header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


Let's Go Outside | Commentary by Evelyne Vandersande
| Thursday, Jan 22, 2015

evelynevandersande_mugWhat makes you decide to pick yourself up, migrate far from home, and then come back in the spring? If you are a snowbird from the human species, usually cold weather in the fall and even worse, the first frost, is a definite sign that it’s time to get the trailer ready and to go south in search of a warmer climate until springtime.

If you are an actual bird, the situation is more complex.

I had a turkey vulture roost in my backyard for many years. The timing of their migration at first was puzzling to me. They would leave for a warmer climate at the end of September, which made sense from our human point of view: The days were getting shorter, and it might be time to look for a better place to hunt during the day.

But they would always be punctual in returning the first week of January when it’s still rather cold by our Californian standard. Not as cold as December, when we often have a few days of frost, but not balmy weather every day, by any means.

turkeyvulture That is human thinking, so we have to put on our “bird hat” to understand why they do what they do, when they do it.

The two objectives in a bird’s life are to find food and to reproduce. The reproducing was the reason for this early return. The roost is only a gathering place where the birds come to be together at the end of the day. There is safety in being among a large number of birds at a time when the defenses are down as you sleep.

The theory is also that it can help them to find food. If one bird finds prey before coming to the roost, in the morning it will go back to that prey, and the other birds will follow it. It is only a theory and is hard to prove.

The roost is never the place where turkey vultures would nest; they choose a quiet place in a different area. As soon as they arrive in January, they need to make a number of arrangements: find a mate and a nesting territory where they will have reliable food source and protection from predators. This takes time, and only after that will they lay eggs and raise their young so the new birds have enough time to be completely ready to handle the migration in September.

AmericanGoldfinchPairLNo wonder they always came back faithfully the first week of January – that’s a lot to get accomplished in just nine months.

Many small birds have a rather short incubation period. Incubation is the time when the female sits on the eggs until they open up and the chicks come out.

Let’s look at some common birds we see in our garden all the time.

Scrub jay: The incubation period is 17 to 18 days, and the time to fledge is 17 to 21 days. Fledging is when the baby birds are starting to be able to fly, even if they still have some more learning to do.

greathornedowlHouse finch: 13 to 14 days for incubation and 16 days’ time to fledge. These birds often have two broods a year, meaning they lay eggs twice and raise two families because each cycle is completed rather quickly.

Then you have larger birds like a Canadian goose: 25 to 28 days just for the incubation period. That is a long time to be dependent on your partner to bring you food. And then the babies require 6 to 7 weeks to become independent. With this amount of time, I’m sure you’ll agree it is necessary to have only one nest per year. Especially if you consider that Canadian geese migrate each winter.

The start of the nesting season differs for each species of bird for several different reasons, including migration, a place for nesting, availability of a partner, amount of food, length of incubation and fledge time, ambient temperature … and there might be even more I cannot think of right now.

hawksSome large birds such as owls and hawks start courting in December and will nest in January.

How can you help them? One way is to stay away, back off and not bother them when they are building a nest. I know it is not always easy. I had a nest in my mailbox one year and another too close to the back door, so we made the effort to use only our front door for that nesting time.

There are a few things you can do to transform your backyard into a nature retreat for many animals. Plant bushes – if possible, bushes with berries, so they can find both food and protection. Have a bird bath that is refilled on a regular basis. Bird feeders are a good idea. Right now, my bird feeders are covered by a carpet of goldfinches gorging on thistle seeds the whole day long. They are beautiful to watch, and it helps them survive through the winter.

Do not have your trees trimmed in the spring; the birds need peace and quiet while they are establishing their nesting territory. Dead trees or branches are good places to keep for cavity nesters.

robinIf you have a place that is muddy, robins love mud puddles. Do not do a thorough spring cleanup in your yard; they need some dead grass and twigs for their nests. Pet fur comes very handy if it is not treated with flea and tick chemicals. Leave this outside after you brush your dog or cat and when you have mopped all the hair from your floor. I could even tell you not to remove the spider webs outside of your house because many birds use this stretchy material for their nests, especially hummingbirds.

Speak with your gardener so he does not use his blower where nests are built around your house. You can even rope the area and add a sign as a reminder until the babies are gone.

One thing I found out: Do not leave your dryer lint outside. It might contain residue from chemicals (detergents or fabric softener) that could be harmful. We want to let nature take its course undisturbed as much as possible, but you can leave pieces of cloth cut into small strips (1 inch by 6 inches) and short pieces of yarn or string (4 to 6 inches long). I have seen nests made from all kinds of interesting objects found by birds, so you might as well leave objects that will be useful to them and safe.

You can also hang bird boxes, but that is a new topic all on its own. Check information for the different types on Google. Different birds need different bird boxes, so you must first find out what bird you have in your yard that you want to help.

So, here we are in January. The New Year has started, and I send you my best wishes for 2015. The nesting season has started, too, and I hope you will have a chance to observe the first few signs of this exciting time in the natural world that surrounds us.

 

Evelyne Vandersande has been a docent at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center for 28 years. She lives in Newhall.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com