BY MICHELLE FRANKEL
As I begin to see more signs of spring here in Greenwich, a Baltimore oriole sips nectar from a flowering tree at the edge of a coffee plantation near Suchitoto, El Salvador. At this time of year, the oriole is rapidly building up his fat reserves, in anticipation of the 2,000 mile journey that will bring him to his summer breeding grounds.
- Michelle Frankel
Perhaps your backyard will be his final destination, or it may just serve as stop-over habitat on his way to nesting grounds far north of Connecticut. Just like people need gas stations and hotels when on a road trip, migrating birds need to find high-quality bird habitat to rest in and refuel along the way.
To help these long-distance travelers, Audubon”™s Bird-Friendly Communities initiative is working with towns, land trusts, schools and private landowners to create networks of “bird-friendly” habitats across cities and towns throughout Connecticut. With simple new landscaping practices and eco-friendly options, we are restoring bird habitat and giving these colorful overnight guests the resources they need to continue on their incredible journeys.
Please consider one or more of these ways to restore bird habitat near your home or at a school, park or another open space:
· Replace small areas of lawn with bird-friendly native plant gardens.
· Select plants to support both birds and insects, the main food source for nestlings.
· Eliminate or reduce use of nonorganic pesticides and herbicides.
As you and neighbors unroll your bird-friendly welcome mats, keep an eye out for that Baltimore oriole from Suchitoto who just might stop and sip nectar in your yard. Also, take a peek at the Audubon Greenwich program calendar for the next bird-gardening workshop, hike, film or family program.
The Audubon Center in Greenwich was established in 1942 as National Audubon”™s first nature education center. Located in northwestern Greenwich, just north of the Merritt Parkway, our hiking trails are open daily and the center regularly hosts public programs for adults, families and conservation professionals, school programs and a Summer Nature Day Camp.
Looking for a great Earth Day-themed event for adults? Join Audubon on April 15 when Earth Day co-founder Denis Hayes celebrates “Earth Day, Every Day” with musician Jonathan Edwards. Reserved seats for this fun Audubon fundraiser are $40-$100 and available online (greenwich.center.org) or call 203-930-1349.
Michelle Frankel is bird-friendly communities team leader and director of the Audubon center in Greenwich, a member of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.
