A beautiful day for a walk

When I take my dog for our daily walk the comment from neighbors has changed from “it’s chilly out” to “beautiful day for a walk.”

This is the time in Texas to be outside and open the windows inside. Everywhere there are sights, sounds and smells to stimulate the senses. But what if we lost the wonderful and varied sounds of our native Texas birds and regular migrants? Unfortunately, this scenario is all too close to reality. The journal “Science” reports that, in the last 50 years, there was a 30% loss in the number of individual birds in North America.

There are major reasons for this drop in bird numbers, including agricultural and logging practices, habitat loss and climate change. As individuals, we may not be able to effect a change in these areas, but there are very specific ways you and I can help. Here’s a list of songbird- saving actions: 1. Make Windows Safer: We all know the sound of a bird hitting a window. Placing feeding stations within three feet of a window or beyond 10 feet will help prevent this. 2. Keep Cats Indoors: Even the well-fed kitty will instinctively try to catch and kill birds.

3. Plant Native Plants: This will help counteract the huge problem of habitat loss. 4. Drink Bird-Friendly Coffee: Look for shade-grown coffee to help preserve the native forests birds depend upon. 5. Avoid Pesticides: Pesticide use harms birds through poisoning and indirectly by reducing natural food supplies. 6. Reduce Plastics: Birds may feed on plastic mistaking it for food. This often leads to death. 7. Watch Birds: By doing so, you’ll come to realize how these feathered fliers enhance our everyday lives.

Let’s all keep Wimberley beautiful by protecting the songbirds!