One more response to the Monticello Park discussion...
The migrants moving through our area in the spring are feeding on the insects
and other invertebrates that are already out and about, and the birds need
the invertebrate food resource for energy to make it on to their breeding
grounds. The timing of the migrants' spring journey through here,
synchronized with plant and insect cycles, is no accident.
Most of the invertebrates are feeding on native plants. When you study the
more notorious invasive exotic plants in our area, rarely will you see much
(if any) feeding damage. Why? Exactly because those plants are not native to
our area, and our native invertebrates generally are not adapted to feed on
them. That's partly why such exotic plants are so invasive - here, their
natural enemies are absent. The invasive plants also destroy native plant
diversity over time. More invasive plants mean fewer invertebrates and native
plants, and fewer invertebrates mean fewer migrants. So, if you like our
native migratory birds and want to help them out, you should support efforts
to control invasive plants.
If you can, try to observe and compare the diversity and abundance of
migrants in areas that are overrun with invasive vegetation versus areas with
healthy native plant communities. I believe you'll find that the most
invasives-overrun areas are impoverished compared to the others. You may also
be able to observe that fewer insects are present in severely-infested areas.
Also, invasive vegetation provides poor nesting habitat for most native
birds. English ivy-covered areas prevent birds from working the leaf litter
and appear to provoke predator-avoidance responses.
As one more note, how many of us get warm, fuzzy feelings about places with
abundant house sparrows, rock doves, and starlings - the invasive exotics of
our bird world? Invasive non-natives, whether feathered or leafed, are not a
good thing for the ecosystem.
I agree with previous comments that there may be better alternative timings
and techniques for invasive plant control efforts, and that we are all
learning as we go along. But please consider how controlling invasives is
crucial for the future of our native wildlife and plants. Migrants included!
Cheers,
Steve Young
steveyoung@xxxxxxx
Arlington, Virginia
Frequent weed whacker and sometime birder - our resident Eastern
Towhees like the areas we've cleared of English ivy so they can access the
leaf litter!
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