BOOTHBAY REGISTER • September 22, 2021
Forests are incredibly important for birds. Common species like chickadees, nuthatches, and woodpeckers that visit our backyard bird feeders, even those surrounded by lawns and gardens, will not occur without forest nearby. And we know that there is a long list of species of birds that we can only see in the forest — everything from barred owls to ruffed grouse to black-and-white warblers to scarlet tanagers and dozens more. One ecological study found that there were about twice as many bird species nesting in an eastern deciduous forest as compared to a nearby salt marsh. To ensure that forests continue to be places that host millions of birds to raise their young, we need to ensure that we protect the largest blocks of remaining forest in our area. ~ Jeffrey V. Wells, and Allison Childs Wells