The Quarterly Community eNewsletter of Bird Town Pennsylvania |
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Welcome to “Bird Beat”
Welcome to “Bird Beat,” the quarterly eNewsletter of Bird Town Pennsylvania. Bird Beat is a seasonal communication (summer, fall, winter and spring) for individuals working to use native plants in their properties for the birds, pollinators, and other beneficial creatures that enhance the ecosystems in which we all live. Many of you have received one or more forms of habitat recognition or certification from Audubon, the National Wildlife Federation, or another organization. Bird Beat also includes family-friendly games, movie and book reviews, and fascinating information about birds.
Bird Beat offers timely tips for native plant enthusiasts like you, along with links to resources, events, and ideas to engage your families, friends, and neighbors with the wonders that your native gardens, from container gardening to full blown meadows, evoke. We hope you find Bird Beat informative and valuable. Please share this newsletter with any folks you think would like to subscribe to future editions. Note that you can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. We invite your comments and suggestions for future topics at pabirdtown@gmail.com. |
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Pollinating Insects
By Karen Campbell
Flowering plants are living beings that need to reproduce, but they’re immobile. So, how do they reproduce? That’s where bugs and birds get involved. Plants have co-evolved with insects to obtain pollination services by rewarding them with nutritious nectar. Likewise, plants have co-evolved with birds to distribute seeds by rewarding them with nutritious goodies surrounding seeds.
Click here to learn about our most important groups of native pollinating insects.
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Seed Plants for Birds
By Barbara Malt
Native plants provide nectar, bugs, and fruit for birds. What else can they provide? Today’s column focuses on two great seed-producers: Black-eyed Susans and Purple Coneflowers. Several species of our native birds love them, and they're garden favorites for us humans, too!
Click here to learn about these gorgeous plants.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
IS WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
By Christine M. Du Bois
As this aerial photo shows, humans can cleverly gather together to form the shape of a soaring bird—and, most crucially, humans can also cleverly unite to help migratory birds survive their epic journeys. Click here to read an inspiring interview with Susan Bonfield, director of the organization that coordinates World Migratory Bird Day among 800 different groups throughout the entire Western Hemisphere. |
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Sense of Wonder: Molting
By Christine M. Du Bois
There's a reason why this Northern Cardinal looks so scruffy; it's molting. Molting is the replacement of a substantial number, or sometimes all, of a bird's feathers. Birds molt for several reasons, and different bird species have different molting "styles" (though they may not actually look stylish while molting!!!). Click here to learn more about this vulnerable yet necessary period in birds' lives.
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Kids’ Corner: Baby Bird Names
By Christine M. Du Bois
Humans give special names to the babies of certain types of birds.
Click here for a crossword puzzle about baby bird names. The puzzle includes hints and an answer key, in case you need help. |
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Baby Sandhill Cranes have
super-long legs!
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Review of
Bird Girl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future
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By Christine M. Du Bois
What's it like to be a teenager who has seen over 5,000 species of birds spanning all seven continents, plus Madagascar? What's it like to be a teen whose mother suffers from severe bipolar disorder? What's it like to be a British Bangladeshi girl wondering how to nurture a passion for birding amongst more people who look like her? Mya-Rose Craig’s gripping memoire, written at the tender age of 19 yet demonstrating unusual maturity, lyrically weaves together these three themes, showing how they have deeply interconnected in her life.
Click here to learn more about Ms. Craig's extraordinary life and writing.
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The Bird at My Window
By Heidi Shiver
"Dappled morning light danced through the cottage curtains of my shared bedroom. Outside was a massive ficus tree framed by my neighbor’s huge hedge, with a break just large enough that I could peek through to admire his hibiscus flowers beyond. Usually, I spent most of my time outside climbing or collecting tadpoles down at one of the ponds or picking my neighbors’ flowers to surprise my mom. But on this particular morning, I was confined to my bed with German measles." ...
Click here to read about Heidi's "spark bird"—the bird that made measles not so bad, and birding a lifetime joy.
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Looking Ahead!
- Watch for our autumn edition of “Bird Beat” in October, featuring articles on migration and flocking.
- Encourage others to sign-up to receive “Bird Beat,” our eNewsletter.
Do you live in the Lehigh Valley? Click here to find out about the Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition's rewarding activities! |
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EDITOR'S NOTE: We welcome suggestions and content for the Bird Town Bird Beat. Submissions can be sent to pabirdtown@gmail.com for consideration. Note that submissions will be accorded full consideration but do not ensure inclusion in the newsletter.
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BIRD TOWN PENNSYLVANIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Heidi Shiver
Vice President: Phil Witmer
Secretary: Janet Krevenas
Treasurer: Tom Price
Board Member: Steve Saffier
Board Member: Lauren Diamond
Board Member: Jim Bonner
Liaison to PAAC: Leigh Altadonna
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Bird Town's Bird Beat e-newsletter editorial team
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Christine M. Du Bois, layout
Karen Campbell, blog publisher
Leigh Altadonna, editor emeritus and consultant
Christine M. Du Bois, editor
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Credits for images can be found here.
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