Let us travel through time for just a little while to recall those sunny, late-spring days down on the farm—back when the rural landscape was a quiet, semi-secluded realm with little in the way of traffic, housing projects, or industrialized agriculture. Those among us who grew up on one of these family homesteads, or had friends who did, remember the joy of exploring the meadows, thickets, soggy springs, and woodlots they protected.
During much of the twentieth century, low-intensity agriculture provided a haven for wildlife. Periodic disturbances helped maintain cool-season grassland and early successional habitat for a number of species we currently find in decline.
For many of us, farmland was the first place we encountered and began to understand wildlife. Vast acreage provided an abundance of space to explore. And the discovery of each new creature provided an exciting experience.
Distributed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, artist Ned Smith’s wildlife posters introduced many residents of the lower Susquehanna region to its birds and mammals. This poster of “Birds of Field and Garden” helped us learn what to expect and search for during our forays to the farm.
Today, high-intensity agriculture, relentless mowing, urban sprawl, and the increasing costs and demand for land have all conspired to seriously deplete habitat quality and quantity for many of the species we used to see on the local farm. Unfortunately for them, farm wildlife has largely been the victim of modern economics.
For old time’s sake, we recently passed a nostalgic afternoon at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area examining what maintenance of traditional farm habitat has done and can do for breeding birds. Join us for a quick tour to remember how it used to be at the farm next door…
Always found nesting under the forebay of the barn, the Barn Swallow relentlessly pursued flying insects over the pond and meadow.Eastern Meadowlarks arrived during March and April to begin nesting in their namesake. Their song, “spring-of-the-year”, heralded the new season.Arriving in meadows and pastures during early May, the Eastern Kingbird provided for its nestlings by ambushing a variety of flying insects. By August, congregations of these birds could be found gathering along ponds and streams ahead of their fall migration.In the cherry grove down by the creek, the Orchard Oriole would be singing incessantly to defend its territory.Normally seed eaters through the colder months, American Goldfinches would regularly find a source of protein in the occupants of Eastern Tent Caterpillar nests.Along the wet margins of the creek, Yellow Warblers would nest in the shrubs and small trees.The “Traill’s Flycatcher” was a familiar find in low-lying areas of successional shrubs and small trees. Today, “Traill’s Flycatcher” is recognized as two distinct species, the Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) and the Willow Flycatcher. In the lower Susquehanna valley, the latter (seen here) is by far the most common of the two.During the nineteenth century, Eastern Bluebirds became a rarity on lower Susquehanna farms due to a combination of factors: pesticide (DDT) use, habitat loss, and competition with other birds for nest sites. The species saw a resurgence beginning in the 1970s with discontinuation of DDT applications and widespread provision of nesting boxes. Around human habitations, competition with invasive House Sparrows continues to be detrimental to their success.Purple Martins suffered a similar fate to the bluebirds. The potential for their recovery remains dubious and they continue to be very local breeders, fussy about selection of suitable man-made provisions for nesting. After considerable effort, Purple Martins have at last been attracted to nest in the condos placed for their use at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. In the artificial gourds, there are nesting Tree Swallows, a species which also benefits from the placement of boxes intended for bluebirds.Abandoned fields and other successional habitats were and continue to be favored homes for Field Sparrows.At almost any time of year, roving bands of Cedar Waxwings would suddenly visit old field habitat looking for berries among the shrubs and other pioneering woody growth. In early summer, after most species have already hatched their young, nesting would commence and these fruit eaters would transform into accomplished fly catchers.During the twentieth century prior to the 1980s, Ring-necked Pheasant populations in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed were comprised of breeding descendants of introduced birds supplemented by additional releases to maintain numbers sufficient for hunting. Year-round populations did and can reside in mosaic landscapes of early successional and grassland habitats, the latter including hay fields left unmowed through the nesting season.Red-winged Blackbirds have always been a fixture of hay fields and meadows on farms. While the increase in mowing frequency has reduced their nesting success, they have persevered as a species by nesting earlier than other birds and by utilizing other landscape features such as densely vegetated stormwater basins for breeding sites.Do you recall the last time you saw a Bobolink nesting in a hay field near you? Arriving in early May as a Neotropical migrant, the Bobolink requires a cool-season grassland such as hay field through at least July to complete its nesting cycle. Even earlier this century, we remember nesting Bobolinks being more widespread on farms throughout the region. Now, you almost have to go to Middle Creek if you want to see them.Formerly more widespread in hay fields throughout the lower Susquehanna valley, the native Grasshopper Sparrow is yet another species falling victim to early mowing and intensive farming.The solution to their dilemma is as advertised. Instead of cutting the grass, why not take heed of the example set here and cut back on the tens of thousands of acres that are excessively or needlessly mowed in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed? How ’bout letting a significant percentage of your property regenerate as successional habitat as well? It can and does make a difference!Beautiful cool-season grasses waving in the spring breeze. Meadows and hay fields can be managed to function as cool-season grasslands to provide nesting opportunities for many of the species we used to find down on the farm.
Weedy patches and successional growth are important feeding and shelter habitat for wintering birds including the Field Sparrow. So, forget about the mowing, whacking, and pesticide application from now on and you just may see this and other species of native animals near your place.
For those of you who dare to shed that filthy contaminated rag you’ve been told to breathe through so that you might instead get out and enjoy some clean air in a cherished place of solitude, here’s what’s around—go have a look.
Northern Flickers have arrived. Look for them anywhere there are mature trees. Despite the fact that flickers are woodpeckers, they often feed on the ground. You’ll notice the white rump and yellow wing linings when they fly away.The tiny Chipping Sparrow frequently nests in small trees in suburban gardens. Lay off the lawn treatments to assure their success.Field Sparrows (Spizella fusilla) are a breeding species in abandoned fields where successional growth is underway.White-throated Sparrows spend the winter in the lower Susquehanna valley. Their numbers are increasing now as waves of migrants pass through on their way north.Northbound flocks of Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) are currently found feeding in forest swamps along the Susquehanna. Their noisy calls sound like a chorus of squeaking hinges.Migratory Red-shouldered Hawks are also making feeding stops at area wetlands.The Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) is easily identified by its tail pumping behavior. Look for it in shrubs along the river shoreline or near lakes and streams. Palm Warblers are among the earliest of the warblers to move through in the spring.
The springtime show on the water continues…
Common Loons will continue migrating through the area during the upcoming month.Buffleheads are still transiting the watershed.Horned Grebes are occurring on the river and on local lakes.Seeing these one-year-old male Hooded Mergansers, the bachelors, wandering around without any adult males or females is a good sign. The adults should have moved on to the breeding grounds and local pairs should be well into a nesting cycle by now. Hatching could occur any day.Like Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks are cavity nesters, but their egg laying, incubation, and hatching often occurs a month or more later than that of the hoodies. Judging by the attentiveness of the drake, this pair of woodies is probably in the egg-laying stage of its breeding cycle right now.Redheads (Aythya americana) are stopping for a rest on their way north.In spring, Double-crested Cormorants proceed up the river in goose-like flocks with adult birds like these leading the way.
Hey, what are those showy flowers?
That’s Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna). It’s often called Fig Buttercup. In early April it blankets stream banks throughout the lower Susquehanna region. If you don’t remember seeing it growing like that when you were younger, there’s a reason. Lesser Celandine is an escape from cultivation that has become invasive. While the appearance is tolerable; it’s the palatability that ruins everything. It’s poisonous if eaten by people or livestock.The Eastern Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) is a dainty native wildflower of riparian forests and other woodlands throughout the lower Susquehanna valley.The Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) is beginning to bloom now. It’s a native of the region’s damp forests.Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is not native to the Susquehanna watershed, but neither is it considered invasive. It creates colorful patches in riparian forests.Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is a strikingly beautiful native wildflower that grows on undisturbed forested slopes throughout the Susquehanna valley.
