Thursday, October 1st, 2020

Bird-friendly habitats

Expert says the right plants will bring back birds

By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - Ohioans can bring songbirds and hummingbirds into the backyard with "birdscaping" - landscaping lawns and gardens with native plants.
Marne Titchenell, an Ohio State University Extension wildlife program specialist, spoke online Wednesday evening during the final Mercer County OSU Extension lawn and garden talk for 2020.
"Given the value we place on birds and the fact that many species are declining, we need to take steps now to provide habitat for birds," Titchenell said in an email before the presentation. "Habitat can be provided no matter where you live - rural to urban."
Of all birds, 5,300 species are songbirds, such as warblers, chickadees, swallows, orioles, blackbirds, finches, jays and wrens, Titchenell said. Ohio is home to only one type of hummingbird, which is the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Titchenell said bringing birds into the backyard has plenty of value. Around one in five adults in the U.S. take time to watch birds, whether it be with binoculars or over a morning cup of coffee, she said. And birds are great for pest management, pollination and seed dispersal.
A bird-friendly habitat should be diverse in plants and offer a combination of characteristics, such as flowers that are nectar-rich, trees or bushes that provide shade from heat, plants with thorns or spines to protect birds from predators or plants that produce fruits, seeds or nuts for food, she said.
A variety of native plants will attract the greatest diversity of bird species, Titchenell said. Plants that bloom and provide food in different seasons throughout the year are also beneficial to birds.
Herbaceous plants are a great source of seeds, insects and nesting material, she continued, saying a variety of native plants are already in many Ohioans' backyards. Sunflowers, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, milkweed and ironweed will not only attract birds but also butterflies and other wildlife.
Hummingbirds prefer plants such as foxglove, great blue lobelia, cardinal flower, beebalms and jewelweed. Titchenell said hummingbirds typically choose flowers that are tubular, horizontally positioned and often red and/or orange in color.
Shrubs can provide food, shelter and nesting material for native and migratory birds, she said. Holly, red osier dogwood and viburnum shrubs often provide beautiful blooms or berries for birds.
Coniferous trees such as spruces and eastern red cedar provide winter cover and food. Deciduous trees such as flowering dogwood and serviceberry trees are also great sources of cover and food.
Titchenell said her favorite tree may be the serviceberry, which she said birds near her home pick clean as soon as the berries ripen. The berries also are edible by humans and have a slightly sweet flavor, she added.
Hummingbirds are partial to trees such as bottlebrush buckeye, red buckeye and yellow poplar. River birch trees attract finches, nuthatches and woodpeckers and also are attractive to butterflies and moths. Oak, willow, cherry, plum and birch trees provide both food and shelter for birds such as red-eyed vireos, black-capped chickadees and bluejays.
"Putting plants out there, trees especially, that are known to support a lot of butterflies, moths and skippers is definitely a good thing to do," Titchenell said. "Especially if you want to provide habitat to some of those birds that migrate."
She said the more a yard reflects the diversity and structure of nature, the better it will support wildlife. People can also leave their plants standing at the end of their season to support spring migrants and year-round residents that are looking for last season's seeds, bugs and nesting material.
People should also consider providing winter habitats for birds.
Shrubs such as holly and viburnums and trees such as crabapples, choke cherries, sumac, hawthorn and coniferous varieties provide food and shelter for the year-round residents, Titchenell said.
Landscapes with high native plant diversity are at less risk of pest outbreaks, Titchenell said. Native plants, including flowering perennials, invite more beneficial insects and predators.
For the folks looking to add non-plant additions to their yards to invite more birds, a variety of bird feeders at various heights placed near shrubs or trees can help, Titchenell said. Birds also need water, so bird baths can be a welcome addition to any backyard.
Chickadees, titmice and finches prefer elevated feeders, while doves, sparrows and jays like feeders that are flat like tables. Ground feeders are well-liked by juncos, mourning doves and sparrows. And sunflower, safflower and suet seeds are all safe bets when it comes to seed preferences, she said.
While these non-plant additions can be helpful, Titchenell said a diverse yard with native plants should be the focus.
"Bird feeders and bird baths work to enhance, but the plants should be the backbone," she said.
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WAPAKONETA - A Celina man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter in connection with a fatal traffic accident in June.
WAPAKONETA - Thirty Auglaize County businesses are set to receive Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act funding from the Auglaize County commissioners as part of the county's small business relief grant program.
CELINA - A program that uses growing plants to steer youth onto the right path continues to flourish in its third year in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WAPAKONETA - The Auglaize County Health Department reported its third death from COVID-19 in two days on Wednesday, raising the number of deaths in the county to 13.
Much like Ohio State and Michigan, Celina and St. Marys playing in the final game of football's regular season just seems appropriate.
And this year, it could possibly be a scouting session for both teams.
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  This past weekend saw the last games played before coaches vote on the seeding that will be used to determine playoff matchups. That makes this a bi
ST. HENRY vs. FORT RECOVERYBarrenbrugge Athletic Park
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Celina
Editor's Note: The Daily Standard asked local band directors to share their thoughts about how their band have reacted to this year's challenging conditions.
Coldwater
By DAN RUCKMAN
and KATIE KLOSTERMAN
Coldwater band directors
We would like to take this opportunity to salute the hard-working and talented members of the 2020 Coldwater Marching Band.
Fort Recovery
By REID KNUTH
Fort Recovery High School Band Director
The 2020 Fort Recovery High School Marching Band has had our season drastically reduced and altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as so many aspects of our lives have.
Marion Local
By BRAD SPETTEL
Marion Local High School Director of Bands
I've always been impressed with the strength and resiliency of the Marion Local Band, and this year has been no exception.
Minster
By JENNIFER L. BEAIR
Minster Local Schools band director
We believe that the new rules have impacted students in various ways. The premise of ba
New Bremen
By Rachel Wrobbel
New Bremen schools director of bands
The Cardinal Marching Band at New Bremen has risen to this unique situation. Our rehearsals look different this year, with the majority of them being held outdoors.
Parkway
By Ryan Twigg
Parkway Band director
It's my pleasure to introduce the 2020 Parkway High School Marching Band.
With 76 students in the marching band, it continues to be one of the largest student organizations at our school.
St. Henry
By Elisha Hartings
St. Henry Band director
The new rules and regulations have caused the band to find creative ways to bond and learn. Normally, we are in an environment where we can all intermingle and enjoy making music together, but things were different this year.