I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to share my love of nature for the past six years. Over those years I’ve had the chance to answer many questions, to share nature experiences, and to meet some other folks very excited about our precious outdoors and wildlife.
One of those excited about our gems all around us is Jeffrey Gilbert.
Jeff, from Washington Township, Lehigh County, contacted me to share his excitement about the discovery of bat pups on his garage siding.
Jeff and his wife, Mary Ann, have developed a very conducive nature habitat on their property of a few acres.
The Gilberts have planted a diverse sampling of conifers and deciduous trees, a wide variety of flowers, and added man-made wildlife structures to enhance their area.
Besides the coneflowers, sunflowers and hanging planters loaded with butterfly and hummingbird loving plants, they’ve planted persimmons, shrubs, willows and other trees that just invite nature’s creatures.
But, when you add bat, bluebird and screech owl nest boxes, hummingbird feeders and bird baths, you are ensuring that many different species will benefit.
So, build it, plant it — and all types of animals will follow.
Their two bat boxes are hosting a number of big brown bats. Some are females utilizing these boxes for safe places to rear their pups.
The Gilberts’ bat nursery was successful. I had a chance to photograph some of the pups, knowing that in the era of white-nose syndrome, it’s great to know a few bats are thriving.
Bats may not be as pretty as bluebirds, but remember: Encouraging them to roost in your yards will pay dividends. One bat in its overnight feeding may catch and eat over 3,000 insects.
Jeff, a few weeks later, sent an email after finding a hummingbird nest. I couldn’t miss the chance to see and photograph it.
Sure enough, that little bump on the branch was her nest. For the first week the miniature “hummers” were tucked into the tiny cup.
Just this week they were rising to the cup’s rim to await mom’s trip with supper. It’s no wonder they nest there, with its buffet of flowers all around them.
So, if you have a semi-rural lot (even if only an acre), try planning your landscaping, spare a few old trees with nest cavities and place nesting boxes at opportune spots — and “they will come.”
We can all do our little part in habitat improvement and enhancing the opportunities for diverse species, small and large, to keep nature in balance for our future.
Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: Big brown bats: A. normally give birth to two pups; B. are our largest local bats; C. both of these; D. neither of these.
Last Week’s Trivia Answer: A group of crows is called a murder.
Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com
Jeffrey Gilbert attached two bat boxes to the side of his garage. As expected, big brown bats found them to be great roosting sites and they served as a nursery for a number of pups. As a bonus, a robin chose this site for her first nest of the spring.
Don’t forget the importance of including water sources for both birds and insects. This very hot summer reminds us how important water is.
Bats, in an effort to reduce weight, have sacrificed strong leg muscles. Rather than perch on a branch like a bird, they hang head downward to rest. This recent newborn exposes some of its one wing, probably trying to cool its body on a very warm June day.
As an adult, the big brown bat is one of the most furred of the bats. Young pups have very little hair for the first week or two of their lives. BARRY REED/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
At least two owl nesting boxes grace the Gilberts’ property. Not hosting any owls currently, they are also used by bats, gray squirrels and flying squirrels. BARRY REED/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
ABOVE: This hummingbird chose a small black walnut branch, about 25 above the ground, to place her nest. Careful inspection with my binoculars revealed she wound spider webs around the base of the nest to help hold it in place. Plant fibers and more webs were used in the actual nest construction. She then shingled the outside with bits of lichens.
If considering planting trees for wildlife, persimmons are excellent food sources, especially since they ripen late in autumn and the drying fruit hangs on the tree well into our coldest months. Flowering ornamental crabapples are excellent as well.
For me, there is satisfaction knowing that the bluebird boxes you erect helped raise a brood or two each year. A bonus is when three of the “youngsters” return as if to say thank you.
LEFT: The female “hummer” feeds her two nestlings, who barely fit inside this tiny cup.
RIGHT: Two young robins wait for the parent birds to deliver food, about 15 feet from the Gilberts’ front porch. Four days before this column was printed, the young fledged. The robins were just one of the 29 bird species I either heard or saw in my three short trips to their property.
ABOVE: A Carolina wren made numerous trips to feed the young nesting in one of the hanging planters on the porch.
The Gilberts have planted many annuals and perennials to attract and feed many insects. While preparing to take this photo, I watched bumble bees, carpenter bees, honey bees and at least five species of butterflies taking advantage of these plants. Later, after the flowers die, most of them will feed finches, and if left standing, a number of our winter birds, too. Notice the fir trees in the background. Evergreens are important additions for the nesting and roosting opportunities they offer to birds, so try to include a few on your property. BARRY REED/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS