Innholdsfortegnelse for February/March 2021 i Birds & Blooms

I will always gush over the first purple crocus or yellow daffodil bud I spot in my yard after a long winter. That initial glimpse of a fresh bloom is an annual reminder that we made it. We survived another cold season! Crocuses and daffodils are classics, but in “Early Risers” on page 12, we share 10 more flowers you can watch for this early in the season. Read about lesser-known premier bloomers such as Dutchman’s breeches, forsythia and flowering quince—you may just fall in love and find a new spring favorite. And, in a nod to Valentine’s Day and couples of all kinds, discover surprising ways birds find mates in “Pairing Up” on page 28. Some partake in elaborate displays of courtship to enforce pair bonds. Others keep it…

1 Reticulated iris IRIS RETICULATA, ZONES 5 TO 9 Unlike other irises that stretch tall toward the sky, reticulated iris grows only a few inches high. When massed together, the abundant showy blossoms put on an amazing early spring display. Why we love it: This deer-resistant bulb flaunts deep cobalt blue petals offset by yellow markings. It makes a striking statement when mixed with snowdrops and crocuses. 2 Bloodroot SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS, ZONES 3 TO 8 Always a welcome sign that warmer weather is on the way, these large, short-lasting, white flowers have yellow centers. The flowers grow from a rhizome. Single stems with one leaf and flower emerge from the structure, slowly growing into a larger clump. Why we love it: Bloodroot craves spring sun and summer shade, so it’s…

The blue jays that visit our feeders are difficult to photograph. They’re very skittish, darting in to snatch a peanut and then quickly flying away to either enjoy it or stash it for later. Oftentimes, the greedy jays store one peanut in their craw before plucking a second one and flying away. This photo captures the blue jay’s personality in a nutshell as well as the sparkle in its eye. I used a Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a 100-400 mm zoom lens to take the shot. Linda Taylor WACO, TEXAS Springtime is exciting after a long, cold Ohio winter. Migrants are in their best colors, especially the males, and getting some nice shots is my goal. The blue-gray gnatcatcher is especially sought after—getting a photo of one is challenging,…

SPRING WATCHING Plan your trip for migration season. As part of the Atlantic migratory flyway, you’ll get a close-up view of birds heading north after a long winter. Early spring is also a fantastic time to see the resident raptors raise their young. Great horned owlets start to fledge in early spring, at the same time bald eagle chicks become much more active and visible. Year-round residents include the wood stork, Wilson’s plover, pileated woodpecker, white-eyed vireo and pine warbler. 1 Set up a daytrip with a naturalist to explore part of the island’s 11,000 acres. Organized by the only resort on the island, visitors tour the wetlands, maritime forest and beaches. You may see alligators, armadillos, dolphins and a few of the 300 species of birds that fly through.…

Find the Hummingbird In each issue, we hide a hummingbird like the one above left. Enter to win at birdsandblooms.com/contests. Winners receive a one-year subscription to Birds & Blooms. In the December/January issue, we hid it on page 9. HIDDEN OBJECT GUIDELINES No purchase necessary to enter to win. Purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes is open to legal residents age 18 years or older of the U.S., its territories and possessions, or of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec). Sweepstakes begins on Jan. 8, 2021, and ends on March 3, 2021. Visit birdsandblooms.com/contests for official rules. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes sponsored by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC Contact Us! CUSTOMER CARE For subscriptions, renewals, gifts, payments, account info and inquiries: Email: customercare@birdsandblooms.com Visit: birdsandblooms.com/customercare Write: BIRDS &…

Ruby Tears Crabapple Malus ‘Bailears’, Zones 4 to 7 Add drama and grace to any landscape with this weeping crabapple tree. Like most other crabapples, birds, pollinators and butterflies love it, especially in spring and summer when the fragrant pink blossoms turn into small fruits that last into winter. Attracts: Light needs: Full sun. Size: About 10 feet tall, growing slightly wider. Grown for: This showy tree is an excellent accent for a small garden and it attracts wildlife. Foliage: Small oval leaves turn burgundy in fall. Soil needs: Grows best in moist, well-draining soil and it tolerates drought when established.…

If you suffer from allergies, you may dread spring garden chores. Many landscapes are full of allergens, including pollen from trees, weeds and grasses; mold and microorganisms found in decomposing leaves, mulch and compost; insect venom; and irritating saps or oils. But don’t hang up the gardening gloves just yet. Warren Filley, an allergist who helped develop guidelines to let patients garden more comfortably, gives us his best tips. BIG FLOWERS, FEWER SNIFFLES Here is the great news: The plants we love for their big, pretty blooms are the same ones that Warren recommends for a low-allergen garden. He says they’re better because insects pollinate them. Plants that rely on the wind to spread their pollen are more likely to trigger allergies. So plant your garden full of the showiest…

Q Do you have creative bird feeder solutions so people living in apartments can deter squirrels? Christy England TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA Kenn and Kimberly: The good news: Discouraging squirrels is such a common problem that the bird feeding industry has worked on it a lot. Baffles can be placed under feeders to keep squirrels from climbing the posts. We’ve had success with a wire mesh around feeders, sized so that birds fit through the mesh and squirrels can’t. Another type of feeder that works well has a weighted door, which blocks access to feeding ports when anything heavier than a small bird lands on it. Read reviews first, then look for these feeders at bird feeding specialty stores or online. Q This bird stopped at our feeder with a flock of…

Mourning doves are found throughout much of North America, but there is nothing common about these graceful birds. Many passionate backyard birders find the soft, distinctive cooing of this dove to be calming and utterly peaceful. “The birds vocalize quite a lot and that’s where they get their name, because of their mournful call,” says John Rowden, who is the senior director of bird-friendly communities at the National Audubon Society. Muted Markings Both male and female mourning doves are known for their brown and gray coloring, black spots, small heads and slender tails. “They have that really amazing mix of muted tones, with beautiful defined black spots on their wings. You can sort of see an iridescence,” John says. Mourning doves are sometimes confused with Eurasian collared doves or white-winged…

American robin RANGE The U.S., Canada and parts of Mexico, but less widespread in winter. FAMILY Member of the thrush family. FOOD Prefers insects, berries and earthworms. MARKINGS Both males and females sport bright orange chests and dark heads and backs, though the female’s coloring is often more dull BEHAVIOR Typically joins large flocks of other robins during the fall and winter. European robin RANGE Throughout Europe and western Asia, and locally in northern Africa. FAMILY Member of the Old World flycatchers family. FOOD Eats mostly insects but also enjoys berries. MARKINGS Males and females look similar with orange faces and chests—sometimes outlined with a grayish border—and olive-brown heads and backs. BEHAVIOR Known for being more solitary at all seasons than the American robin.…

Keeping squirrels out of your bird feeders or gardens can seem like a losing battle—and it probably is. Urban tree squirrels live and look for food almost everywhere. So instead of waging a war you will not win, perhaps it’s time to live peacefully alongside the furry creatures. “Squirrels are among the most commonly observed backyard mammals,” says Nichole Bjornlie, a nongame mammal biologist who is based out of Wyoming. “And they can be quite entertaining.” Both Nichole and Tammi Hartung, co-owner of Desert Canyon Farm in Colorado, say you can be a good squirrel host while still preserving your gardens and bird feeders. Here are their hard-earned tips for a successful squirrel coexistence. Create a Space One of the best ways to keep squirrels (and other wild critters) away…