Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2017 i Birds and Blooms Extra

Friendly.Vocal. Cute. Cheerful. The adorable bird on our cover is all of these things. Chickadees have a special place in this issue and my backyard. I live in Wisconsin, so I see only black-cappeds here, but they are my absolute favorite feeder birds. I can’t get enough of their dashing good looks, bold colors and plump little bellies. Plus, they’re in my area year-round. No matter the season, I literally have a front-row seat—my living room chair—to the playful show these birds put on as they zoom to and from my feeder for a snack. Where you live, you may see just one type of chickadee—black-capped, mountain or Carolina (or maybe two where they overlap). But those common backyard fliers have four more relatives residing in specific habitats throughout North…

CLEANUP CREW When pine siskins aren’t chowing down at thistle feeders, they’re on the ground munching on seeds that messy eaters have dropped. As winter approaches, snowflakes aren’t the only things swirling around your feeders. Pine siskins sometimes fly in as they migrate from high mountains of the West and Canada’s conifer forests to America’s Lower 48 looking for food. These social birds travel in large, noisy flocks that are difficult to miss, though a single pine siskin sometimes appears in flocks of goldfinches, their close relatives. You’ll probably hear their raspy, wheezy twitters before you even see them. But their journey southward isn’t a sure thing. It’s common for birders to see pine siskins in droves one year, then nothing the next. These sporadic and geographically erratic visits are…

If you’ve ever thought about saving seeds from your garden, there’s no time like the present. “Saving seeds allows you to preserve a plant legacy. Many of our seeds are family heirlooms that were passed along from generation to generation,” says Philip Kauth, seed bank manager at Seed Savers Exchange. “It’s also a way to provide food for you and your family for years to come.” If you’re new to the idea, Philip advises, “just do it! Much of seed saving is trial and error until you find the best methods for you.” To get started, follow these steps: 1. Select the Right Plants When choosing plants, go for open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties or heirlooms. Avoid hybrids, because they tend to cross-pollinate with other varieties and won’t breed true to type.…

WATCHING CHICKADEES flit through the treetops is like witnessing master acrobats at work. These adorable birds duck and dodge through branches as they hunt down small insects. Not only are chickadees super cute, they also have winning personalities. They are curious and unafraid of humans, and old-time birders call this classic chickadee trait “confiding.” Although there are seven different species of chickadee in the U.S., all of them have snazzy dark caps and black bibs, and they call a version of their own name. The call varies in pitch, speed and clarity depending on the species, but the easiest version to learn to recognize is that of the black-capped chickadee with its chick-a-dee-dee-dee call. This classic backyard favorite is found at feeders throughout much of the continent, from Alaska and…

WHY I LOVE IT We pack a lot into the Garden State, from sandy beaches along the coast to beloved state parks. Located about an hour west of Atlantic City is Galloway, the township I call home. It’s part of the Pine Barrens—another name for the Pinelands National Reserve, which covers 1.1 million acres. It’s home to different kinds of intriguing flora, including orchids and carnivorous plants. THE WORLD SERIES A short drive from Galloway is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which consists of more than 47,000 acres of protected coastal habitats and hosts over 300 bird species, such as American black ducks, piping plovers and Atlantic brants. If you’re ready to take your birding to the next level, head to the Garden State in May, when the…

SUPPLIES • Assorted gourds, carnival squash, miniature pumpkins or apples • Sharp knife • Pumpkin-carving tools, including a keyhole saw • Apple corer (if using apples) • Taper and votive candles DIRECTIONS STEP 1. Insert keyhole saw; with an up-and-down motion (don’t try to slice), gently and patiently saw a circle in the center of the gourd. Don’t push too hard or the tool may break. (If this happens, finish the work with a grapefruit knife or an apple corer.) When the ends of the circle meet, remove that section of the gourd. STEP 2. If you’re using apples, core the apple first, then use a knife or pumpkin-carving tool to hollow out the apple. STEP 3. Place a votive candle in the hole and enjoy the soft glow throughout the season. KEEP CALM AND…

1 Be a leaf peeper. Go on a short road trip through your state to look at fall leaves. Check online foliage reports so you know when autumn colors are at their peak. 2 Find a festival near you. ’Tis the season for everything from wine and harvest celebrations to Autumn at the Arboretum in Dallas, an epic exhibit of more than 90,000 pumpkins. Visit dallasarboretum.org for details. 3 Visit the local farmers market while you still can. Find colorful harvest items, such as patterned gourds or dried chilies, to jazz up your fall decor or Thanksgiving table. Turn to page 32 for some more inspiration.…

SPLISH, SPLASH! Pine siskins love to bathe in bunches. Here’s how to keep your bath thawed in winter: • Invest in a birdbath heater or de-icer. • Put water in a heated dog dish. • Add a small fountain to keep the water moving. • Pour hot water over icy birdbaths in the morning to loosen ice, then fill with warm water. MIMIC THEIR HABITAT Place feeders near twiggy trees, large conifers and other dense winter vegetation so pine siskins have a place to go for protection against predators and the snow, wind and sleet that often come with the season. Along a tree line or woody area is ideal. GLOSSARY Irruption: When pine siskins or other birds travel outside of their typical ranges in search of critical food sources.…

HEN AND CHICKS This succulent grows in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, and it makes a colorful display in any flowerpot. Waxy rosettes form tight clusters and spread as the chicks grow and reproduce. AIR PLANT These tropicals grow without soil. Air plants look fantastic in unusual containers, architectural forms and glass vases. Mist your air plants with water once or twice a week to keep them looking fresh. AMARYLLIS Plant amaryllis bulbs in November for a flowering display during the holidays. To plant, partially fill a container with potting mix and add the bulb, keeping the bulb’s neck above surface level. MOON CACTUS Brilliant shades of red, pink, orange and yellow fill the cactus ball on top, which masks the chlorophyll that makes the rest of the…

Chickadees don’t migrate, so their winter plumage is extra-dense. On cold nights, they seek out snug cavities or finagle their bodies under flaps of bark—and then they slow things way down. Scientists studying black-capped chickadees discovered the birds go into hypothermia on winter nights, slowing their metabolism and reducing their body temperature. Like an idling car engine, they burn only a small amount of fuel; the food they eat during the day is enough to keep them alive during the long nights. This is where birders can help. Studies show that chickadees in northern regions with access to a feeder have nearly double the winter survival rate of those who have to depend on caught or cached foods. Keep your backyard feeder full and clean! It may mean the difference…

Red-bellied woodpeckers have a darling call and are so adorable as they glide sideways around a tree, pecking for insects. Louise McVay WALESKA, GEORGIA The pileated, because it is so huge, prehistoric-looking and loud. Lori June Houle-Pascador ATLANTA, MICHIGAN I love downy woodpeckers . They bob and sway as they attack suet, as if dancing to music only they can hear. Karen Crozier TOCCOA, GEORGIA Northern flicker because it is the best-dressed bird! Color all over, a polka-dot chest, yellow under the wings and tail—top it all off with a mustache, and that’s one fancy bird! Vita Higgins CLEVES, OHIO The red-headed . I love its beautiful markings and brilliant red head. The ones that visit us take whole peanuts in the shell from the feeder and eat them…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests if you find it. Winners receive a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms . In the September issue, we hid it on page 25. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on Oct. 4, 2017, and ends on Nov. 29, 2017. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email:…

YEAR-ROUND APPEAL Beautyberry’s summer flowers lure butterflies, and its fall fruit lasts well into winter in some regions. In others, especially the South, songbirds devour the violet-hued berries. This native, fast-growing shrub reaches 6 feet tall and wide. TO-DO LIST November Exercise in your own backyard. Just one hour of raking and bagging leaves burns 260 calories. Count birds for science. Project FeederWatch kicks off Nov. 11. Count the birds at your feeders, and then submit your data to Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists. Visit feederwatch.org to sign up and get started. Transplant deciduous shrubs. The best time to give a shrub a new home in the North is after it loses its leaves, before the first frost.…

WAXWING FAVORITES Serviceberries bloom in early spring and then quickly produce berries for cedar waxwings to snack on. 1 Serviceberry AMELANCHIER ZONES 3 TO 9 SIZE: MAY REACH 25 FEET TALL Hard-working and airy, serviceberries grow as trees or multi-stemmed shrubs. Plant a species that is suited to your region to attract birds and other wildlife. The blooms, foliage and bark stand out when grown against a dark background, like the one evergreens provide. Why we love it: Four-season interest! From spring blooms to summer fruits to fall color to beautiful winter bark, serviceberry shines. 2 Eastern redcedar JUNIPERUS VIRGINIANA ZONES 2 TO 9 SIZE: 40 TO 50 FEET TALL, 8 TO 20 FEET WIDE Eastern redcedar and cedar waxwings form a marriage made in bird heaven. Several species adore…

One cold day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota, I saw this female northern cardinal resting on a branch. She seemed to be looking over her shoulder with a light in her eye, and I love the way the edges of her feathers are lit up by the sun in this photo. Roslynn Long BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA While I was checking out a small pond at the Sedgwick County Zoo, in Kansas, this male wood duck swam by. The fall colors from the surrounding trees were reflected in the water and made for some neat photos. Suntesha Wustrack AUGUSTA, KANSAS I can usually count on cardinals, blue jays, sparrows, titmice, towhees and red-bellied woodpeckers to visit my birdbaths and feeders late in the afternoon. One day, this male eastern…

1 READY, SET, LEAP! Rake your leaves into a huge pile. Gather up the youngsters in your life and show ’em how it’s done—jump in, challenge them to a leaf fight or noisily tromp through the crisp and crunchy heap. You’ll feel like a kid again. 2 ATTRACT MORE JAYS Brilliantly colored blue jays are a welcome backyard sight among the brassy colors of fall. The key to luring these flashy and boisterous fliers is peanuts, one of their favorite foods! Place the treats (either in or out of the shell) on a tray feeder or in a feeder made specifically for peanuts. 3 ADD FESTIVE FLAIR While you’re visiting the pumpkin farm or apple orchard, grab a few extra items and use them to add a harvestlike touch to…

Q I put pinewood shavings in my birdhouse for winter. Is this a proper material, and when should I clean out the house? Donn Ross SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN Kenn and Kimberly : It’s always a treat to discover that birds are using your nest boxes to roost at night. To provide insulation in winter, pine shavings are fine to use. Another option is to line the bottom with a few handfuls of clean dried grass. Early spring would be an ideal time to clean out your box in preparation for the nesting season. Q These birds love my suet cakes. What are they called? Karen Boos DOLORES, COLORADO Kenn and Kimberly: These little gray bundles of energy are called bushtits. They get their odd name from the fact that they…

True or False? A. BIRDS USE FIELD MARKS such as stripes to spot other members of their species. B. WHEN YOU SEE A MYSTERY BIRD, looking first at its feet will help you ID it. C. THE MARK above a bird’s eye is called an eyebrow stripe, or a superciliary.…

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”—Jim Bishop 1699 Coreopsis, a native North American flower introduced to Europe in 1699, gets its nickname (tickseed) from the shape of its seeds, which, to some, resemble ticks. 1 Marigolds were used during World War I and the Civil War to treat and dress wounds on the battlefields. 250 There are over 250 different kinds of sedum that are native to many different regions, and this plant dates back to the Romans, who grew sedum on rooftops as a lightning deterrent. 16 In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a national symbol. It’s embossed on passports, and a 16-petaled mum blossom is the Imperial crest. 2 There are two Greco-Roman myths about asters. In the first, the…