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The National Audubon Society, National Geographic, Bird Life International, and The Cornell Lab of Ornithology have declared 2018 the Year of the Bird to celebrate and raise awareness concerning current issues facing our avian friends. Join us in celebrating!

Avoid using pesticides or insecticides.
Plant native trees, bushes, and flowers in your yard. Bushes that provide berries and flower seed heads are important food sources in winter. Be a “messy” gardener and leave the seeds for the birds.
Do not throw garbage on the roadsides. Your apple core may decompose but before it does it attracts small wildlife which, in turn, attracts raptors. Many mammals and raptors are hit by cars!

Do not use lead bullets for hunting. Bury gut piles – even the smallest amount of lead will poison a scavenging eagle.
Do not use lead fishing tackle. Dabbling ducks ingest it, become ill, and are easy prey for eagles.

Protect wild areas.
Participate in clean-ups.
Support and encourage legislation that protects birds and wildlife habitats.
Clean up after yourself – items such as trash, fishing line, and hazardous chemicals like antifreeze all pose a threat to birds and other wildlife.
Put up nest boxes in appropriate places. Box plans and tips can be found at birdwatching-bliss.com and nestwatch.org.

Improperly discarded fish line. Put it in the trash, not on the ground.
Windows. Keep feeders away from windows. Put stickers on glass so birds can see it.
Sport Netting. Remove Netting when the season ends to prevent bird entanglement.
Helium balloons. Birds become entangled in attached strings. The balloons deflate and become litter. Many end up in rivets and oceans and are ingested by fish, seabirds, or aquatic mammals.
Keep your cat indoors. Cats kill thousands of songbirds.