The Daily Bleat - August Issue

Do Birds Have Accents? - Regional Bird Songs

Everyone knows that even when humans speak the same language we can pronounce words differently. For example English is spoken much differently in England compared to Australia, compared to the United States. And even within the United States there are various dialects like in the South and in New York. But do birds also have slight variations? Scientists have recently found that the same species of bird can have slightly changed ways of pronouncing their bird songs depending on where they live in the region.

Commonly noticed in songbirds these interesting dialects have been found to be products of their geographic range. When things like mountains or rivers separate bird bird populations variations can occur. If a parent sings their song with even the smallest difference their chicks will pick it up exactly. Over generations and many years of small changes it can lead to very unique out comes. These changes can tell scientists when or where the populations experienced a shift in their habitat or when they stopped interacting directly.

One example of these varying birdsong accents is with the White Crowned Sparrows. Their song was so different that bird watching thought the calls were two different species, but on further investigation it was discovered that they were the same. In Maryland the White Crowned Sparrow has a loud almost siren-sounding call. It has highs and lows in it that are very noticeable to hear. However populations of the same bird in California have a softer version for the song. These two groups show how birds can develop their own dialects.

Observations have concluded that non-songbirds don’t tend to have differences. This is due to their calls being instinctual. An eagles cry wouldn’t be changed because they know how its supposed to sound in their bird instincts. But as for songbirds they sing based on vocal learning from their parents. That’s how the change occurs, through small and noticeable variations made by a chicks parent. Or vice versa, if a chick mis-hears their parent they might start the change themselves. Soon the variation becomes more noticeable over many generations.

Through vocal learning and small variations birds start to make their songs their own. They reflect themselves and make their mark in the bird world they best way they can. We can observe the changes which fascination and use them to learn more about how birds create their own stories. On small alteration from a chick or parent can make the song different forever. We shouldn’t underestimate their art, not even the most common birds outside your window each morning. For all you know that sparrow could be making history as we know it.

By Clover Mahon

Mothering Monarchs - Saving Butterfly Populations

Did you know that you can help save the monarch population today? Although monarch populations are in a deep decline there’s an organization called Rose Franklin's Perennial & Butterfly Farm and they help people raise and release butterflies from the comfort of their own home. Monarch butterfly populations have experienced significant declines in recent decades.Western monarch populations have decreased by over 90% since the 1980s, while eastern populations have seen declines of over 80%. That means that if we don’t help them now then we could lose one of our greatest pollinators.

Monarch butterflies pollinate by feeding on the nectar from different types of wildflowers with brightly colored petals. If monarch butterflies are not around many wildflower species will decrease. For example the flower species sawtooth sunflower and Maximilian sunflower are two species pollinated by monarch butterflies. Sunflowers are important crops for seeds and are used in cooking or pressed for oil. Without butterfly pollination crops could decline. We will lose other species who feed on the butterflies or feed on the food that the butterflies pollinate. Customer Bradford Mahon stated “We need to protect this species because it is crucial for the environment.”.

The butterflies' winter habitat in Mexico and California is rapidly shrinking due to deforestation, harsh weather, development and other disruptions. Because all monarchs gather in only a few locations, the overall population is at risk. Rose Franklin's Perennial & Butterfly Farm was established in 1992 because Rose had accidentally killed hundreds of monarch caterpillars while farming. She wanted to make it up to the Monarch butterflies so she vowed to raise and release as many Monarchs as she could. So from then on she started helping other people to make sure this species stays alive.

To raise Monarch Butterflies you first have to fill out an order form. Then Rose Franklin's staff will send you the caterpillars with the milk weed. They only send the caterpillars when it’s safe for them to be transported.Monarchs are not hard to raise. Make sure to prep your house with a small empty aquarium  or a fine mesh cage with milkweed leaves. WARNING make sure to wash your hands after dealing with milkweed because it’s toxic to humans. Once then butterflies are safely in their habitat, sit back and watch the magic happen. In just 4 weeks they will grow up through the life stages and become a beautiful butterfly and no matter who you are you will always be fascinated by the Monarch’s growth.

By Wisteria

Crossword

Science Corner - How Do Trees Hide Their Age?

You probably think that retinol will help make anyone look young, but actually there’s something that doesn’t show their age at all...trees! Trees hide their age internally. Trees have rings inside of them that show how old they are. One ring inside of a tree stands for one year of life. Trees are good for the environment because trees take carbon and store it which makes the carbon in the air lower and helps cool the earth.

If you want to know how old a tree is without cutting it down, you measure the bottom of the tree's circumference. When a tree is cut down it is disposed of when people use a chipper and make the tree into mulch used in gardens. Trees are reused as firewood and mulch. To cut down a tree in the front yard you would have a bucket truck. They take the tree down by rigging. There is a group called “the ground crew” and they take the branches. Sometimes dying trees do need to be cut down because they are hazards but we have great ways for them to be recycled and give new life to other plants in mulch.

Trees are very important for humans and animals. They provide places for animals to live and find food. For humans they provide good air quality. We should do what we can to protect trees and plant more because they do amazing things. If you have time after reading this article definitely check out the movie The Lorax or read the book by Dr. Seuss because it spreads great messages about not taking wildlife and trees away just to have more factories to manufacture things. Deforestation is also a problem in lots of places. Trees can only do so much to get rid of bad air using photosynthesis We have to do our part as well. Trees and wildlife were here a long time before humans and we need to be good long term guests and help them by stopping the things we do that are not beneficial.

While it is interesting to look at the rings inside trees it isn’t good to cut them down for no reason. Trees are important and we need to spend more time caring for them. Learning about trees and the environment around you can impact people when you share your knowledge. Measuring the circumference of trees will help you calculate their age without having to unnecessarily kill the tree.

By Lucky Warfe

Seasonal Update

By Clover Mahon

Spotlight - Who Cooks For You Farm

Many of the farms we spotlight are located in the Upstate New York area, but this one is in Armstrong County,PA. Who Cooks for You farm is focused on delivering a variety of fresh produce to their customers. They have many different types of vegetables, fruits and herbs. Including but not exclusive to shallots, tomatoes, potatoes, thyme, mint, lettuce, basil and carrots. These foods are perfect for a fresh home cooked meal during the summer time. WCFU Farm strives to ensure everyone in the community can have fresh foods from them.

Located at 383 Mill Seat Run Road New Bethlehem, PA 16242, they’re a first generation family farm. They have many methods they use to keep their foods and produce new and ready for people. Instead of using pesticides they create spaces for beneficial pollinators and bugs to be in their crops. Ladybugs eat unwanted pests, ridding the need for harmful chemicals. The farm also composts to keep the plants full of nutrients.

They go to the farmers market weekly with their produce. Saturdays are in Bloomfield in and on Sundays they’re in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, both are located in the city of Pittsburgh PA. The farmers market on July 26^th had many different booths but it was clear WCFU farm’s booth was very popular. Despite the lengthy line for the produce they ensured that it went quickly, providing excellent customer service. Even in the heat of the summer day they kept at the booth, organizing and giving advice to indecisive customers. Overall their service at the farmers market was nothing less than wonderful.

Who Cooks for You farm is a great place to support, wether its online or at the farmers market. Supporting small business is a vital way to help your community, but it's clear that farms like this are worth buying from. The quality of the rich and sustainably grown food is exceeding better than your average supermarket. This summer be sure to go to Who Cooks for You farm, it will be something you wish you did sooner.

By Clover Mahon

Credits

Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Information

Bradford Mahon - Interview

Jessica Canton - Photos

K&C - Interview

Who Cooks for You Farm