Do you have a favorite bird? While birds are beginning their fall migrations, it’s a great time to delve into ecosystem science. This summer my favorite bird found its way back into our neighborhood. The pileated woodpecker had been missing for the last several years, but one morning I heard his distinctive squawk as he flew through the trees. Then came the hard drumming, pause, and drum again. I was elated to have this carpenter of the woods back in my neighborhood.

Yes, the pileated woodpecker is the carpenter of the woods. He and his other woodpecker cousins help create 90% of the cavities other birds and small mammals depend on for their shelter.  God created him with the purpose of building the homes for the forest ecosystem. Woodpeckers are the only animals created with the ability to drum out these necessary cavities. The many birds that use the birdhouses we hang around our homes cannot make their own nesting cavities. Squirrels, screech owls, and other animals also depend on woodpecker holes for their homes. Thirty-eight species are dependent on woodpeckers for survival.

If any one piece of the ecosystem’s diversity is lost, the whole system begins to fall apart. I thought our woodpeckers were gone forever when our housing development began to grow. But a small wetland nearby and stands of fruit, pines, and hardwoods dividing our properties had left a refuge for these large beautiful, and important birds. God created all things to work together for our good.  When we read in Genesis 1 we see the Lord has also given us the responsibility of having dominion or the task of taking care of His creation.

Here are a few things you might enjoy doing as part of a project to take care of your neighborhood ecosystem.

• Plant trees — fall is a great time to plant trees because it allows the roots to get established before they need to help produce leaves in the summer heat.
• Leave a small area of underbrush in the corner of your yard — this provides cover for birds and small animals.
• Hang suet feeders — woodpeckers and lots of other birds find suet a great source of energy in cold weather.
• Decorate a winter tree — make strings of unsalted popcorn and cranberries. Tie on orange and apple slices.
• Build a snowman — use edible pieces like carrots, nuts, fruits, etc. as the eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons. A hat can also be scrunched to form a bird seed holder.

I hope you spend a little time this fall discovering the delicate balance of creation and our role in maintaining it. Like Adam and Eve, you may find these nature adventures a great way to spend some quiet walks with God. I’m wondering what other discoveries we can share about the ecosystems in our neighborhoods. Now if only the whippoorwills will return.

Blessings, Gail Cartee