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Songbirds Rest & Refuel in Urban Trees
Patches of urban trees help migratory songbirds in their journey.
Wood Thrush in a Maple tree  |
The trees in our yards and along our streets are home to many birds, insects, and animals, but they are are also vital resting / refueling sites for migratory birds.
Every spring and fall, dozens of forest songbirds make the journey north or south to forage or find nesting habitat. Along the way these birds find rest and food in our urban trees to complete their journey.
Ecologists Paul Rhodewald and Stephen Matthews have demonstrated how vital these refueling sites are for migratory birds in their recent Landscape Ecologist article on "Movement
behavior of a forest songbird in an urbanized landscape: the relative
importance of patch-level effects and body condition during migratory
stopover." This is the result of a four-year study of 100 Swainson Thrush birds as they migrated over seven small urban forests.
A recent BBC arcticle describes how the scientists attached micro-tags to track where the birds went along their migration. The scientists were able to demonstrate the
importance of urban tree cover by showing the specific areas where birds stopped to find food. "We started to
see the importance of these smaller forest patches," claimed Dr. Matthews, "the birds
ability to search around was limited by the size of these forests."
Their study, commissioned by Ohio State University, focused on seven urban forests, of which the smallest in size was less than one hectare. Dr. Matthews noticed that "the birds were able to utilize these small forest patches during their
stopover."
These findings show, according to Dr. Matthews, the "conservation importance of urban habitats for
stopover migrants." Professor Rodewald offered that these findings "suggest that remnant forests within urban areas have conservation value for
migrant land birds. Obviously,
larger forest patches are better, but even smaller ones are worth saving."
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Can you do the Yoga " Tree Pose " ?
This September, attend classes at Be-Yoga to support Canopy!
Yoga Tree Pose. Source: Wikicommons  |
Be-Yoga was the 2010 winner of The Almanac Readers' Choice Award, and has won press in national Yoga journals.
Lisa Haley, Founder and Director of Be-Yoga, finds that the Tree
Pose is the active demonstration of becoming balanced and connected to
your surroundings, just like a tree. The Tree Pose, or Vrksasana
(vrik-SHAHS-anna; vrksa = tree), is a metaphor for how we can grow strong roots, enabling us to branch out, give fruits, and thrive in our community.
Be-Yoga has a variety of classes for every level of Yoga student (even Kids!). Be-Yoga is located at 1923 Menalto Ave in Menlo Park. For more information you can call 650-906-9016, email beyogamenlopark@gmail.com, or visit their website at www.be-yoga.com.
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Canopy welcomes a new family member!
Michael and Jenessa Hawkins celebrate a baby girl, Ramona!
Canopy's Program Director Michael Hawkins and wife Jenessa, are pleased to celebrate the birth of a baby girl, Ramona!
Ramona Faye Hawkins was born on 9-02-10 at 5:49 pm. She weighed seven pounds and four ounces. Ramona is healthy and doing very well, and already has a small wardrobe of Canopy attire.
Keep an eye out for Ramona at upcoming Tree Walks and other tree activities.
This photo of Ramona was taken just a few hours after she was born.
Join us in welcoming Ramona as the newest member of our community!
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Next Tree Walk: Sept 11 Guided by Arborist Kevin Raftery
Come out this Saturday for a Tree Walk, and treat yourself to some fresh air and a new perspective. College Terrace was the first Canopy Tree Walk, created by Susan Rosenberg. This Tree Walk is newly redesigned, and is the next Tree Walk on our calendar:
Date: Saturday, September 11
Time: 10am to Noon
Location: Meet at the corner of College Avenue and Oberlin Street, College Terrace (Map)
Click here to sign-up.
Visit the College Terrace Tree Walk for more details or call 650-964-6110 x2.
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Mark Your Calendar
OTHER CANOPY TREE WALKS
Save the date for our upcoming arborist-led Tree Walks, monthly on the second Saturday from 10 AM-12 PM. Rain or shine. Free.
October 9: Southgate
November 13: Barron Park
December 11: South of Forest
Reservations welcomed for Tree Walks. Click here to sign-up. Check out our map and index of Tree Walks.
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Local Garden Swap
Neighbors Swapping Food / Flowers / Herbs from their gardens!
When: Saturday Sept. 11, noon
Where: Palo Alto Community Garden, behind Main Library, 1213 Newell Road
Neighbors are coming together for swapping and sharing locally grown,
fresh produce. No money is involved.
Bring your homegrown fruit, veggies, herbs, honey, and flowers to trade! Trade what you have, for what you want! Think of it as a "free" backyard farmers' market.
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