Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2022 i Birds and Blooms Extra

Nothing is as soothing as getting out into nature, whatever that means for you. Whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee in the backyard or a woodland trek at a national park, those experiences always come with a sense of peace that everyone deserves. Virginia Rose, a birder and an outing leader for Travis Audubon in Texas, shares the same view. Through her organization, Birdability, she advocates to make enjoying the great outdoors more accessible to people with mobility challenges and other disabilities. To read more about her work and learn about the easy ways you can contribute, flip to page 40 for “Blaze a Welcoming Trail.” Take some of the soothing elements of nature inside by investing in a few houseplants. Mental health experts say that indoor greenery can…

1 Marsh marigold CALTHA PALUSTRIS, ZONES 3 TO 7 Marsh marigolds look like giant buttercups surrounded by their glossy, light green leaves. This popular wetland wildflower, also known as cowslip, pops up in early spring. It grows up to 18 inches tall in full sun or dappled shade in moist or boggy soil. It may go dormant during peak summer. Why we love it: Happier in wetter conditions than most flowers, it also resists deer and rabbits. 2 Bonfire cushion spurge EUPHORBIA POLYCHROMA, ZONES 4 TO 9 Bonfire features yellow flowerlike bracts starting in late spring. This spurge’s mounds do well in well-draining soil and aren’t afraid of drought conditions. A member of the euphorbia family, it needs at least six hours of direct sun, though it can tolerate part…

Early one morning while out birding, I saw a pair of northern cardinals. This female and her mate were both eating berries from a tree. I really like how the female stood out against the scenery of the woods. Andy Raupp MONTELLO, WI I stocked my feeders with sunflower seeds a few years ago in fall after hearing about an evening grosbeak irruption. Sure enough, a single male grosbeak showed up and stayed for two days. He was briefly joined by three females too. Nancy Tully EAST STROUDSBURG, PA Robins are regular visitors throughout the year. They take over my crabapple tree when the fruit ripens in November and December, fiercely defending the tree’s fruit. It’s amazing to watch and to capture all the activity. Sharon Sauriol WASHINGTON, MI The…

Gin Fizz Juniper Juniperus chinensis, Zones 4 to 8 This shrub is perfect for home gardeners who are looking for a “plant it and forget it” specimen. Grow several to create an easy-care hedge. Gin Fizz produces more fruits than a typical juniper, making it a bird magnet. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun. Size: When mature, it reaches 10 to 18 feet high and 7 to 10 feet wide. Grown for: Lush foliage provides year-round privacy and winter appeal. Fruits: Blue-green berries. Benefit: It’s very low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning, if any. PLANT PERKS Although deer will eat anything when hungry, Gin Fizz juniper is touted as being deer resistant. It’s also a popular new alternative to arborvitae in sunny locations.…

1 TEST SOIL Choose plants, fertilizers and soil amendments without the guesswork. Simple, inexpensive soil tests reveal exactly what you need. At-home soil test kits are one option. However, Charlotte Ekker Wiggins, a University of Missouri Extension master gardener emeritus and author, recommends that you contact a local university extension office. She says they offer easy, reliable soil sample testing that includes recommendations of how to amend soil for your desired greenery. 2 PROVIDE SPACE It’s easy to buy too many plants or to overcrowd them, but that can lead to an unruly or unmanageable garden. “Planting plants without room around them to grow can overtax the soil of nutrients, resulting in less-than-healthy plants,” Charlotte says. Haeley Giambalvo, a certified Texas master naturalist and member of the Texas…

Eastern screech-owl Range: Most of the eastern U.S. and the southern edge of Canada, reaching west through the Great Plains. Appearance: The eastern has both a gray and a red morph. About a third of easterns end up with the rufous coloring. Sounds: Its song can be either a descending whinny or an even trill. The owl will occasionally give a screechlike noise if it’s being defensive. Western screech-owl Range: From Colorado and western Texas to the Pacific Coast, south into Mexico and north to parts of Alaska. Appearance: Sports a gray look, but some birds are more brown. Essentially identical to the eastern’s gray morph, though westerns have darker bills. Sounds: Very staccato hooting song, often described as a bouncing ball pattern, or a short trill followed by a…

A spicebush swallowtail visited while I was outside hoping to get a shot of the hummingbirds that stop by my flower bed. The butterfly took flight after sampling my lilies. Nature is a special gift and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Linda Lapre JACKSON, MO I planted butterfly weed in my backyard to provide a better habitat for monarch butterflies, but I was pleasantly surprised to find this spicebush swallowtail butterfly on one. As a child, I always liked to chase butterflies, and as a senior citizen, I’m still chasing them! Joy Brannon RIVERTON, KS This little cutie appeared on my back steps. I did some research and concluded it’s a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. It brought a smile to my face, and everyone I sent the picture to was fascinated.…

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 74. 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. 10, 2022, and ends on Dec. 14, 2022. 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:customercare@birdsandblooms.comVisit:birdsandblooms.com/customercareWrite: BIRDS &…

Fall is one of the best times to become familiar with birds that stick around throughout the seasons, such as the charismatic white-breasted nuthatch. These gray-and-white residents don’t like sharing their space with other nuthatches, but will happily hang out with other species at the feeder. Familiar Sights “They’re a nonmigratory bird,” says Emma Greig, project leader of FeederWatch with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These nuthatches form long-term bonds and defend their home space. She says, “People will have the same pair of birds in their yard. You might see them creeping up and down a tree or on a tube feeder.” Even though they won’t share their territory with other nuthatches, Emma points out that white-breasteds are neighborly with other birds, flocking with chickadees and titmice. This behavior…

SNAP AND GO Never miss a visitor with the BirdDock Smart Bird Feeder. The kit comes with the camera, PVC feeder and a smartphone app. When a bird swoops in, you’ll get a notification and can view the bird on your phone. $199 at walmart.com EASY IDS The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID app is a free portable field guide. Birds & Blooms editors especially love the Sound ID feature, which can identify birds by their calls. Download for free. BIN HARNESS Oufabe’s binocular harness strap isn’t the latest technology, but it’s a game-changer. It takes the pressure off your neck, distributing the weight across your shoulders. $19 at amazon.com KEEP AWAY Out in the field, Thermacell’s Portable Mosquito Repeller holds off insects without sticky or smelly bug…

Q Will it hurt birds if I put cayenne pepper on birdseed to keep squirrels away? Richard Yelverton JACKSON, MS Kenn and Kimberly: Expert opinions differ on this. The taste of cayenne pepper does often repel squirrels, and eating moderate amounts of pepper apparently won’t harm birds directly. But there’s a possibility that loose pepper on birdseed could blow around in the wind, potentially getting in birds’ eyes. Of course, the pepper can also get in the eyes of humans who are adding it to birdseed. In general, we suggest avoiding this method. Instead, place baffles and guards above and below feeders. It can take some experimentation to make the feeders truly squirrel proof, but it’s a safer option than adding irritating materials to the seed. Q What’s the best…

50,000 These eager stockpilers drill thousands of holes in a storage—or granary—tree to cache acorns and other nuts. A family may maintain a tree with up to 50,000 holes. 15 Family groups are extremely protective of their habitat and guard a territory averaging 15 acres. 485 Acorn woodpeckers may use human-made structures to store food. One of the biggest collections found was a wooden water barrel full of 485 pounds of acorns. 17 Females in a group lay their eggs in the same nest. An especially crowded cavity was found with 17 eggs in it. 12 Groups of up to 12 or more adults may communally nest together, sharing a single cavity to incubate and feed hatchlings. WOODY THE WOODPECKER Contrary to popular belief, the well-known bird was inspired…