Nesting Anxiety

 

This is the sixth year that the Ravens have nested in or around the Arboretum, before that it may have been a hundred years since they nested here. This is the first time, in the last six years, that their nest has been visible. Even though they have used this nest before, apparently, an obscuring branch has fallen or the foliage has grown out away from the nest. 

Never before have we been able to see the young in the nest. If you look closely there is an upturned pink triangle to the right of the adult Raven. The adult's bill points directly at it. I believe it is the small bill of one of the nestlings. The photo was taken on April 3rd.

A moment later the Raven leaned over to feed the young one and the bill of a second hatchling appeared between the first nestling and the tree trunk. 

Five days later, I happened to catch an adult approaching with food again. The bill of one of the young appears noticeably longer.

When the adult places the food in the young bird's mouth the size of the young one's bill seems enormous compared to what we saw just 5 days before. Their eggs are laid sequentially and they may hatch out on different days. So there could be size differences between the first to hatch and the last. AllAboutBirds lists their clutch size, i.e. the number of eggs per nesting attempt, as varying from 3 to 7 eggs. 

By the 12th of May, their eyes were open, their heads were up and it was getting easier to see the young in the nest.

The next day I felt fairly certain that there were at least three young in the nest. AllAboutBirds also says that after hatching the young are in the nest for 28 to 50 days. I am guessing the availability of food is a critical factor in determining how fast they grow and how soon they leave the nest.

When they hatch out the young are defenseless. Luckily, their parents are aggressive defenders of the nest. They are also very attentive and return with food quite frequently. Given the rate of feeding appearances by the adults, it is surprising how often one can be found sitting in a nearby tree, apparently, on guard duty. I think the adults are primarily watching for Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks, given their very excited "clucking" when they chase them away. This post from 2023 refers to one of those interactions.

Earlier this year, I watched one of the adult Ravens charge at two adult Bald Eagles that ventured near the nest. On average one Bald Eagle is about four times heavier than a Raven. Nonetheless, the single Raven succeeded in chasing both of the Eagles away. Fierceness, commitment and agility matter.

On the 16th of April, I was stunned to see the nest looked dramatically different. It appeared to have grown a wall of sticks above the previous edge of the nest. My first fear was the Bald Eagles had returned and raided the nest. 

A few minutes later I was a bit relieved to see one young head appear above the nest. At about the same time an adult Raven returned with food (it is on the branch in the lower right of this photo).

Eventually, I went and examined the ground around the base of the nest tree. There were no signs of fallen sticks, no loose feathers and no evidence of anything falling from the nest site.

Later, I made out two young heads above the nest. I began to suspect that maybe the growing young Ravens had pushed the edge of the nest up and out, essentially, creating more space for themselves while making visible changes to the nest.

The other reassuring factor was the behavior of the adults. There were no apparent changes. They continued to come and go with food as if nothing happened. I am not sure how they would have behaved differently if they had lost a nestling. In any case, their continued consistent effort and hard work is reassuring.

I was away last week but when I returned the young in the nest were visibly larger and more mature-looking. Their awkward gangly looks were gone.

Even though I am sure the adults are still larger than the young ones, the most notable difference between them is the pink gape at the corner of their mouths. The adults are solid black on every exterior surface.

I am feeling relieved to once again see three young in the nest.

They are starting to spread their wings and flexing their newly developing muscles. If you look closely you can see that the base of the flight feathers are still visible. The coverts have not yet grown in. Once the coverts fill in they will create smooth and functional wings. Given their rate of growth from just three and half weeks ago I suspect they may begin branching out soon and potentially taking flight within the next week or two.

I read a study from long ago that said that a favorite food for Ravens is young rabbits. Perhaps our rabbit invasion from a few years ago is one of the reasons the Ravens returned. The availability of plentiful food may also explain why the young Ravens are growing so quickly.

This morning the three young Ravens were still in (or maybe I should say on) the nest. Given their size, the nest is looking rather small. Soon, they will have to move out onto nearby branches, which will provide more space while they flex their wings.

If you would like to watch the process the nest can be viewed from the bench immediately south of the "Rhododendron Glen" sign on Arboretum Drive. The nest is very high and a bit distant which is good. Given the nest's location, the foot traffic on Arboretum Drive does not bother the Ravens, but binoculars will be helpful if you want a good look.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city and black birders are welcome!

Larry

Going Native:

Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. 

I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.

2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)

3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.

4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants. 

*************** 

Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. 

Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.

This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030

The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard: 

Click Here

Additional content available here:

https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf

******************

In the area below, I normally display at least one photo with each post to challenge us to know our native lifeforms. 

This small seedling will grow into which of the following Keystone tree species Oregon Oak, Big Leaf Maple, or Oregon Crabapple.

Here is a secondary hint, in case you are like me and previously had not noticed these interesting early leaves of this tree. In addition to the two first leaves this photo also shows what the third through sixth leaves can look like.

Scroll down for the answer.

******************

Surprisingly, these are Big Leaf Maple (BLM) seedlings. They were photographed below this picturesque pair of mature Big Leaf Maples in the Arboretum just west of the Sorbus collection.

For comparison, this photo shows a bit more mature Big Leaf Maple leaves and a first-year Common Raven from May of 2023.

 

*****************

The Email Challenge:

Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021, Google has discontinued the service.

In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:

                Larry, Please add me to your personal email list. 

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Thank you!

*******************

The Comment Challenge:

Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. 

Bottom Line: 
If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Sincerely,

Larry

The Down Low

Dark-eyed Juncos are common around Union Bay. Wherever you walk there are likely to be Juncos somewhere nearby searching for food, most often on the ground. We also see them in trees, but I tend to notice them most when I startle them and they fly off to a nearby bush, tree or just a slightly more distant spot on the ground.

The earth tones in their plumage blend well with dirt, gravel and dried leaves. One of their most notable features, their light-colored bills, contrast nicely with their dark hooded heads.

The males have crisp black hoods...

... while the female's hoods are more subtle.

When they fly away, their tails flicker and expose another notable feature, their white outer tail feathers. These feathers help to distinguish them from other birds and help identify them as Dark-eyed Juncos.

During much of the year, Juncos eat seeds, as in this October photo.

Here, one of the small winged seeds from the Birch tree is clinging to the bird's wing, while the Junco searches for more. When they, or other species like House Finches, are finding seeds in the trees, there are often even more Juncos on the ground below picking up the seeds that have already fallen.

In June, before the tree seeds are ready, Juncos will consume grass seeds.

Earlier still, in April, Juncos focus more on protein, but often not for personal consumption. April is "Catch and Carry" time as they secure food for their young in their nests. 

The bird in this photo is removing a small greenish caterpillar from a Big-leaf Maple tree. As Professor Tallamy suggests caterpillars are probably the most critical and nutritious food source for young birds. (See the Go Native section below to learn more about the Keystone plants and trees that support caterpillars and therefore young birds.) 

Imagine the nutrition in this caterpillar as compared to a tiny seed.

Junco eggs are less than an inch long and their nests are typically only a few inches across.

From the time the eggs are laid until the nestlings are ready to leave the nest is less than a month. Dark-eyed Juncos normally make their nests on the ground. After the eggs hatch, the young are unable to fly and hidden nests increase their odds of survival. 

While the young are in the nest the parents bring food almost nonstop. The young need to quickly gain weight, develop strength, leave the nest, and learn to fly to evade potential predators.

A partial list of the creatures that might willingly consume Junco eggs, nestlings, or even the adults includes: Norway Rats, Cooper's Hawks, American Crows, Stellar's Jays, Squirrels, Barred Owls and off-leash Dogs or Cats.

In addition to these creatures during Spring weeding we, humans, may accidentally disturb their nests. Simply uncovering a nest may cause the adults to abandon it.

 

Since April is a prime time for both nesting and weeding, I suggest spending time watching the behavior of birds in your yard before beginning your Spring yard work. If you notice a bird carrying something, in early Spring, it will often be headed towards its nest site. 

Initially, they carry nesting material. 

Later, they begin carrying food for their young. 

In addition to finding well-hidden caterpillars...

...they also catch insects.

Normally, Juncos hide their nests under fallen leaves, piles of branches, ivy, sword ferns or other vegetation. Occasionally, they nest in trees. If you notice ground-nesting behavior, avoiding the area until the young have fledged, is a wonderfully gracious idea.

Less than two weeks after hatching, the young leave the nest and begin following the parents. They are still being fed while also learning how to find food. Initially, their ability to fly is limited.

I suspect the short tail, of the young bird on the left, provides less control during turns and landings. I would bet the growth of their tails, correlates with the refinement of their flight skills.

In addition to the challenges above, occasionally, nesting Juncos also face another issue.

Brown-headed Cowbirds

Originally, according to All About Birds, Cowbirds followed the Bison herds on the Great Plains. As the Bison disturbed insects in the grass and caused them to fly, the Cowbirds would feed on the insects. (Maybe we should be calling them Brown-headed Bison-birds.)

The female Cowbird must be a surprisingly intelligent creature. The Cowbirds have evolved to lay their eggs in the nests of other, typically smaller, birds. Thereby, they avoid the work of nest building, incubation, and feeding young. This nesting approach may have developed because of the Cowbird's need to keep up with the Bison. Since the Bison were constantly moving to find more grass, the Cowbirds needed to keep moving and did not have time to stop and nest. 

Research referenced in Birds of The World (citation below) says female Cowbirds find host nest sites by one of three methods. The "female may perch quietly in the tops of shrubs or trees and silently watch for nest building activity in the surrounding open areas; female may walk on ground, looking about and watching for movement of other birds; or female may employee a noisy searching method of short flights between vegetation with landings in leaves accompanied with wing flapping as if intentionally trying to flush potential hosts from nests."

By sticking with the Bison the Cowbirds would have had an abundant supply of insects which would provide the required nutrients and minerals to lay an abnormally large quantity of eggs. There are not too many Bison, flushing up insects, around Union Bay for the Cowbirds. Maybe our bird feeders are helping to fulfill their need for food.

In any case, a Cowbird successfully fooled this Dark-eyed Junco and its mate. In 2022 this Junco, and probably its mate, must have invested a major portion of their breeding season incubating, feeding, and raising this young Cowbird. 

Today, the Cowbirds around Union Bay, even without the inspiration of Bison, continue to lay eggs in other bird's nests. This creates a variety of inadvertent foster parents. Birds of the World references the work of Herbert Friedmann, who determined that 144 different species of birds have been known to raise Cowbird nestlings. 

Sometimes, the Cowbirds will even remove some of the host's eggs from the nest. Also, a young Cowbird bird, with genetics to become a relatively larger bird, will often out-compete the host family's young. The Cowbird's utilization of host species is called parasitic brooding. From a human perspective, it is a cruel trick, however, if viewed from the perspective of evolutionary complexity, it is an incredibly amazing adaptation. 

Dark-eyed Juncos are so plentiful that, even though a female Cowbird may lay as many as 40 eggs a season, the Cowbirds are not likely to be a threat to the survival of Dark-eyed Juncos - as a species. However, there are other endangered species, where human development, climate change, or other factors have already reduced their numbers. For these, Cowbirds could end up being the final factor. In my opinion, the challenge for humanity is not the removal or reduction of Cowbirds. I believe we should be enhancing our yards, cities, parks, beaches, and shorelines so that all species of birds can, occasionally, raise a Cowbird without endangering their species' survival. 

Click Here to learn how young Cowbird "orphans" find other members of their own species.

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!

Larry

Recommended Citation

Lowther, P. E. (2020). Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bnhcow.01

Going Native:

Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. 

I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.

2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)

3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.

4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants. 

*************** 

Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. 

Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.

This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030

The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard: 

Click Here

Additional content available here:

https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf

******************

Typically, in the area below, I display at least one photo with each post to challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. This week I took a slightly different twist related to the parasitic theme.

Are lichens parasites? Do they steal nutrients from trees?

Scroll down for the answer.

******************

Last week I had the opportunity to learn from Katherine Glew and Carl Baker that lichens are epiphytes, i.e. they use the trees, and other objects for support, but are not parasitic. They gain the moisture and nutrients they require from the air.

In the excellent text, "Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest", by Bruce McCune and Linda Geiser, on page xii of the second edition the authors state, "...a lichen consists of a fungus and its photosynthetic partner (green algae, cyanobacteria, or both) growing together in a mutually controlled, symbiotic relationship..."

Lichen are used for food, homes, and nesting material by a wide variety of insects, birds and other creatures.

(On page xiii of the book is a very interesting paragraph that describes the mutually reinforcing relationships between Brown Beard Lichen, Flying Squirrels, Spotted Owls and the trees of old growth-forests. It refers to the works of C. &  Z. Maser in the mid-1980s.)

Our class learned that there are three major groups of lichen. There are crustose which are crust-like, folliose which are leaf-like, and fruticose which are thin and have branches that look some what like a fruit tree. 

Carl says, "It's difficult to identify specific lichen by photograph, but the majority of the lichen present here looks to be a fruticose lichen whose scientific name is Evernia prunastri and likely a species of lichen of the genus Usnea as well." (I, Larry, understand the Usnea to be on the upper right and below it on the far right is a bit of foliose lichen.)

Note: This lichen was found on the ground. It is best not to remove lichen from a tree, rock, or other surface since losing its support is likely to shorten its life (or lives). When you find a fallen piece, it is good to leave it where its nutrients will be recycled and used by other organisms.

A special, Thank You, to Carl Baker for all of his guidance and patience!

*****************

The Email Challenge:

Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021, Google has discontinued the service.

In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:

                Larry, Please add me to your personal email list. 

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Thank you!

*******************

The Comment Challenge:

Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. 

Bottom Line: 
If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Sincerely,

Larry

Celebrating the Arboretum!

A Pacific Wren in the Arboretum.

The Washington Park Arboretum is a wonderful place. Some people view it as a park, others as a gardening oasis or a nature-based classroom. During my first visit, while still a teenager, I remember thinking the Arboretum was like a forest in the city. 

The following photos show that the trees of the Arboretum do provide a forest-like habitat for birds, insects and more.

A Bewick's Wren finding food in the Arboretum.

A female Pileated Woodpecker excavating for food in a birch tree.

Webster's Dictionary defines an Arboretum as "a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes".

A Red-breasted Nuthatch on a moss-covered branch south of the Sorbus Collection.

The Washington Park Arboretum is more than a forest of trees and shrubs. For example, it also serves as a genetic reserve for struggling trees that are endangered in their native forests. 

The Arboretum is also an educational oasis!

The Fiddlehead Preschool program supplies early education, and a daily connection with nature, that is unique for children in the city.

The Summer Programs provide young people, K-12, with access to nature.

During the school year, University of Washington students gain hands-on restoration experience in the Arboretum.

Plus, the Arboretum offers a multitude of other educational opportunities. Click Here to learn more.

These Arboretum opportunities are made possible by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG), with support from the Arboretum Foundation (AF), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), hundreds of volunteers and many generous financial donations.

This Red-naped Sapsucker was an unusual visitor to the Arboretum in 2015.

The Red-breasted Sapsucker is the normal year-round Sapsucker found in the Arboretum, but it can be somewhat challenging to spot.

Western Tanagers, this one is a male, pass through the Arboretum during migration.

The native Rufous Hummingbirds also migrate here during warm weather. I have not seen either of these last two species nest here, but they may.

The native Wilson's Warblers also return in Spring looking for food and potential nest sites.

Chestnut-backed Chickadees are hardy, year-round, nesting residents in the Arboretum.

In the last few years, Common Ravens have resumed nesting and raising young in the Arboretum after being gone for decades. They are now year-round residents.

At about the same time as the ravens returned, Douglas Squirrels also returned to the Arboretum!

For many years, Cooper's Hawks have nested and raised young in the Arboretum.

Anna's Hummingbirds thrive in the Arboretum.

I am only aware of two visits by Great Horned Owls in the last 15 years...

... and only one visit by a Long-eared Owl.

Golden-crowned Kinglets are common year-round residents. Although their nests are so small and high that I have yet to see one.

I commonly see Hermit Thrush when the Fall fruit is ripe.

It is also easier to find the fruit-eating Cedar Waxwings (the bird on the right) in the Fall, occasionally, Bohemian Waxwings (the bird on the left) tag along and visit the Arboretum with their Waxwing relatives.

Townsend's Warblers are one of only two warblers that stay in the PNW year-round. Like the Anna's Hummingbirds they enjoy feeding in the the non-native, winter-blooming Mahonia in the Arboretum.

Our other year-round Warbler, the Yellow-rumped, is commonly called, a Butter Butt.

I believe multiple pairs of Barred Owls hatch young in the Arboretum every year, even if I don't always find them.

The photos above are not a complete list of all the birds found in the "forested" portion of the Arboretum. But, hopefully, they demonstrate some of the avian variety and habitat value provided by the Arboretum.

During my initial visit to the Arboretum, I overlooked the waterfront. Not only do different trees grow near water, but a different set of birds and other creatures are often found around the north end of the Arboretum.

Wood Ducks live here year-round. Surprising to some, their instinct is to lay their eggs in trees. Click Here and Here to read about their alternative accommodations on Union Bay.

Canada Geese goslings photographed in the Arboretum.

In addition to Great Blue Herons, Green Herons return here each Spring to mate and raise young.

Cinnamon Teal are more common as Spring visitors to the Union Bay Natural Area, but this one stopped in the Arboretum.

Last Summer was my first and only sighting of a Great Egret on Duck Bay, at the north end of the Arboretum.

Like Mallards, Gadwalls are year-round residents who raise their young here.

Green-winged Teals normally leave during summer.

Northern Pintails are rare during the summer as well.

Northern Shoveler can be found here year-round but are more common during the cooler months.

It may seem odd to include Downy Woodpeckers with the waterfowl mentioned above, but typically, I find the Downy Woodpeckers in Birch, Adler or Willow that grow near the northern shores of the Arboretum. They often excavate nest sites in the soft wood of standing dead trees.

Raccoons seem to prefer to nest near the water as well.

Click Here to read more about the four-legged fauna found in the Arboretum.

There are many other birds and creatures who live here, migrate through, or come just to nest and have young.

In addition to all of the benefits mentioned above the Arboretum also provides:

• A place for Seattleites to experience the healing power of nature on a daily basis,
• A site for the Japanese Garden and its unique suite of cultural experiences,
• A place where individual (and corporate) volunteers can donate their time, see the immediate impact of their work, and get healthy exercise.
• A place where everyone in our society is appreciated, welcome and can work together for a healthier future.

The Future:

In many ways the Arboretum is perched on the edge of its nest, flexing its wings and preparing to soar like never before. Two excellent examples include:

A) During the next decade, the 28 acres of WSDOT/Montlake Peninsula will be reunited with the Arboretum. This will enable expansion of the collections, new pathways and public access, new gathering places, improvements to Lake Washington Blvd, the daylighting of Arboretum Creek, and numerous other, as yet undefined, potential improvements.

B) In addition, due to donor support, volunteer efforts, and strong leadership from the Arboretum's three partner organizations (SPR, UWBG, & AF), the Arboretum is poised to expand its outreach and community involvement.

I noticed that the recent state-funded survey of park visitors inspired two very important goals for the Arboretum.

• Welcoming with open arms all members of our society and
• Expanding our visitor's relationship with nature.

The next step to the future for the Arboretum is the Botanical Bash. This year in addition to the Garden Show there will be music and dance as well! Come join the fun! or...If you are pressed for time, there is even a virtual option!

Please support a thriving future for the Arboretum!

These last three photos were provided by Alasbastro Photography.

To join the Botanical Bash (In person or virtual) Click Here.

********************

Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!

Larry

Going Native:

Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and the local native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape. 

I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:

1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.

2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)

3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.

4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants. 

*************** 

Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season. 

Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.

This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030

The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard: 

Click Here

Additional content available here:

https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf

******************

In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms. 

The following photos show four native plants found yesterday in the Arboretum. Identifying them in mid-winter may not seem like a critical skill. However, if you can ID these plants now, when they are clearly not flowering, then you will essential know (and be able to protect them) year-round.  So...Can you guess their names?

A)

B)

C)

D)

Scroll down for the answers.

******************

A) Salmonberry

B) Oceanspray

C) Osoberry

D) Snowberry

You may have noticed that the Salmonberry stem changes direction slightly at each bud juncture.On the other hand, the direction of growth for the Osoberry twig proceeds in the same direct, without any change, at each bud.  

*****************

The Email Challenge:

Over the years, I have had many readers tell me that Google is no longer sending them email announcements. As of 2021, Google has discontinued the service.

In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:

                Larry, Please add me to your personal email list. 

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Thank you!

*******************

The Comment Challenge:

Another common issue is losing your input while attempting to leave a comment on this blog. Often everything functions fine, however, sometimes people are unable to make it past the robot-detection challenge or maybe it is the lack of a Google account. I am uncertain about the precise issue. Sadly, a person can lose their comment with no recovery recourse. 
Bottom Line: 
If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.

My email address is:  

                     LDHubbell@comcast.net

Sincerely,

Larry