Today is Earth Day, which is a mighty general name for a significant topic – our Earth. Our suggestion for birders is to emphasize birds – such an important part of the Earth's life forces. Make today, or a more convenient day this week a "Bird Day!" Go birding beyond your yard with your binoculars, photograph birds at your feeding station, nest box, or perched among your landscaping. Plant or shop for a new berry bush, flowering tree, or some red blooming hummingbird plants. Read about a favorite bird – one that visits your yard or one that you wish would visit your yard – and learn more about its life history and similar species at All About Birds (Search Results | All About Birds) or Birds of the World (Birds of the World - Cornell Lab of Ornithology – you can sign up for a Free trial now).
Find an interesting community activity to enjoy with others. Join a conservation group, or read about one, such as the local Audubon chapter or state Audubon efforts. Visit a national wildlife refuge or national park, or plan out which one you will visit soon. Or on the other end of the spectrum, take a walk through a local park with your binoculars (and camera) and see what you can find. Use your binoculars to check out birds, along with flowers, butterflies and other insects, and maybe a tree frog or fern.
Use Earth Day to brighten your heart and mind, and enjoy birds as a central theme for whatever you decide to do during Earth Day, or "Earth Weekend," if that fits into your schedule better. Share this theme in an outing with family or friends, co-workers or enjoy some personal time with the birds and blooms around you. Happy Earth Day and Merry Earth Week!
Share your backyard birding experiences and photographs with The Birding Wire at editorstbw2@gmail.com