Birds
In November 2013, there was a LOCCNA discussion about how songbirds seemed to be disappearing. There were a number of informed helpful comments:
Steve Martinot (2013 Nov 21):
The hawks have apparently moved north and somewhat east. They soar separately, and play with the crows that make silly attempts to harass them in the air. One of them actually came a visited me. I was on the front porch, and it landed in a tree in the front year. We looked at each other for a while, and it took off.
Beth Lamont: I love this description, Steve - and how observant you were of each other! For what it's worth, the hawks aren't playing with the crows, and the crows' attempts aren't silly, however entertaining to watch. They're going after a serious predator, and not only are they preventing attacks on their own eggs and young, they're warning all birds in the vicinity of the threat. It's amazing to see a whole group of birds "mobbing" a predator (e.g. chickadees mobbing a crow). I once watched a screeching crowd of crows corner and harass a great horned owl for well over an hour, right by Codornices Creek. The owl finally made its escape when the crows took off at sunset...
Nature is marvelous.
From: Margit Roos-Collins, 2013 Nov 18
We've lost our songbirds, too, over the last 20 years -- how many others have noticed that?
We moved here in 1992 and for years, we reveled in the purple finches, house finches, even the occasional gold finch, plus regular robins and others I've forgotten. In the winter, we had handsome flickers in our magnolia. And mourning doves poked around on the ground. The dawn chorus in March was impossible to sleep through, making us a bit haggard but happy. For a while, maybe five years ago, one of the neighborhood Cooper's hawks took to sitting in the same magnolia, and I wasn't surprised that the songbirds made themselves scarce when the hawk was around. But it's been a long time since the hawk was here and the bird diversity has plummeted over the last decade, both before and after the hawk phase. Spring was fairly quiet this year -- not silent, but not particularly melodious or full. Thankfully, we still have the hummingbirds and California towhees, and the annual one-day visit of gazillion cedar waxwings gorging on the cotoneaster berries.
I've thought perhaps it was something we were doing -- we don't have a dog so cats wander through our yard freely, and since we have chickens, we need those cats to keep rodents from getting too comfortable. So I figured that's why the mourning doves were gone -- as slow ground birds, they didn't have a chance. But Linda, you are missing exactly the same birds we are. I've wondered whether they are victims of the well-publicized ravages of bird wintering habitat further south. I never thought there might be a local factor (crows or whatever) that was wiping them out.
So now I think maybe we should meet with the local Audubon folks and/or some bird scientists and figure out what's going on and whether we can do something about it. I'll try to find an appropriate expert. If anyone else knows who to call on, please speak up.
...more on crows and ravens
Turns out that there's been a dramatic rise in crow and raven populations in urban areas far beyond our own, and there seems to be some scientific uncertainty over whether or not that is leading to the concurrent reductions in songbird populations. When I started googling this, I found articles from the U.K. about the arguments for and against reducing crow and raven populations in an effort to shore up the songbirds. At least we are not alone...
Meanwhile, here are links to a two-part series from the Chronicle on the increase presence of these birds in our lives.
From Juliet Lamont, 2013 Nov 18
Crows, Birds, Squirrels, Cats, Trees - and Happy Urban Ecosystems!
It's nice to hear that people are concerned about bird populations in our neighborhood. Love that!
But before maligning ravens and crows (and squirrels, and...), realize they are very much a part of our ecosystem. First, they proliferate in urban areas because we have
removed habitat for sensitive species (and frankly, just decimated habitat for everything);
they are smart and opportunistic, so they deal with the loss of habitat far more effectively than sensitive/rare species do; and
have removed any of their predators. like hawks and other large raptors (raptors can feed on baby crows just as much as anything else!).
Second, it's not true that there are "no other birds" because of the ravens/crows, or even squirrels. We have ravens/crows - and jays! - in our backyard, just like everyone. And a thriving, hilarious squirrel population. But as many of you know, we did a full native plant restoration in our backyard a number of years ago - emphasized "wildlife-attracting plants", and bird/butterfly-attracting plants. To date, we have sighted over FIFTY (yes, fifty) different species of birds in our backyard, since that restoration. A whole set of these are now long-term, nesting residents - and we have an array of delightful baby birds of multiple species every spring. We've seen some truly unusual species, and every year we see something new. And the ravens/crows do perform great "clean-up" services, so don't discount them; it's just about bringing back more of the others to create a full balance.
But here are some key things:
We haven't cut down our trees (in contrast to the tree-cutting epidemic that seems to have taken hold in many yards/streets around here). Mature trees are essential for birds (and other wildlife). Period. You take those down, and you eliminate critical habitat. In particular, species like redwoods, California coast live oaks, buckeyes, etc. are GEMS for birds and all kinds of wildlife. Plus they keep our yard wonderfully cool (not cold) in the heat of summer, and moderate cold temperatures in the winter. Try planting one or two of these! They are terrific. (and yes, we have solar panels on our roof - trees and solar are NOT mutually exclusive). Oh and BTW, trees (and other vegetation) are vital for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
And our restoration was centered around fully restoring and improving riparian/creek habitat (Codornices Creek). I cannot emphasize enough how important creeks and rivers and waterways (wetlands, estuaries, etc.) are to birds and other wildlife. Urban areas absolutely included. There si so much we can do to enhance and restore these vital ecosystems.
We've also provided a very diverse "understory" of native shrubs and plants and ground cover that have pollinating flowers, berries, seeds, etc. - all of which are used CONSTANTLY by our birds, in addition to our birdfeeder. If you provide that diversity, then sure - there will be opportunists out there - but there's plenty for everyone. We've watched in amazement as we see robins, wrens, thrushes, hawks, owls (!), titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, brown creepers, and so many more each utilize the habitat "niches" that suit them best - so that different species are claiming different spaces, food sources, nesting areas, and so on. It's been a real education for us, every day.
We also keep our cats indoors (we're huge animal lovers - but of birds, too). We've created an outdoor, enclosed play-space for them (heavy-duty deer fencing completely encasing a big, rectangular structure on our deck...birds can't get in; cats can't get out), with encased catwalks to/from the space, as well as catwalks and all kinds of games, etc. inside. Cats need as much stimulation as dogs (really true), and we're committed to that. While they don't get to roam freely, they also don't get hit/maimed by cars (probably the biggest cause of death in urban areas, for most pets), terribly diseased or injured in fights with other cats or animals (another one of the biggest causes of illness and death in outdoor cats), and/or trapped in garages to starve, lost and disoriented, etc. And they are ridiculously happy and healthy. People who see our cats have often said they would like to BE one of them . :) There is NO question that this helps maintain our bird population. We keep an eye out for wandering neighborhood cats; this doesn't mean being vindictive or nasty - and yes, they come back - but a decisive "scat cat" with clapped hands dissuades them pretty quickly. Though we do wish more people would move to indoor-only cats, for their health and for the birds... And same for dogs; dogs really create disturbance for birds and sensitive species (this is why there is such concern over owners letting dogs off-leash - though in residential neighborhoods that is simply prohibited). If you are letting your little four-pawed friend race around your yard (or sending her/him off-leash into the neighborhood), you'll definitely have birds moving to other, quieter spaces nearby. That's a basic trade-off.
We're very careful not to keep trash or other things outside as easy foraging material for opportunistic birds. I think most of us don't do that - but it's a big deal if you do.
In sum, if you're counting on your birdfeeder as being the way to attract birds (without the vegetation, trees, water sources, etc.), then you are going to find that you lose out...birds need the full ecosystem - and that is also what protects them form marauding species. So try and add those other elements - in addition to the feeders - and you may find yourself happily surprised. PLus you the benefit bees, butterflies, good bugs, and so many other species.
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has a great "backyard habitat" program (certifications and all), that can give you some good ideas about all of this. And not only will you build and protect local bird populations, you'll provide habitat for migratory birds as well - these migratory links and refuges are plummeting worldwide, which is decimating bird and butterfly populations.
NWF Backyard Habitat program website is at:
http://www.nwf.org/Home/How-to-Help/Garden-for-Wildlife.aspx
Our urban areas can be one of the real bright spots of habitat restoration - not equivalent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but extremely important in their own right. Numerous studies have confirmed the need for MORE rich, diverse urban habitat - and the tremendous benefits of these urban habitat pateches and corridors to birds and other species.
So - enjoy the chance to give our fellow species more room and places to breed, feed, and roam...well worth it!
(and feel free to e-mail me with questions/ideas/etc. - we've tested lots of different natives, and have great hummingbird and butterfly/bee plants as well...)
- Juliet Lamont