I chose to use my backyard as my study location as frequent observations were more possible. My yard is located in Kelowna, BC. I made my initial observations on September 7th from between 11am-12pm. The weather was sunny, clear skies and the outside temperature was approx 18*C. The study area is located in the Magic Estates area of Kelowna on a west facing slope with a steep slope angle and poor soils in the Ponderosa Pine biogeoclimatic zone. The study area I have chosen is a single bird-feeder sitting above the wall, with shrubs around providing ample cover for birds.
The feeder sits on top of an Allen block wall, with a well draining rocky substrate behind the wall. The top of the soil profile (approx 6 inches) is a mix of in situ soil and growers mix (peat, perlite, vermiculite). There are a number of species present including: ostrich fern, thyme, orpine, saskatoon berry, oregon grape sumac, an unknown grass species and reflexed stonecrop. Of these species, the thyme, fern, reflexed stonecrop and sumac were intentionally planted. The other species were either native (saskatoon bush, oregon grape, grass) or invasive (orpine). The area received dapple sunlight/shade during the observation period. This site receives irrigation every two days at approx 5am for 20min as well as downslope drainage of irrigation water.
When there is food present in the bird feeder, I have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of birds visiting as well as a marked increase in the number of bird species that come to our yard. There is ample food both naturally occurring in the berry bushes, and anthropogenically occurring in the bird feeder
Some questions I have been thinking about are:
- How quickly do birds discover a new food source? Does the type of food matter?
- Does the amount of canopy cover influence the diversity of species or does it play a negligible role?
- With increased numbers of bird individuals and species present, is there an increased risk of disease transmission (avian flu, tick borne diseases, insect borne diseases)?
- After spotting a few rats, Is there an increased risk of zoonotic disease transmission between species, as well as animal to human disease transmission or risk?
Backyards can make good study areas though you have to think about the limitation of space. Often insects or plants make good study organisms in a backyard.
Why did you not post this blog until June 4th if you did your initial observations in September??? Nancy / I would have redirected you away from bird feeders immediately. I’m sure you could think of some other questions in your backyard.