Ask Maine Audubon: Targeting pests can impact any other species in the area

A browntail caterpillar is proven feeding on a plant, however bear in mind any insecticide or insect management you employ to fight the browntails may have an effect on another species that is available in contact. Maine Forest Service by way of AP

Very often, when somebody needs to take an motion of their yard or panorama, they ship a query to us at Maine Audubon asking, “Will this have an effect on our birds?” A query that was new to me not too long ago was one asking if spreading diatomaceous earth might have an effect on birds foraging within the space. The short reply is that there’s basically no hurt, however we must always at all times maintain the whole image in thoughts and take into consideration any oblique penalties.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a non-toxic powder manufactured from fossilized stays of single-celled aquatic organisms referred to as diatoms (therefore the identify). It has many purposes however we’ll concentrate on its use as an insecticide in gardens right here. DE works by dehydrating bugs that are available in contact with it, particularly ground-dwelling pests like slugs, maggots, aphids, and ants. It’s value noting that DE is non-selective and could be deadly to most bugs that are available in contact with it. Due to this, it needs to be used sparingly as a result of these bugs are an vital meals supply for our birds. If we wipe out all of the bugs, there will likely be no meals for our subsequent technology of birds.

Browntail moth controls are one other good instance of when our actions can have unintended and oblique results on our birds. A standard management for browntail caterpillars proper now could be spraying Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on leaves of oaks and apple timber because the caterpillars are rising. Bt is an natural insecticide that, when ingested, causes caterpillars’ abdomen linings to rupture, killing them from the within out. Given the pores and skin irritation and respiratory points these non-native caterpillars could cause folks, that destiny may not sound so horrible. However once more, just like the Diatomaceous earth, Bt is indiscriminate by which caterpillar species it kills. Any caterpillar that consumes the leaves which have been sprayed with Bt will undergo that very same destiny.

The takeaway right here is that whereas there are a number of non-toxic or natural pesticides accessible available on the market, we must always nonetheless concentrate on the very fact they’re pesticides. As we proceed to see insect populations decline, on the dimensions of what has been termed an “insect apocalypse,” we must always concentrate on the impacts we’re having and take into account all the implications fastidiously earlier than taking any actions.

HELP IDENTIFY BIRD SONGS

One in every of my favourite abilities as a birder is having the ability to establish birds with out truly seeing them. Recognizing the songs and calls that birds make might be some of the difficult issues to study, as a result of let’s be trustworthy, it’s exhausting. There are lots of birds, making lots of noises, and sometimes you’ll be able to’t see them so it turns into unattainable to know who or what’s making that noise – till now. Due to an replace to Cornell’s Merlin Chook ID app, it may now establish any birds that your cellphone’s microphone can choose up. (Obtain the Merlin Chook ID by Cornell Lab and select Sound ID on the beginning display.)

This free app is fairly outstanding. Due to about 80 volunteers annotating over 70,000 recordings, the app has been skilled to establish greater than 450 species of birds in North America by their vocalizations. This can be a huge enchancment over previous makes an attempt that require the person to specify which noises needs to be recognized. Merlin will merely produce a listing of probably species in actual time, because the birds are singing.

The one factor each person wants to pay attention to is that it isn’t excellent. From Merlin’s personal assist heart, they reply the query: “Is Merlin at all times proper? No. Merlin reveals a listing of attainable birds based mostly on the songs and calls you recorded, and matches that with the birds which might be probably in your space.” Customers ought to at all times affirm what the app is suggesting, by evaluating to the included recordings, or ideally, getting a visible affirmation. One widespread mistake I’m seeing made proper now could be that lots of people are reporting Philadelphia vireos, which have an almost an identical tune to the far more widespread red-eyed vireo. These songs are comparable sufficient that Merlin is definitely tricked, however birders are sadly reporting all of those Merlin-identified Philadelphia vireos to websites like Cornell’s eBird (a web-based database for hen sightings). This spring, Philadelphia vireos are being reported with greater than twice the frequency in Maine than in any previous 12 months.

So needless to say, when utilizing the app, with nice energy comes nice duty. Go obtain the app. Use it to listen to what could be round you. Then monitor down these strategies and get a visible affirmation, not less than earlier than you submit that sighting to eBird. When I’m main hen walks and other people ask “how are you aware that hen tune?” I joke that so long as I reply with confidence, folks will imagine me. Beware that Merlin might also give off a very assured vibe.

Do you might have a nature query for Doug? Electronic mail inquiries to [email protected] and go to maineaudubon.org to study extra about yard birding, native vegetation, and packages and occasions specializing in Maine wildlife and habitat. Doug leads free hen walks on Thursday mornings, 7 to 9 a.m., on the Gilsland Farm Audubon Sanctuary in Falmouth.

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