2011: International Year of Forests...Forest birds and neo-tropical connections

In Missouri, 428 species of birds have been recorded. 

One hundred and seventy of those species breed here every year; 84 of them leave Missouri for the winter and 58 of them go further and leave the United States.  The latter include what is called neo-tropical migrants.  Unfortunately many neo-tropical birds have suffered population declines since the ‘60s (when tracking birds first started).  Many songbird populations are half of their 1965 populations.

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird--possibly one of the best known of the neo-tropical migrants

Missouri forests, and wildlife resources in general, have made a remarkable recovery from the early 20th century.  In the past 20 years, Missouri has had an increase of 1 million acres of forested land--making a total of 14 million acres.  Still, forest fragmentation may play a role in the survival of certain bird populations.   Fragmentation is a discontinuity of a particular type of habitat and forest fragmentation increases with land-use conversion.

For example, forest fragmentation in many areas has put brown-headed cowbirds in closer proximity to forests, when historically they were found in open land and grassland habitats, like the great plains.  Brown-headed cowbirds use brood parasitism as a nesting strategy.  Females will lay eggs in the nests of other bird species.  These host birds will usually end up raising the cowbird at the expense of their own young.  Many open land and grassland species have learned to recognize the cowbird’s egg and push it out, but forest birds are not familiar with them.  Cowbird eggs hatch earlier, grow faster and often push the host young and/or eggs out of the nest.  This is just one example that can over time reduce the populations of forest birds. 

Brown-headed Cowbirds parasitize the nests of native birds

Habitat loss is also occurring in wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America, where our neo-tropical migrants may spend up to 8 months.  Much of Central America has been converting from independent farming to large-scale agriculture and non-sustainable timber harvesting.  Also, not helping the situation is the continuous human population increases, putting more pressure on the already stressed land.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has built partnerships with states and countries with shared bird species.  Four main bird conservation initiatives are the leaders in coordinating efforts on managing habitats and learning more about species: Partners in Flight, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, US Shorebird Conservation Plan and North American Water Bird Plan.  These sources help guide state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and industries on land management issues, and help rank the species and habitats by priority for conservation concern. 

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

2011: International Year of Forests Fun, Easy Outdoor Activities for Kids

Hurry!  Before winter arrives!  

Get your kids outside for some fun, easy activities that will get them better acquainted with the forest.   These would also be excellent activities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts—or for a teacher to do with his or her class.

Take them on a micro-hike!  They’ll discover the tiny world that lies just beneath their feet.  Be prepared for their hands and knees to get dirty!  This activity can be done in the forest or right in your backyard.  You’ll need: 20-30 feet of string for each child, magnifying glasses, pens, journal paper, plant and insect field guides (optional).  Have the kids each stretch their string across an area--it doesn’t have to be straight.  It can run along fallen logs, over stumps, around tree trunks or rocks, through a shallow creek, or along it.  Now they can get down on their hands and knees, starting at one end of the string, and slowly move along the string, examining everything in its path with a magnifying glass. Be careful with the magnifying glasses.  Especially on sunny days the magnifying glasses can intensify sun light to the point where fires can be started.

Have them look for different types of plants, including mosses and fallen leaves.  Look for fungi and lichens of different forms.  If they move any fallen leaves, rocks, logs, or fallen branches, be sure to tell them to do it gently and to return them where they found them.  They are sure to find insects and other invertebrates.  When they’re done, they can write down what they’ve seen, and compare with each other.  They can also take turns showing each other the things they found to be most interesting on their hike.

Smell some leaves!  On your next walk or hike through the forest, have the kids help you collect some leaves from trees (don’t forget evergreen trees!), shrubs, small plants and grasses.  When you arrive home, have them gather at the table and prepare for leaf sniffing time!  If you have a tree or plant field guide, see if they can identify some of them or at least separate them into different categories.  Then one at a time, rub a leaf in your hand and have them each smell it.  Let them each write down or say out loud what they think it smells like.  Some leaves smell musty, others smell sweet, spicy, fresh or sharp.  If the leaf is from a black birch tree, when crushed it will smell like root beer!  Sassafras crushed leaves are said to have a “pleasing medicinal scent,” whereas black walnut leaves have a spicy scent.

What Lives in a Tree?  To find out you’ll need: a tree with an easy to reach branch, a white bed sheet, and a magnifying glass.  Once you’ve found a tree, have two people stretch the white sheet under the tree branch, getting as close to the branch as possible.  Shake the branch vigorously for about one minute.  Lay the sheet on the ground and have the kids observe what has fallen.  Did the tree drop any seeds, nuts or fruits?  Help them to identify some of the insects using a field guide.  There may also be spiders and caterpillars! 

Next try this again with a different tree.  Are there differences in what is found among deciduous and coniferous trees?  Explain that to be deciduous, the tree or shrub has leaves that change color in the autumn and are dropped before the winter (depending on where you live).  Most coniferous trees and shrubs have long, thin, needle-like leaves.  Most keep these year round and are often called evergreen. 

The World Bird Sanctuary has several trails through our oak-hickory forest where we invite you to try these fun activities with your kids and their friends!

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

2011: International Year of Forests

Activities for Kids: Getting to know a tree and making leaf-print t-shirts

A forest can be a child’s paradise.  Even for many adults a forest can be a calming escape from daily life, with its filtering light, sweet air and soaring trees.  Some are lucky enough to live in or near a forest.  For those that live in towns or cities, getting your family to a forest is a worthwhile trip.  Before you leave, pack some blindfolds for the kids.  For information on trails near St. Louis, Click Here http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_7040.asp. 

The World Bird Sanctuary also has several trails through our forest that are open to the public.  Once your family has reached the forest destination, it’s time to break out the blindfolds!  Spin your blindfolded kids around a few times, and then lead them each to a different tree.  Encourage them to feel the texture of the bark with their hands, to take in the earthy smell.  Have them slowly walk around the tree with outstretched arms feeling high and low for any other trees and plants growing nearby.  Encourage them to feel as high as they can on the tree to see if they can reach any of its branches.  Feel the base of it to see if any roots are showing.  Next, have them wrap their arms as far around the trunk as they can to get an idea of its size.  When they are done exploring with touch and smell, lead them away from their individual tree, remove the blindfolds and ask them to find “their” tree.  They can repeat the touching, smelling, and hugging until they find their woody friend.      

A fun way to remember your day in the forest is to make a leaf-print t-shirt.  While in the forest, collect a variety of leaves in different shapes and sizes.  Fresh green leaves work best, but be sure to not take too many from one tree.  Also needed for this project is a pre-washed dark color t-shirt.  To get started, put several layers of newspaper inside the body and sleeves of the shirt.  Lay the shirt on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles.  Arrange the leaves in a pattern on the shirt, weighing them down with small stones or coins along the edges.

 T-shirt with leaves weighed down by coins ready to be sprayed

For a non-toxic approach, mix equal parts white vinegar with lemon juice in a spray bottle.  Spray the shirt thoroughly and leave it in the sun for several hours.  For faster results, mix one part bleach with three parts water and spray the shirt carefully, dunking it in cold water right after you spray.  The result is a tie-died leaf effect!

Another method for kids who are a bit older involves fabric paint.  When you arrive home with your leaves, flatten them by placing them in between newspaper on a flat surface with books on top for about a week.  The following materials will be needed: fabric paints, pre-washed white t-shirt, paintbrushes, small craft sponges (not kitchen sponges) and paper plates (for pallets).

To get started, again put several layers of newspaper inside the body and sleeves of the shirt to keep paint from bleeding through to the back.  Lay the shirt on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles.  Use a paintbrush to paint a craft sponge with one color.  Dab (not wipe) the sponge on the veiny side of a leaf.  Then press the painted side down on the shirt and press firmly in all areas.  Advise the kids to keep their fingers paint free to avoid getting fingerprints on the shirt.  It is also recommended to make test prints on paper first.  To avoid the colors becoming muddy, be sure the kids fully rinse brushes and sponges before using a different color.  These T-shirts can be machine washed, but only after the paint has been heat set according to the directions on the fabric paint bottles.

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist