Birds

Efforts to restore and preserve bird habitats are occurring with greater frequency throughout North America. Joint habitat ventures between the governments of the United States and Canada, and among authorities on state and local levels, provide for the restoration of coastal marshes, emergent wetlands, and other wild places. Governments and environmentalist organizations acquire land, procure conservation easements, and draw up agreements with private landowners to further preserve bird habitats, an important achievement as population pressures and urban sprawl devour land at an unprecedented pace.

Increasingly, rural and urban residents also work to enhance bird habitats. Some ranchers rotate grazing lands, allowing vegetation and land important to birds to rest and grow. Farmers allow the seasonal flooding of active croplands, providing nesting sites for birds.

People and organizations in cities and towns construct nesting islands and structures for waterfowl and songbirds. The incorporation of ponds and waterways into suburban and urban developments and the consideration of these criteria in city planning will also become a larger part of conservation efforts.

Bird populations respond positively to positive changes in the landscape. The populations of several bird species, notably certain varieties of ducks and geese, have increased in recent years. As bird populations in or near human habitations increase, or vice versa, people and birds will encounter one another more often.

People deal with many bird related problems already, but often do not "solve" these problems in a humane or lasting way. Many businesses and property owners poison pigeons and other birds that roost in and around buildings, in an effort to control their populations and limit property damage.

More humane methods are available to counter problems with birds. Different birds require different solutions, as the problems presented by pigeons roosting on buildings, songbirds entering homes, woodpeckers pecking walls all must be solved differently.

Homeowners and businesses can take some or all of the following measures:

• Use reflective tape, balloons, or other devices to scare birds away from gardens, etc. Protect fruit trees and garden plants with netting.
• Attach wood or metal at a steep angle to keep pigeons from roosting on ledges.
• Install bird wire to prevent birds from landing on ledges.
• Cover places that woodpeckers like to peck with lightweight mesh nylon or plastic netting.