In the Garden: March

March is here, and it’s time to talk about birds. Point Roberts is home to more than 230 bird species.

They’re in our yards, forests and fields; at the beach and in the sky; along our roadsides and perched in the trees and on telephone wires. Birds and wildlife are among our most precious local assets.

Do you sometimes feel there aren’t as many birds here as there used to be? I’ve lived in Point Roberts for four years, and I’ve noticed fewer birds each year. I wanted to know why and set out to learn more about bird populations and how they affect our lives.

I read science-based articles and studies, consulted with gardeners and conservationists, listened to podcasts and attended an Audubon Society presentation titled “Gardening is for the Birds.”

The wellbeing of birds is a key indicator of overall environmental health, and scientists and researchers are extremely concerned about the shrinking global bird population.

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) researched the decline of bird populations in North America between 1970 and 2019 and published their results in a journal titled Science in September 2019. The numbers are staggering; bird populations in the United States and Canada dropped by nearly 3 billion birds over 50 years, a decrease of 29 percent of the birds in North America.

Researchers noted that the sharp drop in North American bird populations is consistent with what is being seen around the world. The major cause is widespread degradation and loss of habitat, largely attributed to agricultural growth and urbanization. Other known factors include collisions with buildings, glass windows, automobiles and other structures, and the pervasive use of pesticides associated with the loss of insect populations eaten by birds.

I was surprised to learn that domesticated cats are the number one cause of bird deaths in the United States. The SMBC states that cats are estimated to kill more than 2.4 billion birds in the United States each year, and that there are more than 100 million feral and pet cats freely roaming outdoors. Keeping pet cats indoors can increase our bird population, lengthen the lives of cats, slow the spread of viral diseases, and help preserve environmental health in multiple ways.

Healthy bird populations are essential to our ecosystem, our food supply, and our economy. Birds consume 400 to 500 tons of insects per year, which curtails the damage and destruction of agricultural crops, home gardens, and other vegetation.

Backyard birds eat thousands of mosquitos, lowering populations and preventing the spread of diseases. They scatter seeds, assist with pollination and fertilize our gardens. Scavenger birds, including vultures and ravens, consume dead animals, reducing the spread of diseases like distemper and rabies. Predator birds like owls and hawks help control rodent populations.

Major bird habitats like forests, marshes, grasslands and prairies safely store carbon, filter water, transform pollutants into nutrients, add oxygen to the air, and help stabilize our climate. Seabirds are instrumental in cycling nutrients and keeping coral reefs alive.

Wild bird populations are surprisingly good for the economy. Globally, wildlife watchers spend an estimated $75 billion on travel, equipment and other expenses.

In the United States, birding accounted for the creation of 600,000 jobs and billions of dollars in tax revenue and employment taxes (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2013).

Sales of bird food, bird feeders and related supplies generate upwards of $6 million dollars per year.

There are many ways individuals and gardeners can help protect our local bird population. Birds need a safe habitat that contains shelter, food, and water. Woody bushes and trees provide places to hide and build nests, as do bird houses and nesting boxes. Water can be provided in a shallow bowl or bird bath.

Birds eat naturally occurring seeds and insects; supplemental birdseed can be offered when foraged food is scarce, and feeders should be cleaned weekly. To avoid attracting rovdents, stray cats, and other wildlife that can spread disease, outdoor pet feeding dishes should be removed after meals.

Garden pesticides – including some organic ones and other homemade potions – are toxic to insects and birds. Avoid their use whenever possible. Birds will do most of your pest control for you, especially if you remove the bird feeders during the summer growing season.

Local insect populations, birds and native plants developed and evolved together, so they meet one another’s needs and provide the most suitable and disease resistant environment.

Strive for diversity in your plant choices and try to have something blooming throughout all seasons. Mulch with leaves to protect and feed your soil and leave seedheads and hollow-stemmed plants in place to feed and shelter birds and insects over the winter.

Birds add beauty and joy to our lives and surroundings. Let’s be as helpful to them as they are to us; their lives depend on it.