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Two birds on a branch that look like they're in love

Love Birds

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Two birds on a branch that look like they're in loveThis Valentine’s Day you can show your love for our feathered friends, while contributing important information about the habits of wild birds. Birds are a useful indicator of the health of the environment.  They also contribute to pollinating your food, spreading seeds, and they eat a lot of mosquitoes and other bugs that are pests.  Learning about where the population of birds increase or decline is valuable information about the environment in those areas.

February 14-17 marks the 2025 Great Backyard Bird Count, where groups and individuals around the planet help scientists better understand and protect birds. Participating is easy, fun to do alone or with others, and can be done anywhere you find birds.

Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds.

Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 14–17, 2025.

Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:

  • If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to bird identification, try using the free Merlin Bird ID app to identify which birds you are seeing or hearing.
  • If you have participated in the count before and want to record numbers of birds this year, try the eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBirdwebsite
    (desktop/laptop).

You can see near real-time which birds have been counted across Virginia or see a growing list by counties in Virginia.  If you want to find out more about the birds that are frequently found in your area to help you identify the birds that you’re seeing, you can view or print this Checklist for Virginia.

Map indicating the breeding increase or decrease in the USAThe data collected is used to Spotlight Population Increases and Declines.  “We’ve never been able to see population change with this level of detail across continental extents for so many species. With so many bird species in decline, the insights gained from eBird Trends are sorely needed!” said Daniel Fink, senior research associate and science lead of the eBird Status and Trends project.

Challenge yourself and your family to spend a little time just watching the birds in your backyard, local park, or anywhere.  Little ones can count birds and maybe say what color they are, and maybe older kids would be interested in identifying them.  Time spent in nature is well-spent and can be entertaining, relaxing, or rejuvenating.

Bunny in snow with pine tree for shelter

It’s Easy Being Green

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Bunny in snow with pine tree for shelterContrary to what Kermit the Frog sings, it IS easy being green.  Times have changed for the better since that song was released in the 1970’s, and now there are plenty of resources to help Virginians live more sustainably.

For example, fresh grown Christmas trees are naturally green, of course, but they can become very un-green after the holidays.  Here are some useful, environmentally sound ways to make your spent Christmas tree or fallen tree limbs useful.

See if you are able to borrow a woodchipper, or get together with neighbors to rent a woodchipper.  Everyone could chip their tree or other branches to create mulch for under bushes.  It will offer protection from winter freezes, retain moisture, and suppress weeds in the Spring.

Christmas tree trunks can be sawn into thin slices to be used for fun projects around the house, such as ornaments or small signs.  Trivets and coasters can be made by applying a soft scrap fabric to the bottom of the rounds to protect furniture.  Saw different thicknesses of trunk wood to use as flowerpot rests, or to use as risers for votive candles to create a beautiful display.  If the branch or tree trunk is sturdy, you can cut off the bottom and use the remaining base as a rustic outdoor stand for a birdbath, bird feeder, or flowerpot stand.

You can chop tree trunks and branches into smaller pieces to use for next Summer’s outdoor fires.  It’s not recommended to burn a fresh pine tree in the fireplace or a wood stove indoors. The resulting creosote buildup can possibly ignite and cause a house fire.Carolina Wren in pine tree as shelter in the Winter

A simple task that’s naturally sustainable is to place the tree in a back corner of your yard or garden to make a free, all-natural habit for wildlife.  Carolina wrens will shelter there and hunt for insects.  You can also add suet, peanut butter, or birdseed to the branches to feed birds.  Bunnies will also appreciate the shelter during cold weather too.

If you have a pond or water garden, you can submerge sections of a tree or branches to create habitat for fish or other aquatic life.

If you don’t have the desire or space for Christmas tree projects, please recycle your tree instead of sending it to the landfill!  Check with the solid waste department in your city or county to learn what their policy is for tree collections.  Some retail stores and museums will also serve as collection sites to make good use of donated trees for animals or as mulch for area residents.

Winter in VA bridge

Virginia is a Winter Wonderland

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snowy bridgeFree your body and your brain from being indoors – get outside to all the beautiful places there are to explore in Virginia!  Walking and hiking isn’t just for fair weather, friends, it’s a great way to shed some winter pounds, get a change of scenery, and breathe in fresh air!

The winter landscape offers another perspective, such as the frozen waterfalls and quiet, uncrowded trails.  Often one of the most popular places to hike in Shenandoah National Park, Dark Hollow Falls, near Luray, is fairly crowded with summertime visitors.  As a winter destination, you can see the 70-foot cascading waterfall at your own pace, without the crowds. In the coldest months, the waterfall has been known to freeze, creating a stunning winter scene.

A hiking destination for all skill levels is Mason Neck State Park, near Lorton.  They have ten hiking trails that are mostly flat.  One trail runs along the beach, showcasing wintery coastal scenery.

Located in the southern part of Gloucester County along the York River, you’ll find Machicomoco State Park.  There’s a paved trail along the main park road for walking or bike riding, and an open-air interpretive pavilion provides information on the culture, landscape and movement of Virginia Indians through displays and a walking path in the landscape.  So you can learn something and get fresh air!

If you love birds and wildlife, there’s always a chance to see critters on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, a network of 65 loops.  Virginia Department of Wildlife brags that there are 400 species of birds, 150 species of mammals, 150 species of amphibians and reptiles, 250 species of fish, plus hundreds of butterfly, dragonfly, and other invertebrate species to view in Virginia.  You can choose mountain, piedmont, or coastal regions to visit!

Or if sitting in a comfy chair indoors is your idea of a winter activity, you can look at books about hiking in Virginia, and make plans for warmer weather.  You’ll be exercising your brain!

Cardinal bird

This is for the Birds!

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Cardinal birdWinter can be a tough season for the wild birds that grace our backyards and public spaces.   But we can help out our feathered friends by offering the food, water, and shelter during the colder months in Virginia.

By the time we’re finished feasting for Thanksgiving, most of the natural food supply for birds, such as insects, are dormant, and seeds and berries can be hidden by leaves or snow.  A typical suburban landscape of grass, cropped bushes, and non-native trees and plants doesn’t offer much for birds.  This is why humans can provide some much-needed nourishment!

You probably know that the Cardinal is our official state bird.  Other common sightings include the American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Common Grackle, Evening Grosbeak, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Purple Finch, Tufted Titmouse, and a variety of Sparrows.  Here’s a guide from Virginia Tech with pictures and descriptions of these birds that’s good for children or beginners.  Or you can get the Audubon Bird Guide app here to have conveniently on your phone.

There are many different kinds of bird feeders sold.  Wild Birds Unlimited is one of the experts in this area, with several stores across the state to visit, or you can order online.  They even offer baffles to install near you bird feeders to thwart those pesky (but cute) squirrels.  However, you can also scatter seeds on the ground, or make your own feeders for birds.   Here’s how to make a pine cone feeder, and here’s a short video with instructions to make shaped bird seed treats with cookie cutters!

One of the very best ways to offer food and shelter for birds during the winter is to provide them with native plants and trees in your backyard, or any public space such as a school or house of worship where you have permission to add plants to the landscape.  You don’t have to have acres of land to offer a meaningful oasis to birds, and you don’t need to tear out all the plants that you already have growing.  Just plant some native Virginia wildflower seeds, such as Black-eyed Susan, Yarrow, and Asters in with your other border plants, and the birds will find them.  If you’d like a free packet of wildflower seeds, just go to our website and take the pledge to end litter, and we’ll send you one (while supplies last)!

Winter is an excellent time to plan improvements to your backyard garden.  Your local Extension Office can answer any questions you might have, and provide you with resources.  And Virginia Tech has an excellent guide to creating inviting habitats for birds!  The publication is available in PDF and Epub formats.

So read up a little, plan a little, and do what you can for the birds this winter!

Eastern Bluebird

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Oh, for the love of birds!  Every year around Valentine’s Day, people are asked to help scientists learn about the population and migration of birds by counting the birds they see in their own backyard, or any public space.  The Great Backyard Bird Count runs this year from February 12-15, 2021, but you only need to spend 15 minutes watching and counting to assist in the process!

Now is a perfect time to do some birdwatching.  With all the COVID restrictions in place, all ages can sit indoors and enjoy watching the birds out the window.  It’s a great way for housebound senior citizens to spend some time, or to occupy the kids for 15 minutes.  You can see the policy of “pecking order” in action at feeders, and watch their antics as birds interact with each other and nature.  Here are some pictures and identities of common birds you’ll find in Virginia.

So why are birds important to humans?  For one, they eat thousands and thousands of insects, bugs, and pests.  They will gladly gobble up mosquitoes, caterpillars, spiders, crickets, aphids, and others – without using any chemicals.  Cornell Labs says that a pair of chickadees must catch over 7,500 caterpillars to feed to just one nest of baby birds!

Another reason that it’s good to have birds in your backyard is because they are indicators of a healthy environment.  Backyards, no matter if they’re small or large, can host a variety of birds if there are bushes for shelter, a birdbath or water source, and preferably native plants for seeds and berries.  Here are some activities from Virginia Tech to help kids learn how to identify and provide food for wild birds.  You don’t need expensive equipment, you and the kids can even make your own bird feeders.

In fact, making or installing a bird house is the perfect activity to do when you participate in our Shiver in Virginia Challenge that begins on February 27th, and continues all through the month of March.  There are many ways you can help Keep Virginia Beautiful, from picking up litter to caring for our beautiful wildlife.  Check it out and register now!

So come on, the birds are counting on you!