Make your yard a sanctuary for migrating birds with help from the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative.
The Wisconsin Stopover Initiative gives tips to help you protect migratory birds. Photo: Wigwam Jones (Flickr)
The initiative, a partnership of government agencies, private organizations, businesses and bird lovers, helps identify and protect the places migratory birds visit as they travel north and south. These in between habitats are called stopover sites.
Protecting stopover sites at home is easy with these tips listed by the initiative.
- Remove invasive plants (the ones not native to your area) and preserve native trees and shrubs on your property.
- Build a brush pile for migratory birds to find shelter and places to forage.
- Keep your pet cat indoors or confined to an enclosure when outdoors to help prevent the estimated hundreds of millions of birds killed by cats in the U.S. each year.
- Limit or avoid pesticide use on your property. Remember, birds act as natural pesticides.
Another well-written piece by Carol. I particularly appreciate the suggestions of considering proper habitat for migratory birds.
This morning a group of Canada Geese flew directly over my head; it was beautiful. Several of them used to do a stopover in our swimming pool, but they haven’t visited in several years. Do I want to encourage them or just let them find new stomping ground? I enjoyed your article and am interested in the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative.