President’s Message

ENJOY THE BIRDS

by SeEtta Moss

     Have you seen the American Goldfinches in their bright yellow spring colors? Or have you watched all the migrating ducks on a nearby river or lake? How about the butterflies that emerge on the warm days? These, and the buds that are appearing on many trees, signal that spring is beginning.

     Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy birds. Just listen to the beautiful singing of the common House Finch—you know, the small birds with the streaked breasts and conical beaks. The males are adorned with bright red, sometimes orange and even yellow feathers to show the females that they are the healthiest and best choice to father their babies.  These brilliantly colored spring feathers are technically, but aptly, referred to as “breeding plumage”.

     Many birds will be establishing territories, choosing mates, and nesting during the spring season.  Those that are “cavity nesters,” such as bluebirds, will be looking for suitable nest holes. Because many old trees have been cut down, bluebirds have trouble finding suitable nest sites especially because the non-native and aggressive House Sparrows and Starlings compete for these sites. You can help by putting up appropriate bluebird houses near large fields. Information on bird housing can be found here (they also have a nestbox cam to view) or you can write to The Birdhouse Network, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca NY 13850.

     Other birds will be building nests with grasses, sticks, feathers and other materials. The best thing you can provide nesting birds is a habitat composed of native plants and trees that will provide not only nesting materials, but places to build their nests as well as cover and sources of food for the parent birds and their babies. Whatever you do, please get outside or look out your windows, and enjoy our feathered friends.

April program

A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Global Warming 

     This month’s program is presented on Friday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the classroom of the Pueblo Zoo.

     The Earth’s climate is warming. Average global temperatures have already increased by 1°F with even greater local changes. Spring is occurring earlier and some bird species are arriving and/or breeding one to two weeks earlier than in the past. Models project average temperature increases in Colorado of 7° to 10° F over the next 100 years. What will that do to the ranges of birds in Colorado? Are the recent breeding attempts by Vermillion Flycatchers in Colorado linked to global warming?

     Join Dr. Jeff Price, of the American Bird Conservancy, Boulder, as he provides an overview of the basics of global warming, gives insight into some of the changes to bird ranges projected for Colorado and discusses some of the things land managers, conservation planners and average citizens can be doing about it.

     Dr. Price has authored many articles published in such highly respected journals as Nature and is a passionate advocate for the environment.

     This program promises to be a highlight of the year for AVAS. Bring friends and family to this free event. Refreshments are provided.