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WITH SPRING nearly upon us, now is the time to create a plan that will provide you with a clear picture of your future habitat and a road map on how to get there. The greater the number and variety of habitat components that you provide... the more wildlife you will have to observe and enjoy. Those of you with acreages or farms usually have numerous opportunities to observe wildlife in their habitat. But, for those of you who live in or near urban areas, this may be limited to several days or weekends during the year when you are on vacation. (Photo by Lynn Betts, USDA NRCS) This doesn’t have to be the case. If you are limited on being able to go where there are wildlife, why not establish or enhance the wildlife habitat where you live and bring the wildlife to you. You will save yourself energy, money, and the frustration of having to do parts of your habitat over again if you follow a plan. It can be flexible enough for you to alter your plan as you go along, if your needs or conditions change. And, it can be done no matter what your budget. Keep in mind that shrubs... Read On | ||||
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By Natasha Rasheed PORTAGE, AK-- There is almost 5 ft. of snow in Portage and while it makes for some gorgeous scenery, it also complicates things for caretakers at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. It's a winter wonderland in Portage, with almost 5 ft. of snow; and that means fun for the animals, as well as lots of work for Kelly and Mike Miller. They live and work at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and that arrangement brings with it some unique moments, like Seymour Jr., a Moose who is always waiting just outside the front door. (Kelly Miller and Moose Seymour Jr.) "He came to us about mid-May, after his mom was killed at a construction site in Anchorage. So we've provided a permanent home for him, and since we bottle-raised him, he is pretty friendly," said Kelly Miller, the educational director at the wildlife center. The Millers share a special kinship with these animals, even if it means lots of work on a day like today... Read On | ||
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By Bob Frye MOST PEOPLE, given the choice of living in a newly constructed, colorful home or the shell of a long- empty, worn-out-looking skeleton of a shack, would probably opt for the new over the old. But most people aren't bluebirds. Or chickadees. Or swallows, bats or even squirrels. (Bluebirds on nesting box by Leisa's Images) All of those species and about 20 others in Pennsylvania are cavity nesters, which means they make their homes in the kind of hollow, gray, dead trees that might otherwise seem to have no value. That's put many of them at a disadvantage in recent years. Pennsylvania is losing about 300 acres of open space to development each day, according to statistics compiled by various conservation organizations. Typically, some of the first trees to be cleared when green space disappears are dead ones. "We have lost a lot of nest trees and natural... " Read On | ||
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Amazing! How many times have you received photos from friends and relatives that they found on the Internet but with no credit line? I'd really like to honor this photographer who took this fantastic photograph of two wolves. Do you think they are checking for cavities? For more nature photographs, see the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog. | ||
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The Mad Bluebird Photo 8"x10" Print Double-Matted and framed-- $106 Also available in 5x7, 11x14, 16x20 Usually he's the "Bluebird of Happiness" but here he appears ruffled and disgusted with the onset of colder weather in this photograph by Michael L. Smith. This is one of the most famous nature photographs ever created and originally was seen in a National Geographic Society birding book. Each print is individually hand signed by the photographer. ORDER PRINT OUR GUARANTEE is unconditional and 100% money back, if, for
any reason, you are not satisfied. Find more nature products in the | ||
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Kids Build 650 Bluebird Nest Boxes " I always find the WindStar Wildlife Garden Weekly interesting, educational and informative," says Marion Davenport of Fort Mill, SC. " I thought I'd take a minute to let you know about our bluebird efforts. Each year for the past five, we have provided bluebird house kits at well below cost to the Kindergarten classes at Springfield Elementary School in Fort Mill, SC.This is a father-child project in the school which meets at 7:00 a.m., so that the Dad's can get to work. It is the high point of our year as our entire staff helps with the project. This year we have expanded our efforts to include a second school's kindergarten classes and the Gifted & Talented Students at a third. So far, with this effort, we have added approximately 650 bluebird boxes to our neighborhood. We are rewarded with an ever-increasing awareness of bluebirds and an increasing bluebird population.Just thought you'd like to know." (Illustration by Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Read On Pauline Tom of
Mountain City, TX replies: "In today's very hectic and stressful
world, individuals from all walks of life desperately seek to identify and
connect to a much less troublesome environment. Bluebird enthusiasts have
long held that actively participating in the construction and monitoriing
of nestboxes, along with the care and enjoyment of North America's
significant number of cavity-nesting species, heartily fulfills that
desire." Hunters Are
Conservationists, Too
Significant conservation leaders like Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold were conservationist hunters, and that is how Scott Boettger, Hailey, ID, describes himself. "And just like them and for just as many reasons, I am driven to protect the habitats on which wildlife rely. My passion for and the joy I receive from hunting derives from the thrill of the challenge, the appreciation of the scenery and beauty of wild places, the great pleasure and camaraderie of shared triumphs and tribulations. Most of all, I feel only honor and admiration for the strength and wildness of the animals...I am an optimist. This past year I bought a lifetime Idaho fishing and hunting license for my young son, just before his second birthday. I look forward to sharing my joys and passions for the field with him someday, and if I have anything to say about it there will be grouse in the sage." Read On | ||
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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! (Live every day with enjoyment-- We don't know what tomorrow will give us.)
 Tom Patrick Email: wildlife@windstar.org
Phone: 301-293-3351
Web &
Blog: http://www.windstar.org |
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