about the wonders of nature, and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is no exception.

The visitors center is full of interactive displays, dioramas, and taxidermied specimens so that children can see various wildlife species up close, and to practice using binoculars. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge has a binocular lending program, and even kids binoculars that you can borrow during your visit (you just have to leave your car keys with them to remind you to return the binoculars before you leave).

The large glass windows look out to a bird feeding station, where the Wild Turkeys often come to feed. This is exciting for the kids, and for me as well, because large birds that don’t move very fast are wonderful to teach kids how to use their binoculars to get good looks at these birds. Learning to focus on large birds makes it much easier to learn to see smaller birds, too.

There are lots of educational signs placed throughout John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and these are every bit as much fun for kids as seeing any wildlife, and are a fun way for Libby to practice her reading skills and teach Libby and Penny about the nature each sign is describing.

In fact, Libby loved the signs so much, she photographed many of them. The Wild Turkey on the sign was almost as much fun as seeing the Wild Turkey come to visit the feeder.

The bridge over the impoundment is lined with painted signs showing various wildlife, which 3 year old Emmett found particularly exciting.

Also on the bridge are some life-sized paintings of the wing span of several raptors.

Some are the same size as a 5 year old’s “wingspan”

But the Bald Eagle takes all 3 kid’s arms to be as big as this Eagle.

Libby, Penny, and Emmett have spent so much time outside enjoying nature with their parents that they are quite adept at creating their own fun, like finding a “balance beam” and practicing the art of the dismount, just like the Olympics.

The bridge also has a powerful spotting scope for looking at far-away birds (or each other), which was great fun for Libby, Penny and Emmett.

There’s are lots of strategically-placed benches to rest and have a picnic snack

Turn off the TV, unplug the iPads, and take your kids outside to discover the natural world nearby. Your kids will learn so much, and you will have many fond memories of the fun adventures you will have!

Plant a wildlife garden, and you will have endless days of discovery with your own favorite nature kids right in your own backyard.

I had found an ad for the Cape May Spring Weekend, and I found it so intriguing I quickly took the plunge and signed up for this birding festival.

I really knew nothing about birding, all I knew was I had gotten bitten by a bug to learn more. So off I went with a cheap pair of binoculars that I found out were mostly worthless and a desire for knowledge. I was like a sponge, soaking up every tidbit of knowledge I could gather.

I spent 4 wonderful days looking at birds from dawn until dusk and attending lectures and workshops in the evening. And then I sat with my field guide until late in the night studying all of the birds I had seen each day. It was heaven (especially after I purchased my first grown-up pair of binoculars and saw all the things I had been unable to see before).

What I didn’t know about this birding festival before I went are really the things that make Cape May a premier birding destination for birders around the world:

• I did not know that some of the best birders in the world live in Cape May and regularly lead field trips and workshops there.
• I did not know that Cape May is a major spot for both spring and fall migration and that huge numbers of many different kinds of birds pass through this spot every year.
• I did not know that I would gain some expertise in identifying the notoriously difficult shorebirds and warblers by immersing myself in bird identification all day like this.

It’s that time of year now when you too can attend a birding festival and expand your knowledge of birds and learn about their life history and how you can help them in your wildlife garden.

For bird lovers and nature enthusiasts, birding festivals are a perfect way to explore the world of birds and connect with other like-minded individuals. These festivals provide a unique opportunity to learn about birds, attend guided birdwatching trips, and participate in workshops and presentations led by expert birders. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, birding festivals are a great way to discover the joys of birdwatching and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

One of the best things about birding festivals is the opportunity to see a variety of birds in their natural habitats. With guided birdwatching trips, you can visit birding hotspots and see birds up close and personal. This is a great way to learn about the different species of birds and their behaviors and habitats. Whether you’re interested in shorebirds, waterfowl, or songbirds, there’s sure to be a birding festival that caters to your interests.

Another great aspect of birding festivals is the opportunity to learn from experts in the field. With workshops, presentations, and lectures, you can gain a deeper understanding of birds and their behaviors, habitats, and migration patterns. Whether you’re interested in bird identification, bird photography, or bird conservation, there’s sure to be a workshop or presentation that caters to your interests.

In addition to learning about birds, birding festivals are also a great way to connect with other bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. With like-minded individuals from all over the world, you can share your experiences, knowledge, and passion for birds and nature. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or simply want to chat with others who share your interests, birding festivals are a great place to connect and network.

Here is a list of some of the most popular birding festivals, along with their dates and locations:

Great Texas Birding Classic: April, Texas

Cape May Birding Festival: May, Cape May, New Jersey

Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival: November, Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count: December 14th to January 5th, Nationwide

Oregon Shorebird Festival: September, Pacific Northwest

Great Backyard Bird Count: February, Worldwide

Delaware River Shorebird & Songbird Festival: May, Delaware River Valley, New Jersey

Pacific Northwest Birding Festival: September, Pacific Northwest

Mountain Bird Festival: June, New England

Birding and Blues Festival: March, Gulf Coast, Texas

Please note that dates may vary from year to year, so it is always a good idea to check the festival’s official website for the most up-to-date information. These festivals are popular destinations for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts, and provide a great opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with others who share your interests. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, be sure to attend a birding festival and discover the joys of birdwatching for yourself!

Amazing, but true. It’s barely spring and some areas in the northeast still have snow on the ground but some nesting birds have already begun their work.

Bald Eagles build their nests in mid-February and are already sitting on eggs. We are all very excited that the Eagles have chosen to nest for the second year in a row at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in the shadow of the Philadelphia airport near my home.

This wildlife refuge is right in the path of planes taking off from the airport so it was huge news in my area last year when the Bald Eagles successfully nested here last year for the first time ever.

Also be on the lookout for Great Horned Owl nests. They actually built their nests in late January and the fledglings should be taking their first flight quite soon. Although these nests are quite large, they are skillfully hidden high in the trees. When you get to spot those adorable white fluffy heads poking up above the nest, it’s an amazing sight.

Barred Owls started nesting early this month. I’ve had the great pleasure of having a pair of these owls spend the winter in and around my wildlife garden for the past 10 years. I just love spending winter evenings standing on my deck and listening to them calling back and forth.

The Eastern Screech Owls have just started building their nests and laying eggs. The fledglings should be taking their first flights in the beginning of May. You may still have time to entice these birds to nest in your wildlife garden by hanging a nest box just for them.

American Woodcock are filling the dusk sky with their amazing mating flights. Check with your local nature center because many offer evening Woodcock Walks where you’ll get to see this amazing display.

Nesting birds are one of the greatest joys of creating a wildlife garden for me. I am truly amazed at this miracle of life every year.

I was in search of the Harlequin Ducks who congregate in the surf at the end of the long rock jetty that protects this barrier island from storm surge and beach erosion, but I found a few other treasures along the way.

Close to shore we spotted Common Loons and Red-breasted Mergansers.

Red-breasted Merganser

Purple Sandpipers searched for food among the rocks. It was an amusing dance: the waves would crash over the rocks, scattering the birds. But they quickly came back to feed before the next wave crashed.

Purple Sandpipers

A young Harbor Seal lay perched on the jetty. It took several minutes to realize that this seal was injured. Its front and rear flippers were bloody and it was not moving anything but its head. We called the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, which is fortunately located close by, and attempted to keep the people a good distance away from the seal until help could arrive.

Eastern Harbor Seal

Male Long-tailed Ducks are particularly spiffy.

Long-tailed Duck

And then, finally, my favorite duck, the Harlequin. I just love these beautiful birds. And the fact that they like to hang out at the end of the jetty where the surf is really rough never ceases to amaze me.

Harlequin Duck

By now, I know you’re wondering what these ocean loving animals have to do with your garden. Sometimes we need to look beyond the garden gate because all actions have consequences. And the consequences of our consumptive lifestyle are huge.

Trash pollutes our waterways and harms birds

This scene is repeated at shorelines around the country and around the world. In fact there’s a floating island of trash in the Pacific Ocean that is larger than the state of Texas.

This debris is putting the mammals, birds, and other ocean creatures at risk. Please do not toss your trash near our waterways including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands including the ocean.

Each of us can make a conscious choice to reduce the amount of waste we add to landfills each year. Less consumption equals less trash. Please do your part to help protect the birds, mammals and other ocean life. Their future depends on in, and so may ours.

Dave Foreman in Rewilding North America: A Vision for Conservation in the 21st Century eloquently describes six “wounds” that the human population is inflicting on ecosystems which are contributing to the decline of species.

This is part 4 of my series on healing these wounds, and today we’ll be talking about the wound of exotic species.

When an invasive species is introduced into a natural wildlife habitat, it can have significant and negative impacts on the ecosystem. Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that are not native to an area and that often thrive and spread in their new environment, often at the expense of native species.

When an invasive species is introduced into a wildlife habitat, it can outcompete native species for food, light, and other resources, leading to declines in populations of native species. This can have a ripple effect throughout the food chain, as predators and other animals that rely on the native species for food may decline as well.

In some cases, invasive species can also alter the physical structure of the ecosystem, such as through the rapid growth of dense thickets that shade out native plants and disrupt the flow of water. This can result in changes to the local microclimate and the loss of important habitats for native wildlife.

In addition, invasive species can also introduce diseases or parasites that can harm native species, further exacerbating their decline.

Overall, the introduction of invasive species into a wildlife habitat can have devastating effects on the ecosystem, leading to declines in biodiversity, changes in the composition of species, and alterations to the functioning of the ecosystem. It is important to be mindful of the potential impacts of introducing non-native species and to work to prevent the spread of invasive species to protect our natural wildlife habitats.

Invasive and exotic species by human introduction are fast destroying wildlife habitat across the country. One need only visit the Florida Everglades to see this in action. Burmese Pythons, Melaleuca, Old World Climbing Fern, Brazilian Pepper, Apple Snails, Walking Catfish, and so many more invasive species are destroying habitat used by birds and so many other species of wildlife.

In a word, yes!

But before we go into that, did you know that there are many other ways to certify your habitat garden?

Here’s a few:

1. The North America Butterfly Association Butterfly Garden and Habitat Program has an exhaustive resource area for butterfly gardeners, including garden ideas, host plant lists, suggested plants, and regional gardening guides.
2. Canadian Wildlife Federation‘s certification is similar to that of the National Wildlife Federation
3. Monarch Watch Waystation Program is a great way to create stopover spots for Monarch butterflies during their amazing migration and for breeding new generations.
4. Many state divisions of the National Audubon Society have habitat certification programs. For example, here is Pennsylvania’s and Oregon’s. Check with your local Audubon to find the program for your state.
5. Many townships and cities have habitat certification programs specific to your immediate area. Your local nature center will probably be the best place to get this information.

While I have several friends who have certified their gardens in ALL of the above ways, you probably want to pick just one to start with.

The Benefits of Wildlife Habitat Certification

• As you go through the process of certification, take a good look at all suggestions in the materials. You will discover many tips and ideas that you could easily add to your garden.
• Every small action you take can have major benefits for the critters in your area. The certification process will help you find many small actions that you can easily implement.
• The sign that announces that your garden is certified is not just about your pride. However, you should always be proud of your choices to protect wildlife. By doing just one thing, you have already done more than most people in this country. Congratulations! You are making a difference.
• But the sign is a very useful way to start conversations with your neighbors. Often when neighbors see your sign, they will ask you questions about what it means. This is the perfect way to begin to encourage them to make more positive choices, too. You can begin to teach all of your neighbors about the joys of sharing your space with birds, butterflies, pollinators amphibians, and other critters.
• And, finally, purchasing your sign is a great way of supporting these organizations who are doing great work in protecting wildlife.
]]> https://www.ecosystemgardening.com/conservation-gardening-in-practice-how-to-install-a-dragonfly-pond.html Sat, 28 Jan 2023 15:12:02 +0000 http://www.ecosystemgardening.com/?p=1322 One of my favorite things to do in summer is to sit by a pond and watch the dragonflies and damselflies perform their aerial acrobatics. These amazingly beautiful and agile fliers create a swirl of color before my eyes, darting across the surface of the water and flashing in the sun like precious jewels.

There are 447 species of Odonata in the U.S., including 316 dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) and 131 damselflies (suborder Zygoptera).

Dragonflies and damselflies require clean, pollution free water to successfully reproduce. Pollution includes sewage, factory effluent, agricultural run-off, and pesticides. No dragonfly can breed in badly polluted water, and dragonfly populations are often used as quick indicators of river and stream health.

Water sources include ponds, seeps, slow-moving streams, faster rivers and streams, marshes, bogs, and lakes.

You can create a welcoming dragonfly habitat in your Ecosystem Garden by installing a dragonfly pond, which, depending on the size you choose, will attract at least a few dragonflies to your pond to lay their eggs, and bring some of these winged wonders to your garden.

Choose a level location which receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. You can use a preformed, rigid pond kit or you can install a flexible liner. What you want is a pond that has varying water depths to accommodate submerged, floating, and emergent plants.

While the dragonflies do not actually feed on the plants, some dragonflies insert their eggs into the stems of emergent plant. Others use the plants to perch on, submerged vegetation is used as a refuge by the larva, and some dragonfly nymphs use the stems to crawl out of the water when it is time to emerge into their adult form.

It is important to keep in mind, and to steel yourself, that when you go to the pond store to purchase your liner the staff will be intent on selling you a lot of things that you do not need for a dragonfly pond. First, they will try to sell you pumps and filters, telling you that you must have them to keep your water clean. When was the last time you came upon a natural pond that had these items? That’s right. Mother Nature does not provide these gadgets and you do not need them either.

Next, they will try to tell you that you must have fish in your pond, especially those expensive fancy koi. You have to understand that the profit margin on fish is much higher that the margin on your liner, so of course they want you to buy fish. You must steel yourself and repeat the mantra, “I do not need fish in my pond.” Keep repeating this the whole time you are in the pond store, and you will emerge unscathed!

The usual reason for telling you that you have to have fish is because they will eat mosquito larva. But dragonfly and damselfly larva are carnivores that thrive on eating mosquito larva, so give them the opportunity to do just that. The fish will actually eat the dragonfly larva. Many dragonflies will not leg eggs in any pond with fish so you will be defeating your purpose if you stock your pond with any fish.

Each adult dragonfly is only present for about a month. The remainder of the year is spent mostly in the larval or nymph stage. Because of this, it is important to remember that a dragonfly pond is not a swimming pool or a bathtub. That muck in the bottom plays an important role in providing shelter to the nymphs. Do not remove too much of this or you will be throwing away next summer’s beautiful flying jewels.

Now that you’ve installed your dragonfly pond, pull up a chair, grab your binoculars, and watch these amazing aerial acrobats flit around your pond. It’s better than TV any day!

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