August 13, 2021
The Birds and the Bees |
The Birds
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is still tracking and attempting to managing a new disease that is affecting songbirds and becoming increasingly common in the New England region. They are collaborating with the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) in the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science at UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and they are asking for the public's help too.
If you find a bird with a crusty eye and discharge, or one that is exhibiting neurological problems such as balance issues, seizures or abnormal head shaking, DEEP wants you to catch the bird and put it in a cardboard box, then contact a wildlife rehabilitator. The birds will receive treatment and samples will be taken and tested to help understand the disease.
Any deceased birds should be reported online.
Finally, continue to keep bird feeders down so that the birds don't spread the disease as quickly through close contact with each other. These simple actions can help keep Connecticut's beautiful songbirds, including the Blue Jay, healthy.
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A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) with a peanut in its beak Date 20 October 2007 13 Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Photo by Saforrest
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Blue Jay
Below are three interesting facts about Blue Jays according to
The Cornell Lab website "All About Birds."
"Blue Jays are known for their intelligence and complex social systems, and have tight family bonds. They often mate for life, remaining with their social mate throughout the year." (Life History, Behavior)
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"The Blue Jay frequently mimics the calls of hawks, especially the Red-shouldered Hawk. These calls may provide information to other jays that a hawk is around, or may be used to deceive other species into believing a hawk is present." (Overview, Cool Facts)
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"The black bridle across the face, nape, and throat varies extensively and may help Blue Jays recognize one another." (Overview, Cool Facts)
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Blue Jay in flight by Jim Ridley 2010. Date 20 July 2017 Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons |
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and the Bees
Pollinators, including bees, need our help too! According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), pesticide application and parasites have been identified as two sources influencing their decline but we can help.
There are a few simple things we can do to help bees and other pollinators like butterflies and moths not only survive but thrive. Limit use of insecticides and pesticides, but when usage is necessary, only apply them when pollinators are inactive. Applying these chemicals to the parts of the plant that do not have flowers can also be helpful, by limiting their exposure to the pollinators while they are visiting the flowers.
Planting native plant species that bloom from early spring through late autumn is another way to support pollinators. This creates a year round garden where pollinators can flourish.
If you would like to learn more about pollinators, Nowashe Educator and Master Gardener, Judith Dreyer, will speak about their role in nature and the threats they face this Saturday, August 14th from 1-3 in Nowashe Village. |
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| Bees
Below are three interesting facts about Bees according to
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) website -
Connecticut is home to more than 300 different species of bees, including squash bees, carpenter bees, mason bees, bumble bees and honey bees.
- Some bees are social beings, like honey bees and bumble bees, but most of the 300 Connecticut bee species are solitary, meaning that they do not form colonies.
- A honey bee colony can consist of tens of thousands of individuals capable of producing an excess of honey that humans can harvest without compromising the bees' food supply.
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