Protecting migrating birds — and the insects they feed on — is the theme of an open house at the bird hospital in Hudson.
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If you think you’ve seen more swallows, nighthawks, chimney swifts and sapsuckers around, you are correct. They are migrating birds, and they’re coming home now that the sap has thawed and there are more insects around for them to feast on.
There are insects during the winter, says Élise Laferrière, the education program co-ordinator at Le Nichoir bird rehabilitation centre in Hudson. But they’re harder to find, so insectivore birds migrate to stay fed.
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Even birds who don’t eat bugs as adults will feed them to their chicks because they’re high in protein.
“It’s important to protect insects so we can protect wild birds, too,” Laferrière says. That message is the theme of Le Nichoir’s open house, happening May 4.
The hospital for birds is usually closed to the public, but staff at the rehabilitation centre will carefully move their patients and reorganize the centre to showcase the work they do. The facility rehabilitates 2,500 birds each year.
Visitors will see the kitchen where food is prepared for different species of bird, a nursery with different installations for various ages and types of birds and the aviary, the last stop for birds ready to be released into the wild.
There will be guided nature walks that aren’t just about looking up: Laferrière says guests will be watching for insect pollinators, too. There will be a treasure hunt with prizes for children, face-painting, crafts and colouring pages drawn by a local artist. There will be more education tools in Le Nichoir’s classroom, including taxidermy so people can get an unusually close look at birds. There will also be a book sale — from donations, by donation.
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The event ends at 2 p.m., and will be followed at 2:30 p.m. by a seminar presented by Totem Roasters on bird-friendly coffee.
How you can help your neighbourhood birds
There is a lot of bird traffic in the sky during migration periods and not all birds are familiar with the habitat, Laferrière says. Unfortunately, that means window strikes.
If someone finds an injured bird after a window strike or other accident, they should put the bird in a box in a quiet place before calling Le Nichoir. This is so that the bird doesn’t fly away before it is examined.
“They might be in shock and in a few hours they’re able to fly, but we don’t know if there’s any internal damage or damage to their eyes,” Laferrière says.
People can put two-inch-by-two-inch decals on their windows to help prevent strikes.
Bird feeders are especially appreciated in the winter and fall as they build up fat to keep themselves warm and when it’s harder to find food. You won’t see as many birds at your feeders in the spring and summer, she says.
To use a bird feeder safely, the seed should be changed often and the feeder cleaned at least once every two weeks. If a bird with an infection — conjunctivitis is common, Laferrière says — uses the feeder and contaminates the seed, the infection will spread like wildfire.
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“Keep your cats inside, especially during the fledgling season in the summer when baby birds are leaving the nest and aren’t used to cats.” Laferrière pauses and adds: “Just keep them inside all the time.”
Plants that are native to your region are better than exotic plants because birds will recognize the food source. Important insects are associated with native plants, while those from elsewhere can introduce invasive species. Limiting pesticide use and leaving leaves on the lawn for insects to grow will also help local wildlife.
AT A GLANCE
Le Nichoir’s Migratory Bird Day takes place Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. 637 Main St., Hudson.
Bird and insect observation walks in the Clarke-Sydenham reserve will be led by local ornithology groups and naturalists. Walks are limited to 20 people per group so the birds aren’t scared away by the crowd. A schedule will be posted soon on Le Nichoir’s website, lenichoir.org.
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