How to Support Birds

Bird Conservation

Nick Fleck

Seven simple actions: (from Cornell's Living Bird magazine)

1. Make windows safer. Purchase stickers. Place feeders 30' from windows or within 3'.

2. Keep cats indoors - there are 11 million outdoor cats in the U.S. and canada. They are a major cause of bird decline. Cats that live in the wild or indoor pets allowed to roam outdoors kill from 1.4 billion to as many as 3.7 billion birds in the continental U.S. each year,

3. Reduce lawns and plant NATIVE plants. I remember when the size of lawns was limited because we mowed by hand. Who needs a bigger lawn? There is a farm in Whately that is owned by the Native Plant Trust (was New England wild flower). It is open from late April to early Oct. Here I add. Avoid using power tools. Rake leaves, shovel snow. Those blowers are horrible for the environment; raking and shoveling helps you stay fit.

4. Avoid pesticides - More than 1 billion tons are applied each year. Let flowers grow in your lawn. It is healthier and more attractive and encourages pollinators. 2,4-D and Roundup are especially bad.

5. Drink coffee that helps birds. Choose shade grown coffee. Here is a commitment of Dean's (in Orange) Beans: “Our commitment to only purchase shade grown coffees supports healthy environments for coffee growers and protects critical migratory bird habitat.”

6. "Plastic" as Ben was advised on (The Graduate). There are more than 1500 million tons in our environment. Avoid single use plastics as well as all plastics.

7. Watch birds and encourage others to watch. Report what you see such as to the ebird project. Volunteer for surveys in our area. Check with the Athol Bird and Nature Club and the Hampshire Bird Club. There are folks in both places I would guess, who can find surveys for you to participate in. There is also feeder watch out of Cornell.

-I am wondering how we can be more effective in getting the youth around here interested in birding.

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8. (from me) Conserve! The less electricity the lower the pollution. Turn off lights! Have power strips to turn off you electronic gadgets when you are not using them. Using alternative energy is great; conserving is better!

Cats that live in the wild or indoor pets allowed to roam outdoors kill from 1.4 billion to as many as 3.7 billion birds in the continental U.S. each year.