by Alexis Heinz, former EEB GSI studying conservation ecology and landscape architecture
According to researchers in Europe, birds are seen as a measure of environmental quality. Their presence indicates a healthier ecosystem with the necessary structural components to support foraging and breeding activities.
According to researchers in Europe, birds are seen as a measure of environmental quality. Their presence indicates a healthier ecosystem with the necessary structural components to support foraging and breeding activities.
Marsh birds appreciate open mud flats with compacted soils resulting in permanent water levels. Dead snags and downed wood support their lifestyles, too. Grebes, Plovers, Sandpipers, and Dunlins frequent these locations. Yellow-legged sandpipers explore the water for food with their long bills. Sandhill cranes swoop down to the ground in larger numbers. Wood ducks swim in pairs where the water is deeper.
Drawing of a Cape May Warbler from the Audubon Field Guide.
In meadow-forest edge environments in autumn, many warblers populate the birding scene. Blackburnians, Tennessee, Nashville, Blue-throated Green, Black Poll, Magnolia, Cape May. The list of those belonging to the Parulinae subfamily of the family Emberizidae is extensive. Luckily, the names often clearly describe their appearance. This family also includes the subfamily Thraupinae (Tanagers), Cardinalinae (Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies), Emberizidae (New World Sparrows and Allies), and Icterinae (New World Blackbirds and Allies). Additional birds seen are the sparrows. Field Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, and Song Sparrows are distinguishable once one notices a few key features. Song Sparrows have a stripe near their eye, while Song Sparrows have a pinkish bill. Fox Sparrows have gray and rust colors around their neck and on their wings.
Drawing of a Fox Sparrow from the Audubon Field Guide.
Who cares about all this detail and knowing the names of these species? Well, the experience is a bit like walking into a party and knowing people’s names. An instant sense of comraderie exists. And returning to the same location, one sees the same birds, so added familiarity develops.
Combining knowledge of the names of overstory trees, understory forbs, the occasional mammal, amphibian, reptile, or arthropod, a diversity of organisms fills the natural world. The entire network is a collection of familiar friends to the frequenting naturalist.
Concerning the philosophy of ecology and the mode of science, the observing naturalist has a role to play as well. In some cases, simply acting as an observer or recorder of the fecundity of nature is a glorious responsibility to fulfill. In other situations, an active role requires stewardship activities. Other times, the natural world is a flourishing backdrop supporting recreation. The contained pieces function in concert with each other, permitting and enhancing the successful performance of each participant. And so, the ecosystem cycles and grows, ebbs and flows.
Copyright 2018 by Alexis Heinz. For questions or permissions contact akheinz@umich.edu