New Hope

Audubon Society

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Items of special interest

CALENDAR OF EVENTS web page to keep informed about upcoming events including bird outings.

BIRD FRIENDLY HABITAT web page for links to recommended native plants, native plant retailers and landscapers, and to have your property certified.

LEAVE YOUR LEAVES web page with information on this campaign and why it is so important.

FIELD NOTES BLOG to be sure to keep up with the latest posts.

BIRD COUNT CHARTS web page to explore our historical data going back to 1977 for both our Spring and Christmas Bird Counts.

VOLUNTEER web page for ways you can help and fill out our updated Volunteer Form to tell us about your interests.

MEETING RECORDINGS web page for recordings of past membership meetings via Zoom.

Announcements

The New Hope Audubon Society and the Durham County Open Space Program are pleased to announce a joint bird outing to be held at the New Hope Creek Bottomlands Trail. We will meet at Old Chapel Hill Road Park (3791 Southwest Durham Drive) at 8:30 a.m. and spend a few hours exploring the bottomlands forest, discussing the history of local conservation, and looking and listening for the birds that call this unique ecosystem home.

To get to the park, turn off Southwest Durham Dr. into the Githens Middle School bus entrance (marked with a large blue sign). Keep left down the road into the park. We will meet at the very end of the parking lot, next to the restrooms and soccer field.

Spring Migration Season is Here!

Check out the top 5 tips to help migrating birds and those nesting in your yard:

• Lights Out For Birds! During migration*, birds navigate by the night sky. House and building lights confuse them and may lead them off course, potentially to their deaths. Make their journeys safer by turning off bright outdoor lights and unnecessary indoor lights when it gets dark. Downward pointing dim motion lights are ok.
• Clean Feeders & Bird baths: Feeders, suet cages and bird baths should be cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of disease. This should be done year round, but especially during peak migration season. A solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water can be used. This should be done every 2-3 weeks during peak usage. Helpful tip: If you see a bird with eyes that look crusty or closed shut, take down the feeders and bird baths for 10-14 days and clean them thoroughly. Suet cages can be left up.
• Ready Nest Boxes: Some birds are already checking out nesting spots or have nests built. Make sure your nest boxes are clean for the new brood. Check the condition of the box and make sure the opening is not compromised. You can also check the area around the box to make sure bushes aren’t too close to allow invaders to attack the nestlings. Helpful tip: If a nestling falls out of the nest too early, please do not try to intervene. The parents will continue to care for it.
• Plant Natives: Spring plant sales are starting up, and now is an ideal time to remove invasive plants and bushes and plant native plants in your garden. Look for plants that attract pollinators and provide seasonal wildlife appeal. Berry producing shrubs will also provide food for birds and mammals when the days start to get cooler and insects are harder to find.
• Leave your Leaves: Leaves will continue to be an important element for birds during spring as they root around for newly emerging insects. Leaves will also continue to provide cover for wildlife and free mulch for your garden as the days get warmer. Helpful tip: Many native bees, fireflies and butterflies make their homes in the leaves.*Spring migration: March 15-May 31
  Fall migration: Aug. 15 – Oct. 31