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By Elizabeth Williamson VINES--poison ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, kudzu--snake through the back yard, girdling trees and strangling shrubs, thriving, scientists say, on the same pollution they blame for global warming. (Mark Smith of Maryland's Agriculture Department, near poison ivy. Photo by Susan Biddle, Washington Post) From backyard gardens to the Amazon rain forest, vines are growing faster, stronger and, in the case of poison ivy, more poisonous on the heavy doses of carbon dioxide that come from burning such fossil fuels as gasoline and coal. Complaints about vine infestation have increased tenfold in a decade, said Carole Bergmann, forest ecologist for the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission. Vines have choked gardens, ruined brickwork, disrupted bird habitat and clogged paths, ponds and air conditioning and electronic equipment. "The woods they used to know have just changed character," Bergmann said. "They're covered with vines. The trees are being weakened and... Read On | ||||
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CAROLINA WRENS are primarily insect eaters, but they will also eat some fruits and seeds. The suet, peanuts and peanut butter/seed mixes they eat from feeders in the winter are good substitutes for scarce insects. They can be attracted to your feeders by providing a brush pile close to your feeding area. They feel more secure with a place to seek refuge nearby. (Carolina Wren) House Wrens build nests of twigs and grass. They lay approximately 6 to 7 white eggs. The incubation time is 12 to 15 days. Wrens will lay 2 broods in the nesting season (typically April to July). The male House Wren builds several nests and the female chooses which nest she prefers. The other nests may be used by the male to raise a second brood with another female and will remain in place to discourage other male wrens from nesting in the same territory. Don't be surprised if you find that a wren has built a nest in your potted plant. You can still care for your plant. Just water it as you would normally, usually every few days. Just be sure that you water around the nest and don't leave water standing in the potted plant. The wren may scold you as you come near her nest, but she will return to the nest after you have... Read On | ||
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By Dustin Dwyer WIND ENERGY is one of the fastest growing sources of new electricity in the United States. For some environmentalists, that's good news. Wind turbines don't spew smoke into the air. There's no nuclear byproduct. But there is an environmental risk. To see it, you have to view the wind turbines (see photo) through the eyes of a bird. Chandler Robbins has spent a lot of time studying how birds kill themselves. He says he would go out on windy nights to the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. He'd stand at the bottom of the 555 ft. tall obelisk and watch the birds at the top: "Just as they get to the tower, they just go around the edge of it and bang, the turbulence from the winds going around the tower, sweeps those birds against the tower, and they're... Read On | ||
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Wingtip To Wingtip Two male Great Egrets fight in mid-air in this terrific photo by Adam Jones For more nature photographs, see | ||
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New Blog Feature ONE OF THE BEST read features of WindStar's e-newsletters and e-magazines has been the "Tips For Wildlife" section. Many of you have asked about adding this feature to the blog. We heard you and we will do it. We'll start it off with this item about safflower. You can add more tips by simply clicking on "Comments" at the end of the blog article entitled "New Feature: Let's Build A List of Wildlife Tips!" Switch To Safflower Seeds Tell us your favorite wildlife tips by clicking Here. If you are registered to receive the FREE American Wildlife Blog, you can add comments to any of the articles, and if you want to pen your own article, send it to wildlife@windstar.org with the subject line "New Blog Feature." | ||
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That's it for this week. Be sure and sign up for the American Wildlife Blog for the latest commentary and please feel free to add comments of your own. Have An EXCELLENT Day in your WILDLIFE HABITAT! (Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Joannes Backyard)
 Tom Patrick email: wildlife@windstar.org
phone: 301-293-3351
web &
blog: http://www.windstar.org |
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