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2020 SPRING HOME & GARDEN
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SPRING 2020
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SONGBIRD HABITAT By Melissa Erickson More Content Now
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ecause of migration it’s common to see different birds in the backyard during different times of year, but bird lovers across the country most likely have noticed seeing fewer birds overall. The most recent general report, published in the journal Science, found that bird populations have declined by nearly 3 billion since 1970, said Bob Sallinger, director of conservation at Portland Audubon. “It paints a very dire picture for North American birds, including many species that people think of as common,” he said. “The numbers are staggering, but not all that different from what we’re seeing with insects,” said Becca Rodomsky-Bish, nest record archivist with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who also works on the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, which took place Feb. 14-17.
Scientists are piecing together just what has led to the decline in North American songbirds, pointing to habitat loss, climate change and human intervention including pesticides and free-roaming cats, Rodomsky-Bish said. Because they are easy to see, identify and count, birds are excellent indicators of habitat and environmental health, she said. While it can seem difficult as individuals to make a difference on environmental factors, homeowners can work to create habitat and participate in activities that benefit local bird populations.
Provide food While some birds come and go, resident birds such as cardinals, blue jays, starlings and junkos can be found everywhere. These birds are like us: If there’s food and habitat, they’re happy to stay, Rodomsky-Bish said. If there’s a reliable food source even migratory birds can be lured into staying put in a home’s backyard, she said. Bird feeders seem to be a great way to make your yard more welcoming, but they should be used to augment native plants as a food source. “Feeders are awesome, but they’re like low-hanging fruit. The bottom line is, we want to do things to make the yard a more sustainable habitat,” Rodomsky-Bish said. Help nature thrive by adding nut- and berry-producing native plants and shrubs, which provide food and protection for birds, she said. Avoid using pesticides in your yard or garden. Make windows safer One billion birds are estimated to die each year because of flying into windows, according to a 2014 study from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. “Collisions are a huge problem,” Rodomsky-Bish said. An easy fix is simply closing curtains or installing screens or store-bought decals, which break up the window’s reflection. “Birds see like people see,” she said. Go outside your house. If you look at a window and see a reflection of a tree, that’s what birds are seeing. Be a citizen scientist Watching and counting what birds live in your yard or community can help scientists track the health of bird species. In addition to the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, other citizen scientist programs include ebird, Project FeederWatch, Christmas Bird Count, Breeding Bird Survey and the International Shorebird Survey. “It’s easy to see ourselves as different, but birds are the literal canaries in the coal mine,” Rodomsky-Bish said. “When we see these declines, we should take pause. We are part of the same food web. What does their decline mean for other animals and ourselves?”
Benefits of a Freestanding Tub
Few home design elements provide the instant wow factor of freestanding tubs. Freestanding tubs have an air of luxury that can help current homeowners relax, and impress buyers when homes go on the market. Freestanding tubs are typically made of cast iron or porcelain. The home improvement website HomeAdvisor notes that cast iron is durable and solid and retains heat well, which is great for those who want to spend more than a little time relaxing in a freestanding tub. However, because cast iron is so heavy, installing a cast iron tub may require structural reinforcement of the flooring, which will add to the overall cost of the project. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to install a tub varies widely depending on the type of tub, the materials its made of and other factors, including plumbing and piping. For example, the cost to install a freestanding tub will rise considerably if new plumbing and piping are necessary. Before purchasing a freestanding tub, homeowners should seek estimates regarding installation, making sure to get them in writing. Contractors will determine if structural reinforcement is necessary and include such costs in their estimates. In addition, make sure to ask contractors to investigate piping and plumbing so no surprises pop up after the tub has been purchased and work has begun. If estimates from contractors aren’t budget busting, homeowners can consider these benefits of freestanding tubs before making their final decisions. • Cleaning: Because they’re detached from other bathroom fixtures and not flush against the wall, freestanding tubs tend to be easier to clean than built-in bathtubs. Freestanding tubs are accessible from all sides, making it easy to reach all those nooks and crannies where grime can build up. • Return on investment: In its 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report, Remodeling magazine noted that upscale bathroom remodels recouped 56.2 percent of their cost at resale. That was a better return on investment than an upscale kitchen remodel (53.5 percent) and an upscale master suite addition (48.3 percent). The thought of a sizable return on investment can make relaxing in a freestanding tub that much more enjoyable. • Warmth: Even freestanding tubs made of materials other than cast iron offer great heat retention. Stone resin bathtubs, for example, provide excellent insulation on cold nights. That’s ideal for people who want to unwind in the tub without having to exit early because the water has become cold. Freestanding tubs can transform regular bathrooms into luxurious oases. SH192665