Habitat Happenings

Deer Overpopulation Destroys Forest Ecosystems
Deer overpopulate because humans have reduced or eliminated deer main predators. 
Without wolves and cougars to control their numbers and with deer-friendly landscaping available throughout suburban neighborhoods, deer populations exploded far beyond natural, healthy abundance.

North Point Park in Onekama
My first meeting with Dr. Brian Allen, was – unexpectedly - so much fun. I didn’t know what to expect from this very serious birder. But his relaxed manner made me feel as entitled to be with the birds as he was

Our Twentieth Anniversary Celebration
On the blistering afternoon of Saturday, August 21, about 45 hearty souls braved the hot and humid air to join us at our Habitat Discovery Center to celebrate twenty years of work on behalf of our declining bird populations. Our friend and member, Paul Baicich, traveled from Maryland to present his wonderful program entitled “Our Birding Foremothers.”

Up to a Million Seabirds Die From Plastics Every Year
For at least the last six decades, plastics have been littering the planet’s oceans. Since that time, seabirds like albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters have consumed increasing amounts of plastics, which appear to be food. It is estimated that a million seabirds (as well as 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles) die when they either become trapped in plastic or eat it.

Everybody Loves Warblers
Because there were no summer activities we could share with you, we thought you might enjoy this feature about migrating warblers. We have included photos of five here, along with the places they move to in winter. We have focused on a sixth, the Blackpoll Warbler, a tiny bird with the most amazing migratory journey imaginable.

The Power of One: In this Case, One Couple Doug and Cindy Tallamy
For more than 30 years, Doug has served as Professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He has not only taught during that time, he has authored eighty research articles and three books – the most recent being Nature’s Best Hope (see review in this edition). And he has presented fifty to one hundred programs annually across the country.

SBTH Goes to Washington
This past spring, American Bird Conservancy’s Vice-President of Policy, Steve Holmer, invited our Executive Director, Kay Charter, to join him in lobbying several members of Congress on legislation affecting birds. In mid-October, she returned from two weeks in our Capitol where she met with aides of Michigan Senators Stabenow and Peters, Congressman Jack Bergman (who represents Michigan’s first district), and Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley.

Costa Rica Birding
Costa Rica is roughly the size of West Virginia and yet has a list of 920 bird species! The country is situated between two oceans and includes various tropical eco-zones from coastal lowlands to high altitude mountains.

The Beauty of Native Gardens
Several years ago our director reconnected with friends Gene and Helen Holden, whom she had known four decades ago. Although Kay and her friends had always kept in touch during the holidays, Facebook provided a way to keep up on a regular basis. Gene had created a beautiful horticultural garden in back of their Portland, Oregon home. When Kay saw the results, she told him that if he added some native plants, he would attract more pollinators, and that would help the birds in his area.

More Improvements to Sandia Texas Wetlands
After visiting Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico, Ellen Weinacht was inspired to restore a small section of the ranch she and her husband Don own to a ponded wetland. The restoration was specifically to attract overwintering birds. The project has been so successful, it is now a “must visit” spot for birders. From the beginning, Saving Birds has been a partner in the project.