The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The simple things you do every day, from the cup of coffee you drink in the morning to the lights you turn on at night, all have an impact on birds. As we human beings expand our presence on Earth, our lives intersect more and more with the wildlife around us. Our everyday activities increasingly erode their habitats, deplete their food supplies and create new dangers for them to face. If we want to protect the birds around us and preserve their future, we need to begin to conduct our lives with a consciousness of how our actions affect the world around us; not only the people, but also the wildlife, the air, the water, and the land. The following are some steps that anyone can take to live cleaner, greener and more bird friendly.

Plan your yard for diversity. Instead of a "green desert" of lawn of no benefit to wildlife, plant a mixture of native grasses, flowers, and shrubs. Use native species- birds like these best and they are best adapted to where you live. Your state or local Extension Service can help you choose species that will work best for you. When your wildlife garden is complete, you can have your yard certified by the National Wildlife Federation. You can also encourage your children to have their schoolyard certified! Visit http://www.nwf.org.

Provide birds with fresh food and clean water. Clean your feeders regularly to prevent mold and disease. Scrub them with a solution of ¼ cup bleach to two gallons of water, and rinse well. Birds love water, and a birdbath can often attract species that wouldn't visit your feeder. Again, cleanliness is key; change the water every other day to keep it fresh and prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Prevent window strikes. Hundreds of millions of birds die each year as a result of hitting windows on every type of building. To reduce night lighting that interferes with migration, ask your office or apartment building manager to turn off exterior and interior lights during the spring and fall migration. Place bird feeders within three feet of your windows.

Move indoor plants far away from windows. Break up the reflections of habitat in your windows by covering the outside of them with taut screens, window film, or decals.

Take action for birds in ABC's website. As well as being the best place to learn all about bird conservation, ABC's Website is also the place to go to get directly involved in helping conserve wild birds. ABC action campaigns enable you to play a role in getting key bills passed in Congress, ensuring that the most harmful pesticides to birds and other wildlife are banned and a host of other top issues.

Reduce your carbon Footprint. Do your part to help reduce our reliance of fossil fuels that cause global warming. Use an electric lawnmower; carpool, bicycle, or use public transportation when possible; turn off lights when not in use; use low energy bulbs and Energy Star rated appliances; call your power company and ask if you can buy your energy from renewable sources.

Reduce your use of pesticides. Not only can they be toxic to birds, but also they kill the insects that birds eat. Weed instead of spraying! If you must use pesticides, look for biopesticides alternatives. Prevent pests from entering from your home by replacing worn weather stripping and screens and filling in gaps in floors and around windows and plumbing fixtures.

Keep your cat indoors. Even well fed cats kill birds. Keep them inside, and not only will the birds be safer, your cat will be healthier and safer, too.

Have you kept your bird feeders filled? The birds have been very busy around here. Some of them seem to be scouting for a nesting site. The birds seem to enjoy the evergreens, which provide protection from the wind. You may want to plant an evergreen by your window so you can watch the birds.