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Habitat for Backyard Birds
The Author, Kathy Romero, is a scientist and teacher within the environmental field. More importantly, though, she has been an avid bird watcher - and she passes on her "in the trenches" practical learning experiences onto you, the student. Her passion is evident in her Introduction: In April 2003, the Mayo Clinic published an article that said that bird watching could keep your mind sharp and agile. Other researchers have found that bird watching can lower blood pressure. I just like to relax and enjoy the pretty songs and funny antics of backyard birds. The average bird-feeding backyard attracts 15-20 bird species on a regular basis. Her motive is two-fold: provide a safe haven for birds while reducing stress for the human counterpart. Truly a win-win situation. Her first lesson gives us the basis and reasoning for creating a Backyard Habitat - and even details how to become a citizen research scientist. Links to official bird watching webcams are included and are recommended for viewing before continuing. Lesson Two dives right into the care and feeding for your new-found friends. The regular "feeds" are listed, but more importantly Ms. Romero details HOW to safely feed your visitors - the set up required, proper food for the proper species you are trying to help or attract, water provisions, etc. What I found most useful was the list of questions she poses to the student - getting you to really think about what you are doing, and why, and how to achieve the best results. She even describes the greenery - something I really never thought about before reading Ms. Romero's suggestions. Think vertical, not just horizontal! In the section on shelters, Ms. Romero talks about Nesting houses - again, something that outside of my indoor captive birds (conures, budgies and finches) I would never have thought of providing! As usual, the details for varying types are discussed, with excellent links for outside information. Now, the action part. Lesson Three is putting your plan into action - but she does not just leave you hanging by a branch, so to speak! The author guides you step by step - by answering her specific questions she helps you create your first habitat. She lists the bird's preferences and tells you about the food you'll need to provide as well as the shelter best preferred for that species. This allows you to decide if you can provide what is required for the desired species to visit/nest. The last section provides the student with a Blank Form - answer the questions and you have created your own handy reference guide! Go To Page: 1 2 |
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