Camping tips to help both people and birds

If you're heading to the woods for a camping trip, consider these tips from the National Audubon Society. They'll make your stay enjoyable and help woodland birds too.

Get rid of all shells and crumbs. This prevents scavenging animals from crashing your site and also protects subsequent campers.

Dispose of waste water in locations indicated by the site management. Keep garbage and recycling in tightly lidded containers.

Extinguish all matches, cigarettes and fires before you go to sleep or depart. Never set off fireworks in the woods. (Fireworks are prohibited in national forests.)

Limit the use of glass. Broken shards are dangerous to humans and animals.

Try not to damage any plants while setting up camp. Don't cut down live trees for firewood. You may be disturbing nesting birds.

Use local firewood only. Transporting firewood can spread insects and other pests that could harm the campsite's environment.

Avoid feeding bread and crackers to birds. It fills them without providing essential nutrients.

Don't bring bird feeders with you. The seed or suet can attract bears, and that's not much fun!