For me one of life’s simple pleasures is catering to the wildlife that frequent our yard. We live in a small, rural town where woodland surrounds our property. It isn’t unusual to see wild turkeys and deer trespassing across the lawn.
Now that Spring has sprung, we look forward to being able to open windows, feel the fresh air, and hear the chirps and chippers of our local and returning bird residents.
Filling the feeders has long been a routine and special time I enjoy with my kids. A couple of weeks ago we were performing the endless task of picking pine cones out of the yard, when I was inspired to make our own feeders. These are easy and cheap to make…and a great craft project for kids!
The National Wildlife Federation assists schools in developing outdoor classrooms called Schoolyard Habitats, where teachers and students learn how to attract and support wildlife on school grounds. Students learn about wildlife in the outdoor classrooms, and expand their academic skills in a creative, unique and nurturing environment. For more information about creating a Schoolyard Habitat in your area, please visit NWF’s Schoolyard Habitat website. To learn about a Schoolyard Habitat that was created in Chelmsford, MA please visit the blog posting – Ribbon Cutting at the Byam Learning Garden.
Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses how to certify your backyard or garden with the National Wildlife Federation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat. Visit NWF’s Wildlife Certification website for more information. Seventh of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school.
Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefits of sustainable gardening, and provides examples such as composting, and eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He also discusses water conserving tactics such as using native plants and rain barrels. Sixth of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school.
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Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses options for providing places for animals to raise their young in your backyard, including dense plants, snags, nesting boxes, bat boxes, clean standing water, and host and nectar plants. For a list of recommended native plants for your state, please visit the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Fifth of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school.
Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefit native plants offer in providing shelter and cover for wild birds. The video includes a discussion of using native plants, the benefits of evergreen plants, planting a living fence, creating a brush pile, providing roosting boxes, and leaving dead trees or “snags” in place to create “apartment buildings” for birds and critters. For a list of recommended native plants for your state, please visit the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Fourth of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school.
Third of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school. Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefits providing water either high or low, in a bird bath or in a water garden.
Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the benefit native plants offer in providing seed, berries, nectar and pollen for wild birds. Native plants also attract and support insect populations, a key for any wildlife habitat. For a list of recommended native plants for your state, please visit the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Second of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school.
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First of seven videos from the National Wildlife Federation about establishing a Certified Wildlife Habitat at your home or school. Naturalist David Mizejewski discusses the four components of establishing a wild bird habitat (food, water, cover, and place to raise young), as well as the importance of planting native plants.
Project Feeder Watch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit bird feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locations in North America. It is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada.
Feeder Watchers periodically count the birds they see at their feeders from November through early April and send their counts to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project FeederWatch.
FeederWatch data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance. As a Feeder Watcher, you will learn more about winter birds and how their populations are faring.
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