Program on economic benefits of open spaces

People generally don't understand how keeping land in its natural state benefits them financially. A program on Thursday, April 2, in Bethlehem will explain these issues and examine the policy aspects of open spaces.

"A growing body of evidence shows that nature directly impacts our economy, quality of life, health and cost of living," said Lehigh Valley Bird Town, which is sponsoring the event. "We all expect clean air, water, natural beauty and dry basements, without understanding where they come from and what they are worth."

Natural systems save money, create earnings, avoid unnecessary costs and attract economic development. They affect recreation, water supply, health, pollution, habitats, flood control.

The program is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. at Camel Hump Farm, located at 3816 Christian Springs Road, in Bethlehem. 

The presenter will be John Rogers, an environmental consultant, award-winning planner, researcher, teacher and author. Trained as a plant ecologist, planner and businessman, Rogers has worked on environmental policy issues across the United States and Canada for both public and private organizations.

Camp Hump Farm is located between Linden Street and Brodhead Road. Details and an interactive map locating Camel Hump Farm is available here.

The Lehigh Valley Bird Town is sponsored by Audubon PA.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of March 27

Pine Warbler

Migration season continues in the Lehigh Valley with the arrival of several species. Others, such as the American Robin, have increased in numbers now that the days are getting longer and spring is finally here.

A Pine Warbler, a Northern Rough-winged Swallow, an Eastern Phoebe, a Double-crested Cormorant, an American Pipit and an Eastern Meadowlark made appearances within the week ended March 27. The Brown Thrasher, seen infrequently during the winter, was reported in two different locations.

Meanwhile, several species of waterfowl are getting ready to head north to their breeding grounds in Canada. Still being seen are Redheads, Ross's Geese, Snow Geese, Cackling Geese, Canvasbacks and Red-breasted Mergansers.

That said, here is the complete list of bird sightings for the past week. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Monroe County
Ross's Goose, 1 on March 23.

Brodheadsville, Monroe County
(at Weir Lake)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 on March 24 and 2 on March 25.

Saylorsburg, Monroe County
Pine Warbler, 1 on March 23 at a private feeder.

Riverton, Northampton County
Redhead, 3 on March 20 and 4 on March 25.

Brown Thrasher

Martins Creek PPL Power Plant area, Northampton County
Ross's Goose, 2 on March 22.
Cackling Goose, 1 on March 22.
Canvasback, 5 on March 20; 8 on March 21; 7 on March 22; 1 on March 25; and 2 on March 27.
Redhead, 23 on March 20; 31 on March 21; 28 on March 22; 2 on March 25 and 2 on March 27.
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on March 21 and 1 on March 27.
Rough-legged Hawk (light morph), 1 on March 22.
Brown Thrasher, 1 on March 25.

Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on March 22.
Iceland Gull, 2 on March 21 and 2 on March 22 (along Route 191 near Newburg).
Bonaparte's Gull, 1 on March 21 (along Route 191 near Newburg).

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Brown Thrasher, 1 on March 25.

East Allen Township, Northampton County
(along Arrowhead Road)
Ross's Goose (blue morph), 1 on March 22.
Lapland Longspur, 1 on March 21.
Also seen: Tundra Swan and American Pipit.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Rough-legged Hawk (dark morph), 1 on March 23.

American Pipit

Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County
(at Long Lane and Tillage Road)
Eastern Phoebe and American Pipit.

Trexlertown, Lehigh County
Wilson's Snipe, 4 on March 21 along Cetronia Road.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Dorney Park pond)
Canvasback, 3 on March 20; 5 on March 21; 5 on March 22; and 2 on March 23.
Redhead, 7 on March 21.
Greater Scaup, 3 on March 21.
Double-breasted Cormorant, 1 on March 14; 2 on March 15.

Alburtis, Lehigh County
(at Smith Lane)
Lapland Longspur, 1 on March 21.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at Church Road area)
Ross's Goose, 1 on March 21; 2 on March 24.
Snow Goose, approximately 12,000 on March 23.
Cackling Goose, 1 on March 22.
Canvasback, 5 on March 24.
Redhead, 1 on March 22 and 1 on March 23.
Greater Scaup, 1 on March 23.
Red-breasted Merganser, 8 on March 22.
Bonaparte's Gull, 3 on March 26.
Also seen: Common Raven and Eastern Meadowlark.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at Deep Creek Lake)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on March 22 and 1 on March 23.
Cackling Goose, 2 on March 25.

Gilbertsville, Montgomery County
Bullock's Oriole, 1 through March 20 along Oberholtzer Road.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Glaucous Gull, 1 on March 22.

Several Locations
Tundra Swan, Bald Eagle, American Woodcock (displaying), Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Pine Siskin.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Mealworms are a treat for bluebirds

Eastern Bluebird with his catch

Not everyone gets excited over these squirming larvae but mealworms are a four-star meal for bluebirds. A simple open tray feeder stocked with these wiggly creatures can make bluebirds regular visitors to your yard.

Mealworms are the larvae for the darkling beetle, a pest that sometimes is seen in granaries and other grain storage sites. With a size of 1 to 1½ inches long, these insects are packed with protein which is essential for the muscle development of birds.

Mealworms can be fed to birds as live insects or in dried form. The live insects are preferred but birds will accept the dried form as well.

If your backyard is a mix of trees and bushes with little open space, you probably won't see bluebirds even if you do offer them mealworms. However, many other birds savor mealworms. Mealworms are a treat especially at this time of year when insects are scarce.

Mealworms are especially good to have during nesting time for good nourishment for developing chicks.

Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, Tufted Titmice, chickadees, catbirds and starlings enjoy these nutritious larvae. Robins, mockingbirds, catbirds and starlings especially enjoy mealworms if placed on an exposed tray feeder.

Live mealworms should be offered in a shallow glass or plastic dish with straight, smooth sides. They can climb out of rough containers. You won't have that problem with dried mealworms of course!

Larger birds, especially starlings, can gobble up an entire offering of mealworms if left unchecked. Special feeding stations enable smaller birds, including bluebirds, Tufted Titmice and wrens, to dive in through small holes at either end. The starlings are too big to enter the holes. Wire mesh or a plastic panel blocks starlings on the sides.

Bluebird enters holes on ends; clear panel blocks starlings

The Bird House has containers of live mealworms available now through October. The larval stage lasts from 90 to 114 days, more than enough time to feed the birds. 

Here is one technique we use to keep mealworms alive and nutritious if they aren't to be served right away: When you bring the mealworms home, place them in the refrigerator to put them in a semi-dormant state. Every third day, we return them to room temperature and offer them an apple slice or a bit of a carrot. Watch them wiggle to the top of the container to eat! After 12 hours of feeding, return the mealworms to the refrigerator. They'll be plumper and make a more nutritious meal for the birds to eat.

The Bird House has several different types of feeders specifically designed for offering mealworms to birds. Check the feeder that best fits your circumstances.

Hummingbirds dash through the Carolinas

In the past week, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have flown more than 350 miles, zipping through the Carolinas. The most intrepid hummingbird has reached the Lynchburg area of Virginia.

At that rate, early arrivals should be arriving in the Lehigh Valley within two weeks.

Last year Ruby-throats were reported in the Lehigh Valley on April 13. The date of sighting varies from year to year, ranging from March 29, 2008, to April 27, 1998.

Are your hummingbird feeders ready? Have they been thoroughly cleaned from last year's use? (Don't forget to clean the nectar ports.) Do you need a replacement feeder or an additional one? Would you like to try the hobby for the first time? 

The Bird House offers a variety of hummingbird feeders in different designs and price points. We also offer nectar powder. Unlike homemade sugar-based nectar, the powder does not need to be boiled. Just add tap water. Also available are specially designed hooks from which the feeders can be hung. We have nesting material specifically for hummingbirds. And we have an assortment of other accessories.

It's important to have hummingbird feeders in your backyard at the time the birds arrive. They'll be hungry from their migration. Few insects or nectar-laden flowers will be available for them. By placing hummingbird feeders out now, you may be able to entice the birds to stay in your yard all summer!

You can report your first sighting online. Click on hummingbirds.net/map.html. You'll be directed to a form that will ask you to list the month, day and location. Only male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are to be reported because they are so easily distinguishable. Several species of female hummingbirds look somewhat alike. Also, do not report sightings from previous years.

Housing plan at Green Pond bird site advances

The developer Traditions of America won a step toward building a 261-unit gated housing community along Green Pond Marsh.

The Bethlehem Township Planning Commission this week waived several township planning regulations after hearing from its engineer. The issues dealt with the width of roads, speed limits, sidewalks and curbing.

The development plan remains in its preliminary stages. The township is awaiting the results of its own environmental assessment of the project and an evaluation of storm water and traffic concerns. An investigation of into a possible Native American settlement at the site may also be required.

The plan must meet muster with several federal and state agencies that deal with environmental concerns. 

A full report of the planning commission's actions are available at Bernie O'Hare's blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings.

(You also might wish to read an essay written by a Bethlehem Township resident about Green Pond Marsh. The essay appears in Mr. O'Hare's blog, which recently won a Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association award for his coverage of Green Pond Marsh.)

Traditions of America, based in Radnor, wants to build a $108 million gated housing development that caters to affluent singles and couples age 55 and older. 

The 119-acre tract includes Green Pond Marsh, a National Audubon Society-designated Important Bird Site where 162 different species of birds have been seen over the years, many of them migratory and eight that are endangered or threatened in Pennsylvania.

The developer promises not to build in the marsh but opponents of the project are skeptical. They question whether runoff from the housing complex would harm the wetlands and compromise bird life. Details are available here and here.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week of March 20

Cackling Goose

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended March 20. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Portland, Northampton County
(from the Portland footbridge)
Canvasback, 1 from March 13 to March 15.
Redhead, 7 on March 13.
White-winged Scoter, 1 on March 13.
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on March 13.

Riverton, Northampton County
Redhead, 6 on March 14; 7 from March 15 to March 17.

Martins Creek PPL Power Plant area, Northampton County
Cackling Goose, 1 on March 16.
Canvasback, 7 on March 14; 4 on March 15 and March 16.
Redhead, 1 on March 13; 22 on March 14; and 23 on March 15.
Red-breasted Merganser, 3 on March 14 and March 16.
Rough-legged Hawk (light morph), 2 on March 17.
Lapland Longspur, 1 fly-by on March 18.

Sandt's Eddy, Northampton County
Canvasback, 1 on March 15.
Redhead, 1 on March 15.

Canvasback

Plainfield Township, Northampton County
(at the Grand Central Landfill)
Rough-legged Hawk, 1 on March 13.
Iceland Gull, 2 on March 13.

Hugh Moore Park, Northampton County
Redhead, 9 on March 14.

Bethlehem, Northampton County
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on March 13.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Rough-legged Hawk, 1 on March 16.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on March 18.

Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County
(at Long Lane and Tillage Road)
Barnacle Goose, 1 on March 17.
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 fly-by on March 17.

Trexlertown, Lehigh County
Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 on March 18 along Cetronia Road.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Dorney Park pond)
Canvasback, 3 on March 13 to March 15; 7 on March 17; and 6 on March 18.
Redhead, 10 on March 13; 4 on March 14; 6 on March 15; and 7 on March 17.
Double-breasted Cormorant, 1 on March 14; 2 on March 15.

Lake Muhlenberg, Lehigh County
Red-breasted Merganser, 2 on March 13.
Double-breasted Cormorant, 1 on March 13.

Snow Goose

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Tundra Swan, 84 on March 18.
Ross's Goose, 1 on March 18 and March 19.
Snow Goose, approximately 20,000 on March 19.
Cackling Goose, 1 on March 15; 1 on March 18 and 1 on March 19.
Northern Pintail, 162 on March 16.
Redhead, 2 on March 14; 8 on March 17; 3 on March 19.
Short-eared Owl, 1 on March 16.

Gilbertsville, Montgomery County
Bullock's Oriole, 1 to at least March 18 along Oberholtzer Road.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Canvasback, 2 on March 17.
Redhead, 1 on March 13.
Greater Scaup, 4 to at least March 14.
Red-breasted Merganser, up to 6 through March 14.
Common Merganser, approximately 583 on March 13.
Also seen: Common Raven and Fox Sparrow.

Various Other Locations
Bald Eagle, Kildeer, Tree Swallow and Pine Siskin.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Hummingbird migration is underway

Orange denotes the range of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

What better sign of spring is news that Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have made the arduous crossing of the Gulf of Mexico and have flown into America's southland.

Most of the sightings have been in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, George and Florida, but one intrepid individual has reached South Carolina already. Judging from the map, it appears that the bird arrived along the coast near Charleston on March 17.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds usually arrive in the Lehigh Valley around the time you're desperately trying to finish your tax returns. Last year the Ruby-throats got here three days ahead of the April 15 tax deadline. But the date of sightings varies from year to year. The earliest reported contact in the Lehigh Valley occurred on March 29, 2008. The latest was April 27, 1998.

Why do some birds get here early and some get here late? Lanny Chambers, who operates the reporting service, said it's impossible to know and he won't speculate.

With snow having fallen on Friday, it may seem that the idea of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds visiting our backyards is premature. Not so. Again, migration is dependent upon many factors of nature not just temperature.

Are your hummingbird feeders ready? Have they been thoroughly cleaned from last year's use? Do you need a replacement or an addition? Would you like to try the hobby for the first time? The Bird House offers a variety of hummingbird feeders in different designs and price points. We also offer nectar powder. Unlike homemade sugar-based nectar, the powder does not need to be boiled. Just add tap water.

You can report your first sighting online. Click on hummingbirds.net/map.html. You'll be directed to a form that will ask you to list the month, day and location. Only male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are to be reported because they are so easily distinguishable. Several species of female hummingbirds look somewhat alike. Also, do not report sightings from previous years.

Lanny Chambers, of St. Louis, began the reporting service in 1996. A dedicated hummingbird enthusiast, his project is truly a labor of love.

Should I stop feeding birds now that winter is over?

A goldfinch, chickadee and titmouse share a feeder

Customers sometimes will ask whether they should stop feeding birds once winter ends. It's up to you but there are some factors you might wish to consider in making your decision.

Temperature. Obviously we are getting longer days and warmer temperatures. But even into April we may experience chilly nights. Birds could use a quick pick-me-up in the morning.

Natural food is scarce. We had a rough winter. Snow was on the ground for two months. By now, natural food such as berries have been consumed. So have any seeds left on plants that managed to stay above the snow level. The pantry is bare! Foraging is more difficult and more time-consuming in early spring. You can give the birds a break by offering them a handy source of nourishment in the form of seed or suet.

Migratory birds. The spring migration has begun. Birds are about to leave the Lehigh Valley for breeding grounds north of us. They need to put on some fat for the long journey ahead. After all, the trip involves several hundred miles of flight! The departing birds don't leave all at once. Some are ready for the journey now; others will stay in the Lehigh Valley through April. It's a good idea to continue feeding if you see wintertime species such as Dark-eyed Juncos, White-throated Sparrows or White-crowned Sparrows. Feeding them won't encourage them to stay. Birds operate by their own internal clocks and know when it is time to migrate.

Newcomers will be arriving. Migration works both ways. Some birds will be leaving but many more will be arriving. They'll be exhausted from their long flight from the tropics where they spent their winter (lucky birds!) and they'll be looking for something to eat. Hasn't that happened to you after a long journey by car? Among the species soon to arrive are House Wrens, Gray Catbirds, Chipping Sparrows, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Eastern Towhees and a few species of warblers.

Two species in particular could use your assistance. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds need nectar to fuel their high metabolism. When they arrive in mid-April, welcome them with a feeder full of sugar water. Nectar from flowering plants is hard to come by in early spring. Relatively few plants are in bloom. Another species, the American Goldfinch, will benefit from Nyjer seed throughout the summer. Goldfinches ordinarily rely on thistle and coneflower seed, but those plants won't set seed until late July or early August. 

Breeding. At this time of year, many species of birds are preoccupied with finding mates and building nests. A dependable source of seed or suet might reduce the amount of time they would spend on foraging for food. Also, if you've gone through the trouble of placing a bird house or two in your backyard, the surest way to get tenants is by luring them with nearby food. It would be a shame to have your bird house go unoccupied!

Male Cardinal feeding the youngsters

Egg-laying. Female birds will need extra calcium for egg-laying. Females must change their diets during the nesting season to obtain calcium-rich nutrients. Eight hours prior to laying the eggs, the female sheds 60 percent of her body's calcium to produce the shell. Offering suet with a calcium supplement helps a great deal. The suet also benefits fledglings who need extra calcium to build strong bones.

Feeding the young. Once chicks have hatched, the parents will be quite busy foraging for food for their youngsters. Have a handy source of seed or suet nearby to help them meet the demands of their hungry young! Keep in mind that most species have more than one brood per summer. Also, the less time parents are away from nests finding food, the better protected the chicks are from predators.

Enjoying the backyard. If you'd like to see and hear a lot of songbirds in your backyard, by all means offer them seed and suet throughout the year. Summer is a great time to watch the action. You'll become acquainted with the regulars and enjoy the antics of the young as they transform from clumsy fledglings to confident adults.

Take this advice from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: "At the Cornell Lab, we keep our feeders filled year-round in the Treman Bird Feeding Garden for the benefit of the birds and the pleasure of our visitors."

One note of caution. If you live in rural wooded areas, you might wish to consider carefully the idea of feeding in the spring. The Penn State University Extension Service cautions against feeding birds if a black bear has been seen in your area. Bears arouse from hibernation in early spring and are hungry and often attracted to bird feeders. They are fond of black oil sunflower seeds. The bears will return as long as food is available, and this can cause problems for both you and the bear. It helps to bring in the feeders are night.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of March 13

Surf Scoter (male)

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended March 13. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Portland, Northampton County
(from the Portland footbridge)
Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 to at least March 9 (a female).
Surf Scoter, 1 on March 8.
White-winged Scoter, 2 to at least March 9; 1 on March 10
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on March 8.

Belvidere, New Jersey
Redhead, 10 to at least March 8.

Martins Creek PPL Power Plant, Northampton County
Canvasback, 6 to at least March 12.
Redhead, 21 to at least March 8; 16 on March 12.
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on March 8.

Easton, Northampton County
(at the "Forks of the Delaware")
Iceland Gull, 1 on March 9; 2 on March 10.

Williams Township, Northampton County
Harris's Sparrow, 1 to at least March 13.
"Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrow, 1 to at least March 13.

Greater Scaup (male)

Bethlehem, Northampton County
Peregrine Falcon, 2 on March 9.

East Allen Township, Northampton County
Snow Bunting, 2 on March 6 along Arrowhead Road.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Pine Siskin, 5 on March 11.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at the Dorney Park pond)
Double-crested Cormorant, 1 to at least March 10.
Canvasback, up to 6 at at least March 10.
Redhead, up to 4 through at least March 10.

Lake Muhlenberg, Lehigh County
Canvasback, 6 to at least March 9.
Redhead, up to 15 through March 8; 9 on March 9.
Greater Scaup, 1 to at least March 8.
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on March 9 and 2 on March 10.

Common Grackle

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, Lehigh County
Common Redpoll, 1 on March 7.

Gilbertsville, Montgomery County
Bullock's Oriole, 1 to at least March 13 along Oberholtzer Road.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
White-winged Scoter, 1 on March 7.
Redhead, 1 on March 10.
Red-headed Grebe, 1 to at least March 11.

Several locations
Killdeer, Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds were reported at several sites this past week.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject heading.

Hmmm ... These aren't in my Audubon field guide

First squirrels ... now deer!

Deer can empty a feeder in one night. Controlling them is not always easy.

A platform feeder hanging from a pole or tree is an open invitation for deer. They will even use their tongue to suck seed from the small ports of tube-style feeders. Cracked corn and black oil sunflower are especially favorite foods.

Keep in mind that a whitetail deer when standing on its hind legs can reach a height of 8 feet. More about that later.


Safflower seed

Several folk remedies have been used in the past. Try hanging human hair, pungent Irish Spring bar soap, noisy chimes or aluminum pie plates around your feeders. These techniques sometimes work; on other occasions deer ignore them out of hunger.

A simple solution is to replace your regular seed mix with straight safflower seed. Safflower has a bitter taste that most mammals avoid, yet most backyard birds eat readily. (Two exceptions are starlings and blackbirds; for some reason they won't eat safflower.)

Another option is to add hot pepper solution to your seed. Mammals find the hot pepper distasteful but birds won't notice they difference. They have few taste buds (and apparently a cast-iron stomach). The Bird House carries Cole's Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce, which should work against deer too.

Hot pepper sauce

Deer have habits. You may wish to stop feeding for a week or two. Deer will look elsewhere for food. However, they do have good memories. They may return to a feeder just in case the food is back.

Yet another possibility is to raise the height of the feeder. The deer may be unable to reach the seed. The disadvantage, though, is that refilling the feeder may present a chore for you. Make sure any pole is strong and anchored deeply into the ground. Otherwise a deer could lean against it to reach the seed. (Bears are notorious for this technique.)

Some people hang their feeders on a cable between the house and a tall pole—a system similar to wash lines in the past to dry the laundry. Place the pole well above the deer's reach. Use the pulley to bring the feeder to the house to refill.

One final option is to take your feeders indoors at night. Remove any leftover seed that has fallen onto the ground during the day. That way, there will be nothing of interest for the deer.

And keep in mind that time takes care of itself. The snow is disappearing and green shoots soon will emerge. With any luck, your problem with deer may lessen.

Hawk Mountain seeks trail helpers

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is looking for volunteers to serve as "trail stewards" to help maintain the bird-watching paradise in Berks County.

With 8 miles of trails, half a dozen scenic overlooks and 70,000 visitors a year, Hawk Mountain needs all the help it can get to keep its most heavily used 2,500 acres of land in tip-top condition.

"Land management is an ongoing challenge, and a dedicated team of trail volunteers can make an enormous difference," Hawk Mountain said in its request for assistance.

If you'd like to help, visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on March 21 for an orientation. The day begins at 10 a.m. in the Education Building and lasts until 3 p.m. Please bring a lunch and bottled water in a day pack. Also wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. You'll spend several hours outdoors.

Information and registration: Ryan Beltz at 610-756-6000, extension 220. Click for website.

Friday: gardening for birds and butterflies

Spring is just 10 days away! Join Barbara Malt on Friday evening as she explains natural gardening practices and techniques to benefit birds and butterflies in your backyard.

The program, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, will take place at 7 o'clock Friday evening at the Wildlands Conservancy Education Center Building, 3701 Orchard Place in Emmaus. The program is part of the Audubon Society's monthly meeting but everyone is welcome to attend.

Ms. Malt is vice president of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and co-author of Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity, the must-have guidebook for bird watchers in the region.

The Wildlands Conservancy is located between Allentown and Emmaus. From Route 29, turn onto Riverbend Road and proceed 0.8 mile, then turn at the first right onto Orchard Place. Continue another 0.3 mile down a hill. At the small bridge, turn right and cross into the Sanctuary. The Education Center is situated behind the barn. You'll find the main parking lot toward the left of the bridge; parking for people with disabilities is available next to the Education Center. 

For information, call 610-965-4397 or visit the Wildlands Conservancy's website.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week of March 6

Horned Lark

The first signs of spring migration are here. 

This week's Lehigh Valley bird sightings contain several species that have left their wintering grounds in the south and are migrating through our area on their way north to breed.

Among the migrants are the Greater and Lesser scaups, Northern Harrier, Field and Fox sparrows, and Rusty Blackbird.

The sightings for the week of March 6 were compiled by The Bird House using data derived from the online recording service, e-bird.

Portland, Northampton County
(at the Portland pedestrian bridge)
Hybrid of American Black-duck and Mallard, 1 on March 4.
Common Goldeneye, 60 on March 4.
White-winged Scoter, 2 on March 4.
Ring-billed Gull, 25 on March 4.
Also seen: Greater Scaup and Bufflehead.

Martins Creek PPL Power Plant, Northampton County
American Pipit, 4 on February 27.
Common Goldeneye, 102 on February 27.
Bufflehead, 20 on February 27.
Horned Lark, 8 on February 27.
Redhead, 13 on February 27.
Eastern Bluebird, 5 catching insects on the Delaware River, on February 27.

Ring-billed Gull

Easton, Northampton County
(at the "Forks of the Delaware")
Ring-billed Gull, approximately 500 on March 3.
Herring Gull, 30 on March 3.
Also seen: Red-winged Blackbird.

Easton, Northampton County
Bald Eagle, 1 on March 5.
Also seen: Chipping and White-throated sparrows.

Williams Township, Northampton County
"Gambel's" White-crowned Sparrow, 1 at least through March 1.
Harris's Sparrow, 1 at least through March 1.
White-throated Sparrow, 20 on March 1.
American Tree Sparrow, 6 on March 1.
Field Sparrow, 2 on March 1.
Pine Siskin, 8 on March 1.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 on March 1.
Lapland Longspur, 1 on March 1.

East Allen Township, Northampton County
White-throated Sparrow, 42 on March 5.
Downy Woodpecker, 2 on March 5.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, 2 on March 5.
Hairy Woodpecker, 1 on March 5.

Field Sparrow

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
Fox Sparrow, 1 on March 3.
White-throated Sparrow, 2 on March 3.
White-crowned Sparrow, 1 on March 3.
Also seen: American Kestrel, Rough-legged Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Dorney Park pond)
American Black Duck, 12 on March 6.
Hybrid of American Black Duck and Mallard, 1 on March 6.
American Coot, 2 on March 6.
Hermit Thrush, 1 on March 1.
Also seen: American Wigeon and Bufflehead.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at the pond at Wegmens)
Red-winged Blackbird, 2 on March 4.

Lake Muhlenberg, Lehigh County
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 on March 6.
Common Merganser, 13 on March 6.
Ring-billed Gull, 3 on March 6.
Redhead, 8 on March 4.
Gadwall, 2 on March 4; 1 on March 6.
Also seen: Northern Harrier, Gadwall, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Hooded Merganser.

Rusty Blackbird

Lake Leaser, Lehigh County
Rusty Blackbird, 1  on March 1.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, 3 on February 28.
Brown Creeper, 1 on February 28.

Emmaus, Lehigh County
(at Pool Wildlife Sanctuary)
Pine Siskin, 5 on March 6.
Also seen: Downy and Hairy woodpeckers.

Macungie, Lehigh County
Black Vulture, 5 on March 2 (flyover).

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
Brown-headed Cowbird, 2 on March 1.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 on March 1.
Pine Siskin, 5 on March 1.
Also seen: White-throated, White-crowned, Fox, Swamp and American Tree sparrows.

Fox Sparrow

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Cooper's Hawk, 1 on February 27.
White-throated Sparrow, 15 on February 27, and 15 on March 15.

Also seen: Downy and Hairy woodpeckers.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Ring-billed Gull, approximately 120 on March 3.
Common Merganser, 75 on March 3.
Greater Scaup, 4 on March 3.

To report bird sightings to Dave DeReamus, send an e-mail to becard@rcn.com with the word "Birdline" in the subject hearing. The sightings are reported to the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

New Product: Cylinder Feeder

Looking for a novel feeder to keep songbirds visiting your backyard to fuel themselves in this harsh winter? Try the new Cylinder Feeder.

The feeder is designed to accommodate a cylinder, a 7½-long, 4-inch-thick log that contains a variety of food that just about every bird will find tempting. The center of the seed cylinder is drilled through its length to keep the seed in place.

A wire base provides stability and a place for birds to perch. The feeder is refilled by unscrewing the finial atop the roof.

The feeder consists entirely of powder-coated metal for long-lasting use.

A nice feature of the feeder is that it can be hung either from a shepherd's hook or tree limb.

The seed cylinders, which are sold separately, are a favorite of woodpeckers, but songbirds also enjoy a meal of split peanuts, sunflower chips, pumpkin seed, raisins, cranberries, rendered beef suet and cracked corn. Nontoxic glycerin holds the ingredients together; the seed cylinder will remain fresh in either winter or summer use.

Products available at The Bird House may be available for a limited time, so hurry in!

The Bird House will be closed today

The forecast for Thursday doesn't look great. Snow is expected to continue until 4 p.m., according to AccuWeather. With that, we have decided to close today.

The Bird House will be open on Friday at regular hours, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Looking ahead to March

A robin ... thinking of spring!

The weather seems to say otherwise, but March is finally here. The official start of spring is three weeks just away. This month brings enormous changes in bird life in the backyard, with some species leaving and others arriving. It's time to take stock of your backyard and prepare for the changes ahead.

You may be a bit tired of trudging through the snow to refill your bird feeders but keep at it! As the snow melts and the ground becomes exposed, birds must work hard to forage for natural sources of food. Berries and fruits have been picked over. The grass and weed seeds that have been buried under snow since January may have rotted or spoiled.

Also keep in mind migration patterns. Birds that arrive here from their wintering grounds in the south have depleted a lot of their reserves during flight. They'll be hungry and looking for food.

On the other hand, birds that have spent the winter here, away from the worst of the Arctic blasts, will be consuming more seed so they can fatten up for their migration to the north.

Soon you may notice fewer juncos--those small "winter birds" that have been flitting on lawns, beneath shrubs and around bird feeders foraging for tiny seeds including white millet. Once the worst blasts of Arctic air ease, they'll be heading to the forests of Canada to breed.

Other departures will be White-throated Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows. They, too, breed in the northern forests and forest edges.

In March you should begin seeing a greater number of robins, Northern Flickers and bluebirds. Tree Swallows, Eastern Phoebes, Chipping Sparrows and Field Sparrows may appear in late March.

Increase use of black oil sunflower

The best seed mix for birds in March is a bit different from February's favorites.

Use a blend with more black oil sunflower seed. Cardinals, chickadees and House Finches are among the species that welcome this food. You can begin easing off on the proportion of millet for your feeders.

A good recipe for March is a blend of 60 percent black oil sunflower, 30 percent white millet and the remaining 10 percent consisting of peanuts, safflower seed or striped sunflower seed. Feel free to add sunflower chips to the mix. Every backyard bird considers sunflower chips a treat!



Upside-Down Suet Feeder deters starlings

Continue offering suet. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and wrens will enjoy it. Keep in mind, though, that starlings can dominate suet feeders. If you encounter this problem, you have two solutions. One, you can use a feeder that can be accessed only from the bottom. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees are comfortable hanging from below to reach the suet; starlings are not. The second option is a caged suet feeder. The metal mesh will allow the smaller birds to reach the suet while keeping the starlings out.

Mating behavior begins

As the days go by, you'll begin hear robins, cardinals and finches singing to attract a mate. The chirping of robins is a welcome sound and a sure sound of spring. Cardinals will be at their most vocal early in the morning and toward dusk.

Already a few species are thinking about finding nesting sites. If you haven't done so by now, remove any nesting material leftover from last year so the new tenants will feel welcome this spring. Birds will bypass a birdhouse that is full of debris--and you'll lose your chance to observe an important cycle of life.

The first birds searching for nesting sites are the Downy Woodpeckers. They are cavity nesters, preferring decaying trees or nesting boxes for breeding and raising their young. No later than mid-March, attach a nesting box on a tree or pole. Make sure to leave some wood chips at the bottom of the house.

Downy Woodpeckers perform an important role in keeping trees healthy. They mainly eat insects, including beetle larvae that live inside wood or tree bark. They also consume insect pests such as tent caterpillars, bark beetles, apple borers and corn earworms. Other foods on the woodpeckers' diet are ants, berries and acorns. Offer them suet to supplement their diet.

As the weeks go by, we'll present additional tips for enjoying backyard birding in March. This month is one of the most interesting for backyard birders. Enjoy the season!