#78 Conservation Tip: Building Birdboxes

I spent a wonderful morning with a group of PA Young Birders constructing birdboxes and discussing the importance of natural and manmade cavities for many species.

Our bird boxes help supplement the decline in natural cavities by providing a suitable alternative for cavity nesting birds like bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, titmice and tree swallows.

This activity offers a great way to engage and teach kids about habitat and conservation, and is a fun family project for the holidays.

photo © adrian binns

#75 Conservation Tip: National Wildlife Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge Week was officially on the calendar October 9-15, but really, every week is National Wildlife Refuge week!

With over 550 refuges in the United States, encompassing millions of acres of habitat, there is always somewhere to go, and something to see at a wildlife refuge.

Autumn is a great time to get outside and enjoy colorful fall foliage, see raptors soaring overhead, watch waterfowl paddling in cold waters, and peer at insects crawling on flowers.

Whatever your interests, National Wildlife Refuges offer wonderful resources to get outside and get back to nature!

photo © adrian binns

#69 Conservation Tip: Every Bean Counts

Every bean matters in our coffee-consuming culture. Shade grown coffee benefits birds and people far more than coffee grown in treeless, sunburned plantations.

The key message of this java jive is that shade grown coffee helps the long-term survival of neo-tropical migrants throughout central and south America.  Passerines, including endangered Golden-winged Warblers and Baltimore Orioles, need trees to survive, and without economic incentive for farmers to grow coffee under the canopy, our feathered friends may be doomed.

Buy shade grown coffee today, for your own caffeine fix, or as gifts for friends!  It's easier than ever to find shade grown coffee available from local retailers or nature centers.

photo © adrian binns

#58 Conservation Tip: Duck Stamp

It's time for Duck Stamps again!  On July 1st you'll be able to purchase the new federal Duck Stamp, valid July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

This year's stamp features Greater White-fronted Goose, a species that overwinters in Southern Texas and the Central Valley of California. It is an uncommon winter visitor to the east.

Your $15 Duck Stamp purchase not only gets you free access to National Wildlife Refuges for a year, but supports acquisition and conservation of critical wetland habitat.  This is quite a bargain for saving the future of America's wetlands.

You can also purchase a $5 federal Junior Duck Stamp to benefit student educational conservation programs.

Click here for further information about Duck Stamps 

#39 Conservation Tip: Birds on the Road

Michigan has a Common Loon, New Jersey has a Red-headed Woodpecker, Minnesota has a Black-capped Chickadee, Texas has a Great Blue Heron, Oklahoma has a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Pennsylvania has a Saw-whet Owl, and West Virginia has a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. What are these stately connections? Conservation License plates!

Proceeds from the sale of wildlife conservation license plates, which only cost a few extra dollars, benefit state non-game wildlife programs, and go a long way to raising substantial dollars each year. Next time your vehicle registration comes up for renewal, consider purchasing one of these.

photo © adrian binns

#38 Conservation Tip: Report Banded Birds

There’s something exciting about seeing a banded bird, knowing that someone has taken information about that particular individual, hoping to find out where it has travelled or how long it lives.

If you see a banded bird – a goose, sandpiper or maybe a raptor - take careful note of the band(s). On which leg is the band? What color is it? If there are letters or numbers, write them down in careful order. Also note the date, time and location of your finding. If you know the bird’s gender or age, be sure to note that too.

Scientists band a whole lot of birds, but get back only a small percentage of data for their efforts. You are greatly helping the cause of research to report your findings. Report data to the national Bird Banding Lab, website: www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/

photo © adrian binns

#36 Conservation Tip: Save on Plastic Bottles

For day or multi-day car trips, save on plastic, by bringing your own water bottle and purchasing gallon water jugs to refill your personal container.

This is another way to help the environment by using far less plastic.

photo © adrian binns

#34 Conservation Tip: Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) engages people of all ages to count birds in their local community. Birders of many skill levels, from beginning to advanced, are encouraged to join in this annual 4-day event, which provides important real-time data of bird populations and locations throughout North America.

Count your backyard feeder, or gather friends together to explore a favorite birding locale. The GBBC provides an opportunity for students and community groups to organize educational programs or fundraising around the event, while making an important contribution to scientific databases.

The 2011 GBBC takes place Friday February 18 through Monday, February 21 - you can count for as little as 15 minutes, or many hours for each of the 4 days. It’s free, fun and helps the birds! For more details, go to the GBBC website: www.birdsource.org/gbbc/

photo © adrian binns

#29 Conservation Tip: Christmas Bird Count (CBC's)

The long-running Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is one of the most important conservation activities ever, and the oldest wildlife census on the planet! Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, this 3-week long, international event brings together groups of birders to count individual numbers and species within designated count circles. Occurring annually from mid-Dec to early-Jan, the CBC offers a fun-filled holiday tradition to enjoy with friends and family. Over 100 years of data has been collected from CBC reports, reflecting important species trends, populations and distributions. CBC data has been used by scientists and law-makers to implement critical decisions about conservation policies; the ban on the toxic pesticide DDT was imposed in part because of CBC data.

The 111th Christmas Bird Count takes place on December 14, 2010 thru January 5, 2011. You can volunteer to participate by contacting your local bird club, or checking the website. You'll spend a day birding in the field with friends, while contributing incredibly important information for science and conservation. A winning combination!

photo © adrian binns

#19 Conservation Tip: Outdoor Words of Wisdom

Spend only time.

Take only memories.

Leave only footprints.


Take the time to explore the natural surroundings - turn over a rock, feel the trunk of a tree, smell the moisture in the air, listen to the birds sing, watch a butterfly flutter from flower to flower, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty - Nature has so much to offer.

photo © adrian binns

#14 Conservation Tip: Counting Hawks

Fall (mid August-late November) is the perfect time to watch kettles of hawks and streams of raptors migrating south. During this time, official hawk watching sites, such as Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and Cape May in the east, and the Goshute Mountains and Hazel Bazemore in the west, are engaged in counting numbers and documenting important information about population trends and species distribution.

Raptors are at the top of the biological food chain, and sensitive to environmental changes; they serve as a great biological indicator of the overall health of our environment. Monitoring raptors helps identify potential problems, and better understand ongoing conservation challenges. Visit a local hawk watch to enjoy some great birding and learn a little more about the importance of raptor conservation.

photo © adrian binns

#8 Conservation Tip: Keep Cats Indoors

This is the only way cats should interact with birds - from behind glass! Outdoor cats pose a major threat to our bird population. Keep your cat indoors at all times.

#2 Conservation Tip: Duck Stamps Save Wetlands

Help save critical wetlands for birds! A federally-issued Duck Stamp is available every year beginning July 1st. 98% of the $15 cost goes towards the purchase of wildlife habitat. Since the program began in 1934 $750 million has been raised to buy 5.3 million acres. Birders can do their part by purchasing a Duck Stamp which also entitles them to visit National Wildlife Refuges free for the year. It is a win-win deal, and the best bang for your buck!

Duck Stamps can be purchased at National Wildlife Refuges, Post Offices and Sporting Goods stores.

photo © adrian binns