About a week after we had a huge flock of birds murmurating around Seaford, I also witnessed beautiful and rare wildlife sightings that probably went unnoticed. Many of us now have the opportunity to get outside and observe the nature around us, as many activities have been shut down.
So in a matter of a couple hours, I observed a large owl sunning itself in the top of a tree on Market Street, a bufflehead duck paddling around in the lightly frozen manmade pond near Walmart, a pair of merganser diving ducks in our river and then two pair of eagles swooping just overhead. Remarkable!
On this beautiful morning, I also witnessed massive clearcutting. Is it really necessary to wipe out all habitat for new construction? Seems to me our city, county and state leaders can hold out for better plans from developers that actually work around natural habitats. Developers have plans of differing qualities but, of course, present the cheapest first in hopes that it will get accepted. If we hold out for more inspiring and quality plans, we will get them. December’s massive songbird die-off of thousands of birds actually dropping out of the sky in the Southwest (80% of deaths were said to be due to malnutrition) is proof positive that we need to protect what we still have and include native trees/shrubs in our construction and development plans. We can have the best of both worlds.
Manmade features are not the same as natural features, especially for nutrition and habitat for our feathered friends and related ecosystems. Recent research from the University of Delaware’s noted entomologist Doug Tallamy proves the value of native trees, such as oak, cherry, willow, pine and poplar, for supporting butterfly and moth species. Naturally occurring local trees are the best source for the preferred and necessary nutritious caterpillars for songbirds – Mother Nature provides them free if we stop cutting the trees down. Backyard feeders and suet cakes are fine, but birds have to have insects to survive and reproduce. Tallamy’s book, “Bringing Nature Home,” is an easy-to-read, phenomenal resource for everyday citizens to understand the value and how-to for healthy yards. It is also available in our library.
For those with standing water in your yards, consider planting a group of native trees. A single mature tree can absorb 40,000 gallons of water a year, save heating/cooling expenses, give a couple enough oxygen for a year and absorb carbon dioxide produced from 26,000 miles of driving. Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Watershed Stewardship has this and more information about the importance of trees to the quality of our water, environment and us on its website dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/water.
Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry Program offers matching grants (volunteer hours can make up much of this grant) up to $5,000. I applied for and received this grant for my community church for 36 large trees to make a wedding glade. The deadline is March 5. Visit Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Legacy Program at agriculture.delaware.gov/forest for information.
The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance frequently has grants for tree planting. Visit NanticokeRiver.org to find a wealth of information on ways to manage and enhance your property and tax ditches.
Other local resources include the Center for Inland Bays and Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford. I am one of the habitat stewards there who offer free help to homeowners/associations on the topic of “Gardening for Wildlife and Clean Water.” Contact Alice at (302) 422-0847. Check it out!
Nan Zamorski lives in Seaford.
