[TN-Bird] species in decline due to habitat
- From: Joan C Reese/ADAG/WEST/EXT/UTIA <jreese5@xxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 12:52:07 -0600
Carol Reese
Ornamental Horticulture Specialist -Western District
University of Tennessee Extension Service
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson TN 38301
731 425 4721 email jreese5@xxxxxxx
Jeff makes a very good point about the changes in habitat, and I try to get
this across at all the landscape programs and master gardener classes that
I teach. I have also written columns about the detrimental effects of
fescue grass on quail and other ground-feeding birds. (Why isn't it listed
as an problematic invasive exotic, right up there with kudzu?) On the new
property that I purchased, I am busily encouraging the native grasses and
forbs, and trying to kill the fescue. Just next door to my place, other new
owners (who tell me how much they enjoy the wildlife) are busy trying to
kill the broomsedge, and plant fescue. I try to educate them without
sounding too pompous.
Many folks blame the quail decline on coyote or fireants. It is apparently
much easier to target some "varmint" they can shoot with guns or pesticide
than it is to take a look at their own actions and how that has impacted
the ecological community.
Luckily, many of the county agents are aware of this and are including
educational programs on establishment of native grasses and forbs for
wildlife enhancement, and maybe, just maybe, we are beginning to see a
shift in practices, but change is slow.
My neighbors across the road just cut down all the dead trees in their
yard, including the one that the pileated woodpeckers nested in last year -
said they were a danger to their children. I suppose so. At least pileateds
are a species that seem to be adapting to suburban landscapes. so that's
some comfort....
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