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Attract birds naturally
You don’t need a bird feeder to attract songbirds to your yard or garden. Providing natural food sources and water can benefit wildlife while still providing plenty of viewing opportunities for bird lovers.
MassWildlife strongly advises the public to avoid providing supplemental food for wildlife—that includes backyard birdfeeders. Feeding birds and other wildlife can often cause more harm than good. Feeding wildlife at any time of year teaches them to rely on humans for food, which puts them at a disadvantage for survival. Bird feeders may increase mortality from window strikes and predation by pet cats, some of the largest sources of wild bird mortality in North America. Supplemental feeding also congregates wildlife into unnaturally high densities, which increases the risk of spreading a variety of bacterial and viral diseases among birds. Bird feeders often draw wildlife other than songbirds including bears, coyotes, wild turkeys, and rodents closer to homes.
The good news is that bird and nature lovers can attract birds naturally throughout the year by adding native plants, bird houses, or bird baths. Read the suggestions below to create a bird-friendly yard.
Food
To attract birds naturally, first you need to attract insects. Birds, like the common chickadee, require native trees and plants close to their nest in order to find enough insects to feed their nestlings. To attract more birds to your back yard native fruit-bearing shrubs (like those listed below) are essential, both for the fruit and the insect fauna they support.
Insect friendly and therefore bird friendly vegetation that you can plant in your own yard:
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Oaks—white oaks are the best species to promote native insects
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Black willow and pussy willow
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Black cherry and common chokecherry
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Birches
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Dogwoods
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Hollies
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Elderberry
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Mulberry
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Juniper
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Viburnums
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Shadbush/serviceberry/amalachier
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Blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and aronia berry
A healthy mix of native vegetation will draw a variety of species to your yard. Native trees and shrubs that produce berries (like dogwoods, serviceberries, cherries, blueberry) provide fruit in summer and/or fall and are much more nutritious (high in fats and lipids) than fruits of non-native plants. During the summer when birds are nesting, the young are fed almost exclusively invertebrates like caterpillars. Native plants support a much higher diversity and number of invertebrates than non-native plants. This is especially true with caterpillars, which are the preferred food for young songbirds. Growing native plants in your yard can be the best way to attract many species of birds to the area and increase nesting success for chickadees and other species.
Are you looking to attract hummingbirds? Native species of wild bergamot and red columbine have colorful, tubular flowers that will entice hummingbirds and butterflies! You might also include trumpet honeysuckle, cardinal flower, spotted impatiens, Canada lily, and native azaleas and rhododendrons.
Find a list of native plants to attract birds to your yard by soil type and sunlight preference.
Water
Birds need water for drinking and bathing. To enhance your garden for birds, add a source of water for them like a birdbath or fountain. They are especially attracted to moving to dripping water. Ideally, the water level in artificial birdbaths should be no more than 2 inches deep. A gradual decrease in depth towards the edges allows birds of all sizes to drink and bathe in the depth they prefer. A water drip or wiggler may be added to create the sight and sound of moving water, while deterring mosquitoes. Water should be replaced weekly to keep it clean.
Shelter
Shelter is as critically important as food and water. Birds need a safe place to rest, preen their feathers, and escape when predators are present. Each night, birds settle into dense shrubs or coniferous trees to sleep. Providing these refuges in your yard is another way to attract birds. Consider adding wood or wicker bird houses for nesting in the summer and roosting during cold winter nights.
Additional tips
We all like to keep a well-maintained yard. But birds like things a little more on the wild side! Leave small piles of branches and leaves around your yard. These will attract ground-dwelling invertebrates—perfect for birds like American robins and northern flickers. The brush piles provide shelter for bird species like the Carolina wren. Decomposing piles will replenish nutrients to your soil over time. When possible, don't cut down dead trees, also called snags. Snags are favored foraging and nesting places for many species of birds.
Watch for turtles on the road
Across Massachusetts, spring is the season of movement. Hibernating animals emerge from their winter resting areas in search of food and mates. Turtles are no exception. From mid-May to early July, thousands of turtles throughout Massachusetts travel to new areas to find food and nest. You may see turtles on roadways, in your backyard, or other unexpected locations as they move across the landscape to find resources they need to survive. Even if it’s not apparent to you where they’re headed, turtles have a keen sense of direction and may be on their way to wetlands or open, upland sites such as lawns, gravel pits, or roadsides for nesting. If you find a turtle, do not move it far away.
Protecting adult turtles during this vulnerable time can make a big difference. “Adult turtles can live past 80 years. Young turtles and eggs, on the other hand, have a variety of predators and a low chance of reaching adulthood,” says Dr. Mike Jones, MassWildlife State Herpetologist. "This is why it's especially important to protect older adult turtles from cars, especially during this time of year when turtles are crossing roads more frequently." Losing any adult turtles, particularly adult females, is a serious problem that can lead to the eventual local extinction of a population.
What to do if you see a turtle in or near a road:
- Be safe. Do not risk getting hurt or causing harm to others by unsafely pulling off the road or trying to dodge traffic. If the opportunity to safely move a turtle from the road occurs, move it in the direction it was heading and off the edge of the road. The turtle is trying to get to habitats and resources it needs and knows. Do not take turtles home or move them to a "better” location; turtles should not be moved more than 100 yards from where they are found.
- Handle with care. Most turtles should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. However, snapping turtles are fast and have very powerful jaws that can inflict a bad bite. A snapping turtle can reach your hands if you lift it by the sides of its shell. If you must move a snapping turtle, use a broom to coax it into a plastic tub or box. Never lift a snapping turtle only by the tail; this can injure their spine.
- Slow down, be observant. Watch for turtles on roadways bordered by wetlands on both sides. These areas are commonly used as crossing points. If you see one turtle crossing, there's a chance that others will be crossing soon as well.
- Report busy crossing locations. Let MassWildlife know If you see multiple turtles crossing the road or if you see multiple turtles that have been hit by cars. Email location information to natural.heritage@mass.gov. You can also contact your town Conservation Commission or local conservation groups and support measures to help turtles. Signage, barrier fencing, or seasonal speed bumps can help reduce roadkill.
Spread the word and help protect our native turtles. In addition to five species of sea turtles that frequent our coastal areas, Massachusetts is home to ten native species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Six of the 10 species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Learn more in our native turtles.
Take mom fishing
A family fishing trip is a fun way to celebrate Mother’s Day and get everyone together for an outdoor adventure. With the right preparation, you can help make Mother’s Day fishing the perfect gift.
Tips to have the best experience:
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Pick the perfect place. Mom deserves quality time in a scenic area this Mother’s Day. To find places to fish near you, use our Go Fish MA! interactive map. Filter for "featured sites" (using the gray icon in the bottom center of the map) to see some of the spots staff recommend for easiest access. To make a day of it, state parks are also a great option. They often offer extra amenities like picnic tables, grills, walking trails, and bathrooms. To go fishing with younger children, try a place closer to home, and look for open space with enough room for kids to cast.
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Get your gear ready. Pack everything the day before, and let mom relax. Remember to bring your sunscreen, bug spray, and mom's favorite snacks! Click here for a list of recommended items to get started fishing.
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Buy her fishing license as a gift, and tuck it into a handmade card. This gift keeps on giving, as licenses are valid through the end of the year. Kids younger than 15 can fish for free without a license. Licenses are also free for anglers ages 15–17 and anglers ages 70 and older. Get your fishing licenses here.
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Take lots of pictures! Capture that perfect action shot of mom reeling in her catch. Take group selfies to remember the day. Please tag us on social media, so we can see how much fun you’re having! Find us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Plan extra activities. Keep everyone entertained by adding a nature walk, or bringing toys, binoculars, frisbees, playing cards, and anything else your family enjoys.
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Prepare a meal. If someone reels in a keeper, consider bringing it home to make a nice meal for mom.
Time on the water with mom doesn’t have to just last one day. Get out as often as you can, to keep making memories and reeling in those fish!
Wear your life jacket this spring
With nearly 1,500 miles of coastline, four major river systems, and hundreds of lakes and ponds, Massachusetts offers great opportunities to get out on the water. As warmer weather arrives, and to recognize National Safe Boating Week (May 21–27), the Massachusetts Environmental Police and MassWildlife remind boaters and anglers to put safety first by wearing life jackets.
Warmer days of spring can often mask water temperatures that are still dangerously cold. If you capsize or fall overboard, you can develop hypothermia within minutes. Hypothermia, the lowering of your internal body temperature, can make it difficult for you to swim, paddle, or stay afloat. A sudden, unexpected fall into cold water can also cause you to involuntarily gasp and ingest water, which can lead to death by drowning. Your life jacket may not prevent hypothermia, but it will help you stay afloat, and it can save your life. Boating fatality victims were often not wearing life jackets.
Safety advocates recommend all boaters and passengers have a life jacket and wear it at all times while boating.
In Massachusetts, life jackets must be worn by:
- Canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15
- Youth under 12 years old
- Personal watercraft users
- Water skiers
- Stand-up paddleboard users
Facts about fawns
To stay hidden from predators, young white-tailed deer spend much of their first 30 days on their own. Learn about fawn development and why you should never approach or take a fawn from the wild even if it’s alone.
Adult female deer, called does, typically give birth to 1–3 baby fawns each year. Most are born in May and June; however, fawns can be born in Massachusetts any time between April and September. Healthy fawns weigh about 4-9 pounds at birth and can walk within an hour. During their first couple of months, fawns spend much of their time away from their mothers. This separation protects the fawns, who are not yet strong enough to flee from predators that may be attracted to the mother. Let’s take a closer look at the normal phases of fawn and doe behavior:
Bed Phase (May – June)
The bed phase lasts for the first 5–8 days of a fawn’s life (see photo above). Newborn fawns spend most of this time bedded on the ground alone laying very still even when a person or animal comes near. The mother visits very briefly only a couple times a day to feed the fawn and move it to a new location. If humans or pets are around, most does stay away from their fawn to avoid drawing attention to its location and return when the threat has passed. Does keep twins and triplets apart so if a predator finds one, they will not find the others. If a fawn is threatened, it may drop its head, flatten its ears, and even suspend its breathing. This behavior helps the fawn avoid being detected by predators. While fawns may seem like they are most vulnerable during this stage, it is actually the lowest risk phase for predation.
Flush Phase (May – June)
The flush phase is the first approximately 8–30 days of a fawn’s life. Fawns still spend most of their time bedded on the ground alone receiving brief, infrequent visits from their mother. During this phase, fawns lay still until a threat is close and then quickly run—or “flush”—to a new spot and bed down to hide. They may make crying or bleating sounds when they are disturbed by people or when trying to locate their mother.
BE WILDLIFE SMART: During the bed and flush phases, people sometimes find what they think is an abandoned fawn and attempt to remove it from the wild. While this is well intentioned, it is harmful to the fawn. It is also illegal to possess or capture a fawn. If you find a fawn, the best thing you can do is leave it alone. The mother is likely nearby and continuing to check on the fawn. During these phases, there can be increased risk of conflict between does and dogs when does try to protect their fawns that are hidden nearby. Pet owners can reduce risk of conflict by leashing their dogs and keeping them close by when deer are in the area.
Active Phase (July – August)
Active phase begins after a fawn is about 30 days old. During this time, fawns are strong enough to flee from predators and are seen more frequently as they start exploring their environment. Fawns begin to spend more time with their mothers and siblings during this period.
BE WILDLIFE SMART: During the active phase, people often see fawns and their mothers near their homes and neighborhoods. Do your part to keep fawns and adult deer wild! Never intentionally feed wildlife and observe at a respectful distance.
What to do if you find a fawn:
- Leave the fawn alone, even if the mother is not in sight. The mother is likely nearby and visiting her fawn when she doesn’t feel threatened. This behavior helps the fawn avoid being detected by predators.
- If you have taken a fawn into your care, you should immediately return it where you found it, or in safe cover nearby. Then, quickly leave the area so the fawn does not follow you and the mother can return. The mother will return to nurse the fawn even if it has been handled by people. Do not try to feed fawns as they have sensitive stomachs.
- It is illegal for any member of the public to possess a deer fawn for any reason.
- If a fawn is visibly injured or found with its dead mother, call MassWildlife at 508-389-6300 or the MA Environmental Police at (800) 632-8075. In the rare situation where rehabilitation is needed, care for fawns will be coordinated by MassWildlife.
Celebrate Endangered Species Day May 19
May 19 is Endangered Species Day! Join MassWildlife in recognizing the 432 plants and animals that are listed on the Massachusetts Endangered Species List. Each species plays an important role in keeping the Commonwealth's natural communities thriving. MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) focuses on conserving rare species and their habitats throughout Massachusetts. Check out our rare species success stories!
This year’s celebration is even more meaningful as it coincides with the 50thanniversary of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA has been a powerful tool used by government agencies and other organizations to conserve hundreds of plants and animals. The Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, now in its 33rd year, was modeled after the federal ESA and provides additional protection for the Commonwealth's most imperiled species and their habitats.
On Endangered Species Day and every day of the year, you can make a difference in rare species conservation!
Report rare species
Help MassWildlife monitor rare plants and animals by telling us when you see them. If you have information on the location of a rare species or a vernal pool and would like to help NHESP keep its database current, submit your observations through the Heritage Hub.
Donate to support rare species
You can make a big impact by donating directly to NHESP. Please consider making a donation today of $4.32 to honor the 432 animals and plants on the MA Endangered Species Act List. All money donated goes towards conserving the rare animals and plants that call Massachusetts home. Your donation goes toward equipment and services needed to give these species a fighting chance.
There are a few ways you can donate:
- Online with a credit card or electronic check
(You will be redirected to our payment portal managed by nCourt, LLC.) - Through your MassFishHunt account
- By check made payable to "Comm. of MA—NHESP" and mailed to: MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581
Wild brown trout management in the Deerfield River
For the past four years, MassWildlife has been conducting extensive mark-recapture electrofishing surveys on the Deerfield River to assess the brown trout population. The surveys were focused on the upper section of the river from the Fife Brook Dam to the Route 2 bridge crossing in Charlemont. Results from this work show that over 80% of the brown trout in this section of the Deerfield River are wild. These wild trout were born in the Deerfield or a nearby tributary, not stocked as adults from the hatchery. Based on these findings, MassWildlife has decided that brown trout stocking is no longer necessary in this section of the river since there are many wild fish present.
“Fishing in the Deerfield River is better than ever, and anglers will not notice much of a change from the stocking adjustments,” says Adam Kautza, MassWildlife’s Coldwater Fishery Resource Project Leader. “We will continue to stock rainbow trout in this section of the river. Also, the typical allotment of hatchery-raised brown trout usually stocked upstream of the Route 2 bridge will still be stocked further downstream.” The combination of stocked trout and wild brown trout along with two catch-and-release only areas makes the Deerfield a premier destination for all kinds of anglers.
Consistent with the last four years of the survey, MassWildlife biologists will continue to clip the adipose fin of all hatchery-raised brown trout released into the lower section of the Deerfield. “This will enable us to continue monitoring this area and we will know if any hatchery trout make the trip upstream,” says Kautza. “We will continue to monitor the trout population and reassess as needed.”
This survey, along with other fisheries research, allows MassWildlife to more effectively manage fish populations and to provide a variety of fishing opportunities to the public. This project was made possible by ongoing support from the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Greater Boston Chapter of Trout Unlimited. These groups were instrumental in getting this project started and provided physical and financial assistance along the way. “We commend MassWildlife for taking this huge step toward protecting and expanding the wild brown trout population in the upper Deerfield,” says Eric Halloran, president of the Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “We’ve known for years that this part of the Deerfield has a significant population of wild brown trout. We hope that through our working relationship with MassWildlife the wild trout population in the Deerfield Watershed will continue to expand.”
Anglers can take advantage of great freshwater fishing in the Deerfield and statewide. Go to mass.go/trout to see where MassWildlife is stocking nearly half a million trout this year. Or use MassWildlife’s Go Fish MA! digital fishing map to find pond and lake descriptions, water depth, catch and release areas, boat launches, and bait stores.