Terrific news: A woman from East Troy wrote a book called BIRDSCAPING IN THE MIDWEST, A GUIDE OT GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS TO ATTRACT BIRDS.

The information for purchasing this book is at the Birds, Educational table. All of the Central Region States are included in this book.

It is migratory time for the Birds again. Although 85% if the world’s birds do not migrate, most of the songbirds from our regions go to warmer climates. The birds that migrate feed on worms, insects and fruit. And, this food supply is unavailable during the cold winter months of our States. It is interesting to note that our songbirds leave for the south in dabs and dribbles. For instance, in early Sept. many of the males begin to leave. Then females and juveniles. Males and females do not winter together. If a female is larger, she flies further south and vice versa. Males do not sing in winter and since singing is part of the courtship, breeding is not attempted. Birds respond to the hours of daylight so as the hours decrease this signals the time for departure.

Several of our beloved songbirds do winter over. Particularly, chickadees, our Central Region bird. I noticed that the chickadees flying around my yard are eating large amounts of native sunflowers competing with the finches!! As the days become shorter and colder, chickadees seek the safety of spruce and arborvitae for shelter. Sometime, walk by a spruce at dusk. You can hear the chirping coming from inside!!!

If you feed the birds during winter, clean the feeders with a dilute solution of bleach and water. Rinse the feeder thoroughly after cleaning. Water is also a must for birds during winter months. Use an approved heating unit for a bird bath.

Don’t cut down your Black eye Susan flower heads and coneflowers. The birds will eat the seed all winter. And, plant natives for the birds.

Conservation

 Did you know that 5 new butterflies, several snakes and orchids were discovered in Viet Nam recently!! An article appeared in the Sept 27 issue of USA today.

Do not move firewood long distances. Harmful eggs/caterpillars from Gypsy Moths or the Emerald Ash Borer hide beneath the bark of wood. They can be transported anywhere and begin new infestations. Check out www.emeraldashborer.info for more information about Emerald Ash Borer. So far, 15 million ash trees in a 20 county area around Detroit.