Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Birds and Blooms Extra

One of the best parts of my job is that I’m always learning something new. Whether it’s adding a destination to my travel bucket list—I first read about Mohonk Mountain House, a resort in New York, in “Floral Getaways” on page 38—or finally understanding the different characteristics of eastern and western tiger swallowtails (page 50), the learning never stops. But it’s the amazing bird trivia in this issue that surprised me most. Birds are incredible creatures. Different species have different ways of looking for food, staying safe from predators and even communicating. Have you ever wondered why American bitterns are so loud? Or why birds migrate in spring and fall? Find the answers to these questions and more in “Bizarre Bird Facts” on page 26. I’d love to hear about…

1 Fireworks clematis CLEMATIS HYBRID, ZONES 4 TO 8 Lilac with neon fuchsia bands, these 6-to-8-inch clematis flowers bloom in the spring and again in late summer to early fall. A tall vining plant, Fireworks, like several other clematis vines, prefers cool soil and bright light—think morning sun and afternoon shade. Why we love it: Fireworks’ vining habit creates eye-level dramatic blooms. Plant by the front door and you can’t miss it. 2 Red buckeye tree AESCULUS PAVIA, ZONES 4 TO 8 Red buckeye features 6-to-8-inch tall, upright panicles of tubular flowers between April and May. Hummingbirds flock to the blooms, which cover the tree in a red blaze. Preferring partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, this native is often found in woodland areas and near streams. Why we love…

I watched a flock of pine grosbeaks at a feeder in Silver Gate, Montana. I captured a photo of this beautiful female when she took a break from eating. Tracy Enterline COLUMBUS, MT NESTING SPOT Ironically, pine grosbeaks rarely nest in pine trees. In fact, they build cozy homes of twigs, roots and grass nestled in the sturdy branches of spruce or fir trees. Here in the north, when it’s sometimes too cold to be outside, I like to set up natural feeding stations near the window. This blue jay kept me company by the patio door and was fun to watch and photograph. I think it knew I was there and watching. Jodi Iverson COTTAGE GROVE, MN CROWNING GLORY Blue jays have some serious communication skills! That spiky blue…

WHEN THE LATE-WINTER DOLDRUMS of March hit, the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert comes alive, and gray desert mountains glow yellow with wildflowers that are sure to uplift your spirits. Martin Frentzel ALBUQUERQUE, NM DISCOVER THE DESERT At around 230,000 square miles, the Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in North America, and is host to seven national parks in Texas and New Mexico. THE RICH PINK BLOOMS OF THIS Cherokee brave dogwood popped in the springtime sun in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Pink is my favorite color, so I was drawn to this photogenic feast of color, background contrast and natural light. I was thrilled to capture the beauty of these blooms as they proudly signaled the beginning of spring.Sandra Lemay APOPKA, FL HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, HAS A TULIP FESTIVAL…

My favorite is seeing and hearing the earliest migrating birds. At our house, it’s the eastern phoebe, marked by its pumping tail and insistent FEE-bee, FEE-bee call, and then hearing the trills of the American toads in the evening. Judy Roberts GRAYTOWN, OH Dandelions are my favorite. They may be considered a weed, but don’t tell that to the honeybees who enjoy them. Martha Russell CARMEL, ME The loons’ return to our freshwater lakes and ponds is a welcome sight. They follow the ice out of the lake and reclaim their territory. Debi Blank BAR HARBOR, ME When my dwarf iris and grape hyacinth bloom, I know spring is here. Kathy Eppers ALEDO, TX I love watching for the arrival of robins and sandhill cranes. My mom, daughter and I…

100 A covey of California quail can include up to 100 males, females and young. 2,500,000 Some northern bobwhite quail fossils found in places as varied as Florida and Arizona are up to 2.5 million years old. 80 Large clutch sizes help sustain quail populations. Up to 80% of the population dies each year. 50 Montezuma quail don’t cover much ground. They often stay in a small area, moving about 50 yards or less in a day. 40 Most quail can fly up to 40 mph and run up to 12 mph. 10,000 Mountain quail can live at 10,000 feet, and their babies leave the nest within hours of hatching. 1,000 In 2024, Long Island students raised and reintroduced 1,000 bobwhite quail chicks into a local state park to combat…

Fruit Snacks Tasty Red Columnar Apple Tree Malus x domestica, Zones 5 to 8 Hardy, rust-resistant and virus-free, these super-slim deciduous apple trees can be grown in containers, as hedges or as accent plants in tight corners of the garden. With well-draining, enriched soil, they bloom midseason and produce juicy apples that can be harvested for a month. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun. Size: 8 to 10 feet tall. Grown for: Bright red, flavorful apples appearing within the first year of planting. Growing tip: Plant another variety such as Tangy Green, Golden Treat or Blushing Red near Tasty Red for optimal fruit production and cross-pollination. NO-FUSS SNACKS These compact trees require minimal pruning and thrive with a dose of all-purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.…

BEST PLANTS FOR KOKEDAMA Choose plants that prefer part to full shade. Carmen made three kokedama balls using an elephant ear plant, a ficus tree bonsai and a ponytail palm. Here are some other plant options to consider: orchids, African violets, ivy and spider plants. TKokedama, or “moss ball” in Japanese, involves wrapping a plant’s root system in a moss-covered soil ball, resulting in a natural and visually appealing presentation. Step 1 Mix 1 part bonsai soil, 1 part peat moss and ½ part potting soil. This combination creates good drainage and aeration, which prevents root rot, supports moisture retention and allows roots to stay moist between waterings. Add small amounts of water as you go and combine until the soil clumps together. Your soil mix is right when you…

Q Here in Washington state, the invasive barred owl is taking over the habitat of our northern spotted owl. The local wildlife authorities have decided to cull barred owls to protect the spotted owls. Why can’t these invasive owls just be caught and returned to their habitat east of the Rockies instead of culling them? Sharal Whitecliff HOQUIAM, WA Kenn and Kimberly: Of course the idea of culling one owl to protect another is disturbing and controversial. But capturing the barred owls and moving them across the country would be extremely expensive, probably costing many thousands of dollars per individual. Some probably would die in transit, and releasing them back in their original eastern range could cause more problems: The best barred owl territories in the East are already occupied,…

Attracting a hairy woodpecker to your yard can be a challenge compared to attracting its more common look-alike, the downy woodpecker, but the bright, bold beauties are found across the continent and are worth looking for. Spot the Hairy Hairy woodpeckers choose habitats with tall trees. They are found in pine-hardwood forests and bald cypress swamps, as well as riverine and coniferous forests. These birds also make appearances in woodlots, suburbs, cemeteries, pine-oak woodlands and recently burned forests. Remarkable Range While downy woodpeckers live only north of the Mexican border, hairy woodpeckers are permanent residents from Alaska and Canada all the way south through the mountains of Mexico and Central America to western Panama. Black-and-White Beauties Like its smaller cousin the downy woodpecker, this bird is smartly patterned, with a…

Female house finch RANGE Found year-round in the Lower 48, except for expansive grasslands. APPEARANCE Conical bill and notched tail. Entirely brown with blurry dark streaks that are bolder on the belly. Dark wings and tail have white edges. SOUNDS Mostly short, musical chirps. Females sing mainly during mating season in spring. DIET Feeds on seeds, tender buds and fruit, plus black oil sunflower seeds at feeders. Pine siskin RANGE Year-round in Canada and parts of the West. Flocks may appear one year but not the next in the rest of the U.S., depending on seed availability. APPEARANCE Pointed bill is thinner than other finches. Brown with bold dark streaks all over. Yellow stripes on wings and a notched tail. SOUNDS Calls range from a tuneful sweeet to a harsh,…

The Secret Garden at Huntington Central Park is a wonderful place to visit. While there, I was admiring some beautiful cherry blossoms when this amazing western tiger swallowtail landed in the center of a perfect bloom. My dream came true when I captured the moment in this photo. Linda McCann REDLANDS, CA I have a grandchild with leukemia, and he loves butterflies. I wanted to send him a picture of one from Grandma’s house. This two-tailed swallowtail seemed to know this photo was important because it drank from my Faassen’s catmint long enough for me to get the perfect photo for him. Linda Johnson WALLA WALLA, WA This eastern tiger swallowtail was enjoying the nectar of a coneflower at a park near my home. I love this photo because it…

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