93. Alabama Birds - Discovering Alabama

​“Alabama Birds” is about more than birds. As impressive as Alabama’s great bird diversity is, so too the natural habitats of Alabama are exceptionally diverse. This special combination has inspired a legacy of Alabamians advocating for bird and habitat conservation. It has also contributed to growing public enthusiasm for recreational birdwatching in the state, fostering the establishment of the Alabama Birding Trail system and a host of annual “birdfest” events enjoyed by many. Alabama Birds covers all of these aspects and includes guest commentary from a number of experts who discuss the wonder of birds.
For more on Discovering Alabama, visit:
• Discovering Alabama's Website: bit.ly/3FZ0Oht
• Support Discovering Alabama: bit.ly/3F433P3
• The Alabama Museum of Natural History's Website: bit.ly/3un9MPh
• The University of Alabama Museums' Website: bit.ly/3B4lqCw
• Alabama Public Television: aptv.org/
#DiscoveringAlabama #Alabama #Birds #Birding #RollTide #UniversityOfAlabama #UAMuseums

[@andreyarborough]

İve watched this about 15 times. Whenever i miss home i just listen to it. Thanks again

[@MetallicAAlabamA]

I live within a quarter mile from the lower side of Wilson Dam. Getting to watch the Whooping Cranes, and Pelicans fly above, along with the many 🦉and woodpecker species. Living in Alabama is just amazing!

[@bamamama-ws7kp]

Thanks for the upload ❤️

[@PaintedTurtle001]

Great documentary! I grew up in Tuscaloosa. Started birding my backyard as a teen. Still doing it in my mid 50s. 🙂

[@kennethmcdonald2987]

Great video .I highly encourage anyone concerned with preserving wildlife species to have their own certified backyard wildlife habitat ,use native trees and shrubs in their landscaping and be organic if possible .My girlfriend has done this on our rural land along the Choctawhatchee River in S Alabama .In just a few years she has went from an absolute mess of non native plants and few birds to over 100 species nesting and residing here in just bird species from hummingbirds to Bald Eagles .All dead or storm damaged trees are left standing in the hardwood forests ,prescribed burns are done in the pine forests for Gopher Tortoise and other creatures who benefit from these wonderful creatures burrows especially snakes .She is up to 23 and counting resident snakes breeding here including all 6 venomous species .It is quite possible to live among apex predators and venomous snakes safely and have numerous bird species thrive and multiply .We have no lawn but do have grasslands ,pollinator and vegetable gardens ,orchards and creeks here so have many different types of habitat along with the river and forests .There is very little insect or disease issues with any plants here due to beneficial insects ,native birds and other natural predators and we very seldom see any mosquitoes .Imagine that along a river with other water sources and swamps .We do have tons of amphibians ,bat colonies ,Purple Martins ,and a bluebird trail .It does not have to be a large area to do this in either .A broken overturned clay pot stuck under a bush provides a great place for toads and frogs to hide out in .She lets most of the land here go wild with no interference .Native plants very seldom need any help like spraying ,extra water and a little homemade compost takes care of fertilizing for them .These native plants are what brings in the wildlife .If you are wanting birds on your property just adding a small well maintained bird bath and a couple of feeders brings them in droves .She leaves up feeders year round .Use a quality cardinal mix ,suet ,chicken scratch grain and some live mealworms then sit back and watch the show .The mealworms really help bluebirds and other insect eaters in the stressful breeding season .The worms are extremely easy to raise instead of buying the expensive dried ones .The cardinal mix brings lots of volunteer sunflowers which birds ,butterflies and other species take advantage of .The scratch grains help with wild turkeys and deer here .The orchards provide fruit in the winter for birds also .Nothing goes to waste here and the work involved after being established is minimal .The grassy areas away from the house are interplanted with native wildflowers and only have to be cut once a year in early spring .The wildflower meadows are always changing and left standing in winter for the songbirds .I can tell you not having to cut grass here in the heat of summer is really nice .The local extension office can provide you information with a simple soil test as to what native plants will thrive in your area .Her pride and joy in her habitats here is the breeding Indigo snakes who reside here .Even in the largest cities and on the smallest properties it can be a refuge for wildlife especially birds .These are some of the things she has found to work over many decades in helping our native wildlife .

[@pearlandamy1]

Thank you for sharing about how to go native. How did the two of you know how to start? Where does one get a certified?
Do you recommend a book or a website?

[@walterquick8649]

❤ awesome

[@nathanwebb4836]

I currently live in Enterprise, Alabama, and I've seen a red-cockaded woodpecker. I even saw an ivorybill at Johnny Henderson Park in 2018.

[@andreyarborough]

Thanks for posting

[@williammosley8026]

Hello from Tuskegee ❤

[@Alan-in-Bama]

Great episode !

[@jaysizzlegman7621]

Awesome!

[@Pam4]

Outstanding and inspirational!

[@TheDukestriker]

Very nice!

[@DorisHarris-p6h]

Trying to locate painted bunting to photograph

[@donaldrussell4218]

They are not a lot of bobwhite quail left in Alabama.

[@crawwwfishh3284]

Love me some bama. But growth is destroying it.

[@BelindaWoodson-uc5is]

#🧄 wild🧄

[@White-Michael935]

Great episode!