Hello Cayugabirders, Just before his inspiring presentation about native plants for birds on Monday evening at the Cayuga Bird Club, Joel Baines showed us something sad that should be a warning about the negative impact of non-native plants in our landscapes. A young American Goldfinch had died after being ensnared in the hooks of the evil burdock. I know from first-hand experience how difficult it is to remove these burs from one's hair, but it was especially disturbing to see what might happen to our birds. I've read about hummingbirds being caught in the burs too.
I photographed the bird and have put an image online at the URL below. Now I'm heading outside with my work gloves on to rip out the burdock in my yard and burn it. I'd suggest others do the same. It's not enough just to rip it up and compost itsmall creatures would still get trapped. Next year I plan to get rid of it before it grows too highthe root is VERY strong and runs deep. Marie (Caution! This is a distressing photograph) http://www.marieread.com/cpg/displayimage.php?album=194&pos=1 Marie Read Wildlife Photography 452 Ringwood Road Freeville NY 13068 USA Phone 607-539-6608 e-mail [email protected] http://www.marieread.com http://www.agpix.com/mari -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
