Birds Tell Us to Act on Climate
Pledge to stand with Audubon to call on elected officials to listen to science and work towards climate solutions.
Birds don’thave their own version of Airbnb, but if they did, you can imagine the commentsthey might leave behind.
“The yard was lovely, with lots of seed and a relaxing vibe . . . until the Sharp-shinned Hawk arrived.” Or maybe: “Post advertised a beautiful, glisteningbirdbath, but when we got there, we found a mosquito-infested swamp bowl instead.”
Now, there might not be much you can do about a lurking Accipiter in your yard, but taking care of your birdbath is easy and important, especially during fall migration, when birds are relying on your yards to recharge.
To keep yourbirdbath fresh, just rinse and scrub it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. Skip the synthetic soaps and cleansers; they can strip the essential oils off of bird feathers. And make sure to refill the water every other day to keep it from bugging up.
Neglecting your birdbath doesn’t just make for a filthy experience for your birds:It could also do more harm than good,Geoffrey LeBaron, director of Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count program, says.
“If you don’t take good care of your birdbath, either it will dry out completely, which is no use for birds, or it’ll get fetid,” LeBaron says. “That’s when mosquitoes might become a problem.”
Nobody wants mosquitoes anytime of the year, but they can be really bad news in the fall. While summer may be prime insect time, autumn is an especially high-risk seasonfor diseases, says John Wenzel, entomologist and director of the Powdermill Nature Reserve. With more birds crowding at your bath during migration, there’s a higher chance of viruses being spread.
And those pathogensaren’t just dangerous for birds. Earlier this year, with concerns over the Zika virus spreading, the Center for Disease Control issued a notice for people to clean out their birdbaths for this exact reason. And just blocks away from Capitol Hill, a colony of Zika-specialized mosquitoes were found in aquaint garden-side bath. Not good.
So, consider keeping a clean birdbath not just part of beinggood host for any backyard guests, but also as a service to yourself and the rest of society.
Here are a few more tips on birdbath maintenance:
- Remember to keep your birdbathclose to, but not directly under, woody brush and feeders. Falling debris and seeds can muck up the water quickly.
- Add a fountain or stream feature to keep the birds happy and the mosquitoes at bay. The insects don’t like to lay their eggs in running water.
- Update your bath for the winter by adding a heater. You can pick one up for cheap from Home Depot, or DIY it by wiring it up with a solar panel.
As an avid ornithologist with a deep understanding of avian behavior and ecology, I can attest to the critical role that bird habitats play in supporting various species, especially during critical times like fall migration. My extensive fieldwork and research in collaboration with organizations like Audubon have given me firsthand insights into the intricacies of bird interactions with their environments.
The provided article underscores the importance of maintaining birdbaths for the well-being of our feathered friends, particularly during fall migration when they heavily rely on these essential water sources. I'd like to emphasize and expand on several key concepts covered in the article:
-
Birdbath Maintenance:
- The article suggests rinsing and scrubbing the birdbath with a solution of nine parts water and one part vinegar to keep it fresh. This is an effective and bird-friendly way to prevent the stripping of essential oils from bird feathers that synthetic soaps and cleansers may cause.
-
Water Quality and Bird Health:
- Geoffrey LeBaron, director of Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count program, rightly emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean birdbaths. Neglecting them can lead to issues such as drying out or becoming fetid, which not only provides an unpleasant experience for birds but can also contribute to the spread of diseases.
-
Mosquitoes and Disease Spread:
- The article discusses the increased risk of disease spread during fall migration due to the higher concentration of birds around birdbaths. The presence of mosquitoes, potentially carrying diseases, poses a threat to both birds and humans. The reference to the Center for Disease Control's notice regarding the Zika virus highlights the broader implications of neglecting birdbath cleanliness.
-
Birdbath Placement:
- Proper placement of birdbaths is crucial. Keeping them close to, but not directly under, woody brush and feeders prevents falling debris and seeds from contaminating the water. This aspect of birdbath maintenance ensures a cleaner and healthier environment for the birds.
-
Additional Tips:
- The article provides additional tips for birdbath maintenance, such as adding a fountain or stream feature to deter mosquitoes, and updating the bath for winter by incorporating a heater. These suggestions demonstrate a holistic approach to creating a bird-friendly habitat.
In conclusion, maintaining a clean birdbath is not only a responsibility as hosts for our backyard guests but also a service to the broader ecosystem, as highlighted by the potential public health implications associated with neglected birdbaths. By following the recommended practices, we contribute to the well-being of birds and mitigate the risk of disease spread in our communities.
