top of page
All Blog Posts


ljmarkson
Jan 55 min read
Are We Seeing More Birds with Leucism?
Last year I saw a red-winged blackbird with leucism. A month after that I saw a common grackle that might have leucism. Last month, I saw...


ljmarkson
Jan 7, 20243 min read
Restore Habitat to Hear the Sweet Song of the Hermit Thrush
Every habitat element in my pocket wildlife sanctuary contributes to a more biodiverse ecosystem. Hermit thrushes for example rarely...


ljmarkson
Sep 23, 20234 min read
The Future Needs More Violets and Fewer Lawns
I stopped to chat with an elderly neighbor who had just finished weeding her hosta beds. She showed me healthy violet patches growing in...


ljmarkson
Sep 11, 20233 min read
A Day Focused on Restoring Biodiversity in our Own Greenspaces
At the recent Georgia Audubon’s cleverly named Georgia Grows Native for Birds Round Robin: Transforming Your Greenspace, they partnered...


ljmarkson
Apr 25, 20233 min read
Local Earth Day Activism Needs to be Every Day
The magical Earth Day event at Zonolite Park organized by hosts Steph Johnson and Josh Wayne raised awareness about protecting the...


ljmarkson
Mar 18, 20232 min read
Our Actions Have Amplified Cowbird's Impact
At the end of February, the when the red-winged blackbirds migrate North, their raucous noise is replaced by the gurgling murmur of a...


ljmarkson
Jun 10, 20225 min read
How to Attract Bluebirds of Happiness to Your Yard
This year I’ve been documenting the joyful journey of a darling Eastern bluebird duo and their precious offspring finally choosing a...


ljmarkson
Mar 6, 20225 min read
Just Say No to Spring Backyard Habitat Destruction
There were no happy birds in my yard on a warm spring day last week. On Friday I watched them flitting around my neighbor’s yard...


ljmarkson
Feb 5, 20224 min read
Gardening Advice Turns a Corner
Out of curiosity I visited a popular gardening guru’s FB page. Winter lawns, various Roundup products and a flowering (invasive) mahonia...


ljmarkson
Jan 9, 20225 min read
Red-Winged Blackbirds are Special
Years ago, when I had a lawn with a sad, lonely bird feeder in the middle of it, I would senselessly chase away flocks of Red-winged...


ljmarkson
Dec 5, 20203 min read
Pet Cats Do Not Belong in a Wildlife Habitat!
I love cats. The main reason I keep my two rescue cats indoors is because I want them to live an average of 15 long happy years with me....
bottom of page