https://www.cohabitats.com/projects-1 daily 0.75 2020-12-17 https://www.cohabitats.com/about daily 0.75 2020-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608402773381-OPZS18YLVRNSWRZU7XSA/image-asset.jpeg About - We know land. We advocate for land. We follow wildlife tracks. We pick apart scat. We lift up rocks. We watch. We connect with and know the ecosystem. We get dirty. Image: Heather follows trail of black bear on beach (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608434554296-Q9FIFDPJ49C2L49H79IZ/IMG_4252.jpg About - About Us Cohabitats is an environmental consultancy using wildlife tracking and ecological knowledge to guide land use, sustainable site planning, and living building design. Our studies inform site planning, building and landscaping designs that are thoughtful, soulful and inspired. We work with landowners, architects and developers to craft ecologically sound projects. We promote: Conservation of wild land and habitat connectivity, Restoration of degraded lands, Climate change solutions and resilience, Increasing native biodiversity within cities. Our services encourage ecological and community health, richness and resilience. Cohabitats is a woman-owned business in Washington State. Image: Oregon grape understory in Western Washington forest (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847737533-XZEYJ52CL1Y88CID07X1/image-asset.jpeg About - Cohabitats has a strategic partnership with Beneficial Ventures Real Estate Brokerage. Purchase & sales for land conservation, eco-villages, agrihoods and other intentional communities, and green homes. 10% of all transactions are donated to environmental, humanitarian, and social justice non-profit organizations. Beneficial Ventures represented GHS Works to purchase Remember Land. Cohabitats provides an initial habitat reconnaissance service for Beneficial Ventures clients. Pending B-Corp www.beneficialventures.com https://www.cohabitats.com/home daily 1.0 2020-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608415973156-MXZXK3URPAOS6U66RUBN/Yurtbuddy.jpg Home - Cohabitats is an environmental consultancy guided by the wisdom of nature. We use wildlife tracking and ecological knowledge to navigate appropriate land use, sustainable site planning, and living building design. Our mission is to vitalize habitats for people and wildlife while cultivating harmonious coexistence. Image: Tracks of spotted skunk, raccoon, car, human feet, and bobcat on road (Photo by Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/resources daily 0.75 2020-12-28 https://www.cohabitats.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2020-12-31 https://www.cohabitats.com/rural-project daily 0.75 2020-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608408795640-MDB8WRDV5QFTP15AE4OJ/IMG_4246.jpg Rural Project - Remember Land: Experimental Land Stewardship Project 673 Acres near Battle Ground, WA Client: GSH Works Image: Meadow at top of site has abundant wildlife and wildflowers. (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608408340985-RCF2FC0PK69K2FBZ90P6/IMG_3079.JPG Rural Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608408976313-A14MV8T1XZZJUXO3OGP0/IMG_2922.JPG Rural Project https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608232631516-TLXN3KJEQN7DS3PHV5VY/Elk+Herd+sm.jpg Rural Project Curious elk herd checks out wildlife camera (Photo by remote wildlife camera) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608232561337-GQBLJHOFZ2KAEKC7Q9Q5/IMG_4213.jpg Rural Project One of three Garry oak savannas (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608232467420-U52SY5CG08VEVQLUIORK/IMG_4348.jpg Rural Project Fil surveying stream for fish, amphibians and aquatic insects (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608440663683-CFE43ESH3DNC4SFUURZ6/20180614_165330.jpg Rural Project Jason Knight discovers elks bed in the meadow. (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608180939824-CF521WEMA94XEZO5VKQS/Elk+Herd.jpg Rural Project Curious elk check out remote widllife camera https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608180976465-CJDF5239V2FKKX1HI5VX/Bear+Coyote.JPG Rural Project Black bear and coyote encounter on a trail (Remote wildlife camera) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406641663-8CEV08JMXEGUBTKV27YX/20180614_173830.jpg Rural Project Oregon iris (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406684363-6H8QSY2E7HR8VGK9RWV7/20180623_081946.jpg Rural Project Male cougar track (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406704412-GEWSM3RZIG280QA81L25/IMG_4200.jpg Rural Project Camas field in oak savanna (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406741489-WQ1KYS9I8HQB5PSJCVGG/STC_0005.JPG Rural Project One of numerous black-tailed deer, leaving meadow and entering forest (Remote wildlife camera) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608407083619-QZHBJ739XGGQEAFBPT8L/Cougar+walking.jpg Rural Project Male cougar walks forest road (Remote Wildlife Camera) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406783237-1NEM6K3NR45NPYBFOQYM/20180623_143023.jpg Rural Project View of Mount St. Helens from upper meadow (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608407086506-NF1R8G0BEF0N8V2M5IQD/20180622_191833.jpg Rural Project Lupine in meadow (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406827090-1N127IQ6VMS8SLI3PY7L/Newt+in+snow.jpg Rural Project Rough skinned newt crossing snow to breeding pond (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608407125999-I510BSG137LHQ91RCVNX/IMG_3085.JPG Rural Project One of several wetlands in late fall - amphibian breeding pond (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406766682-V02ZPFCYAV575ZEDE0GG/20180622_204457.jpg Rural Project Columbian lily (Photo by Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/biophilic-design-consulting daily 0.75 2021-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608416460596-CMC7FRQGL5QWX54E3JVY/IMG_1315.jpg Biophilic Design Consulting - Biophilic Design Consulting E.O Wilson defined the term biophilia in his 1984 book 'Biophilia’ in which, he states humans have an innate and evolutionarily based affinity for nature. The term refers to, 'the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life’. Image: Community garden in Brooklyn, New York (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608404532848-9RF3PH54AHS8I8XJ2N8U/IMG_1290.jpg Biophilic Design Consulting - Accessible green roofs can provide much needed oasis in urban cores for both people and wildlife. Images: New York Audubon Society intensive green roof habitat attracts a myriad of song birds, pollinators and bats. This is not a Cohabitats project but a wonderful representation of what’s possible. (Photo by Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/wildlifefriendly-urban-designs daily 0.75 2020-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608405770923-7TGBR6CELYLT76W9NQU8/IMG_1840.jpg Wildlife-Friendly Urban Designs - Wildlife-Friendly Urban Designs The urban environment can provide a rich, biodiverse place for many species. People also greatly benefit from urban spaces that offer opportunities to connect with nature. Wildlife-Friendly Urban Designs services combines several key design considerations to reduce harm to urban wildlife and increase the carrying capacity and diversity of wildlife in cities. We provide consulting for bird-friendly building guidelines to drastically reduce bird-strikes, the second leading cause of human cause of death to birds in North America. We provide help clients navigate the creation wildlife habitat within landscaping, rain gardens, swales, and green roofs and promote pollinator pathways. Image: Bumblebee on echinacea (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608407642411-YYZEBQJ44CQN36A9CYNF/image-asset.jpeg Wildlife-Friendly Urban Designs - Wildlife Friendly Gardens Invite more life to your property! Transform your yard into a certified backyard wildlife sanctuary with a palette of native plants that provide important food and cover -to birds and pollinators. Enjoy the diversity of life that an urban oasis attracts. We can help with both design and installation and use organic, permaculture approach. Image: Western Tiger Swallowtail https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608408023569-S1X3IPXUJLS16W114ID2/IMG_4200.jpg Wildlife-Friendly Urban Designs - Ethnobotany Garden Your garden can provide food, medicinal herbs. We can work with you to select medicinal plants to feature or integrate into your landscaping or veggie garden. Cohabitats can also help you showcase PNW native plants that have historical and contemporary uses for food, medicine and other traditional uses. Image: Camas (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608263737421-3FA1SDOK81SDVY4IJ2MK/IMG_1291.jpg Wildlife-Friendly Urban Designs - Green roofs can augment and diversity the carrying capacity of urban wildlife. Image: New York Audubon Society green roof habitat attracts birds, pollinators and bats (Photo by Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/site-assessment daily 0.75 2020-12-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608404356127-8XWBVCERC747D8LKRPDW/image-asset.jpeg Site Assessment Black bear track on hiking trail (Photo by Adventure_Photo) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608258060680-VHO49YF2KR0EFRZMB7FM/IMG_3272.jpg Site Assessment - Wildlife Species Surveys We identify wildlife food and water sources, shelter and cover, habitat features, and travel routes. Our methods of conducting wildlife surveys include: Wildlife tracking (identifying wildlife tracks and sign in the field) Wildlife remote cameras (locating strategic placement of remote motion-sensing cameras) Habitat & range maps (we identify species that may be present based on the habitat, connectivity, and species range maps) Image: Fil Tkazcyck conducting amphibian survey — northwestern salamander egg mass (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608262596480-URGW60G0XA2QVCNQEINK/Chocolate+Lily.JPG Site Assessment - Plant species surveys We provide species lists that include native plants, plant communities, invasive species, and species of concern. Image: Chocolate lily (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608262826096-WISBC4E7A0Y4H8I354IP/IMG_4213.jpg Site Assessment - Habitat Assessment We provide information about habitat types, priority habitats, and ecological health. Image: Garry oak savanna and camas field (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608263320902-C694NVPBRUWC6UQXRHZT/Elk.jpg Site Assessment - Identify wildlife needs within changing environments. We address challenges to wildlife such as removal of food or cover during clearing, narrowing habitat range, roads, development, and potential for human conflict. Image: Bull elk (Photo by Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/conflict-prevention daily 0.75 2020-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608271532346-KXS0JQWGMA6UDWBYS7YH/IMG_2797.JPG Conflict Prevention - Cohabitats helps clients plan to prevent predictable conflicts with a number of wildlife species. Image: Black-tailed deer browse on apple tree (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608406179256-6OW5D9DH4RON09VXVY1F/image-asset.jpeg Conflict Prevention - Conflict Prevention Conflict with wildlife is all too common and often leads to losses of wildlife, beloved companion animals, and farm animals. These tragic events can be reduced with preventative measures. Our philosophy is to get in front of the problem before there is one. Frequent conflicts occur with predation of pets, farm animals, herbivores enjoying the bounty of ornamental and edible plants, restoration trees and shrubs, pillaging of trash, recycling and composting, and attraction of the myriad of “pests”. Cohabitats will help clients understand which species could present a conflict to you and find solutions on your property to reduce the likelihood of these unfortunate events. Conflict prevention planning informs site design, building design, waste management, landscape planting selections, orchards, gardens, farms, livestock containment and CC&Rs. Cohabitats is not a pest management company. We do not perform exclusion or pest management. Our services do not eliminate wildlife but rather help guide design for site planning and techniques to prevent potential conflicts. https://www.cohabitats.com/stewardship-planning daily 0.75 2020-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608405452954-2FT2VNJQLAL89DDK8RX7/Cougar+walking.jpg Stewardship Planning - Wildlife Stewardship Planning The Wildlife Stewardship plan provides clients with details about how to be good neighbors to the local wildlife. Image: Cougar walking a forest road (Remote wildlife camera) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608416766269-JH0P0S8L9BK7LMB5IBBZ/Barred+Owl.jpg Stewardship Planning - Forest Stewardship Planning Cohabitats develops forest stewardship plans for landowners to use for their own land management and submission to incentive programs. The plan is based on the client’s goals for potential uses, zoning, forest health, and ecological management. Image: Western western red cedar, western hemlock & sword ferns in Western Washington forest (Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/urban-project daily 0.75 2020-12-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608437216521-QEFX4WNG1CQYPMZXKDH9/IMG_2612.JPG Urban Project - Urban Wildlife Sanctuary “Our yard went from a conventional yard to an urban oasis, backyard, wildlife sanctuary. Cohabitats co-created a design with us that included native plant selection and vital habitat features. Cohabitat’s facilitation resulted in our application and successful award of a grant through the King Conservation District cost share program for Upland Wildlife Habitat Best Practices. Since transforming our yard 10 years ago, our property is a robust native habitat that abounds with numerous songbirds, woodpeckers, and birds of prey and pollinators. It’s a wonderful place to relax, connect with nature, and enjoy the bounty of birds. It’s good for the wildlife and good for our souls.” Dr. Afia Christine Menke & Dan Thielman Image: Dr. Afia Menke & Dan Thielman (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608438540998-44VZU7EQ1NZL6EP8EJXC/IMG_2624.JPG Urban Project - Awarded King Conservation District Grant Project Description: A suburban pie-shaped 7,582 square foot property. The wildlife habitat project enhanced approximately 4,000 sq ft. The project area was predominately shade and had an existing patio, fruit trees, invasive species and ornamentals. The property borders several mature Douglas firs, western hemlocks, western red cedar, and Pacific madrone, all of which greatly enhance the wildlife use of the property. Image: Afia and Dan’s yard 10 years after installation. (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608438342760-FSA3DRUWTFVZHVTSSV5P/IMG_2609.JPG Urban Project - Client Vision Convert traditional backyard to a thriving wildlife habitat with sitting areas and pathways for people to enjoy and special areas for composting and foliage debris clean-up. Image: Afia and Dan’s backyard 10 years after installation. (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608438724130-8N3439L4LTWV45CGBA6W/IMG_5855.JPG Urban Project - Cohabitats Services & Deliverables Site Assessment Wildlife Habitat Backyard Design and Installation Contracted through King Conservation District’s Upland Wildlife Best Practices Cost Share Program Image: Before picture (Photo by Heather Swift) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608438889233-DKKH8AQ5Q3NCKRAHX6YR/IMG_3056.JPG Urban Project Image: This Great Blue Heron is one of many bird visitors since the backyard transformation. (Photo by Dr. Afia Menke) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608439006600-5C4M1C17HBTYKZN82FTG/IMG_2609.JPG Urban Project Image: Stumpy and native vegetation create a rich urban habitat for wildlife. (Photo by Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/team daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608436209913-02YXCUEV5O2JJ308YZC3/Heather+1.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608436361624-QOF3KRJRDHVJ87PONKZ4/image-asset.jpeg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608436531630-YBFR2I0S7QUUOGPQ4U5P/Chris.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608605527453-CDLROP5A8Z59LIJQUH0U/Jason+teaching+about+gray+fox+tracks+2.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608436726163-N16STXA25GLKWDFUT88J/IMG_5612.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608253120774-9S05KV5ZAQPKR4RD3F5L/Heather+and+Cougar2.jpg Team Heather with female cougar, tranquilized to receive radio collar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608253216633-F6TJ7V9TW83UWBOEOJN6/IMG_4332.jpg Team Fil with garter snake https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608253091884-QNF3BGOU5THPDDZ5O8FE/20180614_165330.jpg Team Jason with elk bed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608253346670-EV91NTKH6CJOWK0FW7M6/IMG_4348.jpg Team Fil monitors stream for fish, amphibian larvae and aquatic insects https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608254243124-2OEBLNXAXGKNA52MYHZA/NW+Salamander+Egg+Mass.jpg Team Fil with northwestern salamander egg mass https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608254595274-BY0OWLFW5VZFFPD3XHXQ/IMG_3917.jpg Team Cougar track with Heather's foot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608255417174-V2436U45DH2JLDK9CNP5/20180614_161333.jpg Team https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608255446645-QZBP5OHVAMFEB36T62IX/IMG_2788.jpg Team Chris investigates kill site of a merganzer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608255467303-91LCYTQ6PAWQ552YVB99/IMG_2354.jpg Team Fil and Chris scout for reptiles in a clear cut https://www.cohabitats.com/education-training daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1614979966516-IHYM9NMGX0Z58MPIHMVG/Tree+Swallow.jpg Education & Events Tree swallow in snag nest cavity “Chris Byrd is the most skilled naturalist that I know personally. He is extremely skilled in bird knowledge including bird identification and bird language. His bird classes are extremely detailed and thorough, and cover everything from bird morphology and taxonomy to flight migration patterns, feather identification and mnemonic devices for remembering bird calls.” - Jack Pain “Chris is a "human encyclopedia". I have gained a deep well of knowledge concerning birds and bird language. I have used the information that I gained from Chris to identify predators that I was tracking when leading groups in the wilderness. I have learned to identify territories and mating behavior by remembering what Chris had taught me. I have been able to see the universal language of birds as I have moved around the country, and it gave me a deeper understanding of my environment. Every bird class that Chris ran left me satisfied with what I had learned, but always craving more because of the inspiration he instilled in me.” - James Michael Ciesluk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608328477067-ZAB9CKZ11B0FLXO33PZO/blackbear.03landscape+%281%29.jpg Education & Events - Education: Workshops & Retreats Custom courses and events include: Land Listening Workshops Naturalist & Stewardship Skills Workshops Forest Bathing & Nature Connection Retreats Land Honoring Ceremonies Learn skills and knowledge that foster connection with the natural world. Cohabitats has unique skills in connecting with land and its wild inhabitants. We provide training to stimulate sensory awareness, increase identification skills, refine interpretive observations and foster a deep connection with nature. Cohabitats believes that increasing connection and knowledge of the natural world is critical to our path to healing our environment and becoming powerful stewards. Image: Students tracking a black bear on the Oregon Dunes (Photo by Jason Knight) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1608416842501-IB28C5SLRMY9JS8HM3TD/20171022_153455.jpg Education & Events - Learn new ways to connect to the natural world! Image: Harvesting for fall wild edible plants class Image: (Photo by instructor Heather Swift) https://www.cohabitats.com/informed-design-consulting daily 0.75 2020-12-20 https://www.cohabitats.com/interpretive-gardens daily 0.75 2021-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1610134006697-E98JCEVV7EXLMR1GGVKB/Rose.jpg Interpretive Gardens Wild rose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1610133676200-FPGJXWGGLN1Z74H8GNG1/Cedar.JPG Interpretive Gardens Western red cedar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1610133718364-I1MGWD4TO69S2A795Y37/Mt+Huck.jpg Interpretive Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1610133764941-72BMON47H6GX921WNS1E/IMG_4200.jpg Interpretive Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1610134071127-XS5EBPMQ8TLVV11QG8R7/Red+Huck.jpg Interpretive Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1610134273247-ZWUP1CTJR9JS5Y9RV7ED/OG.jpg Interpretive Gardens https://www.cohabitats.com/articles daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd90e9a7241f9658d3ba17f/1614982524768-MP5I6HMYJGFG0XPTE6BE/Tree+Swallow.jpg Articles - Tree Swallows: A Brief Introduction to One of the First Neotropical Migrants of the Year By Chris Byrd As we near the month of March here in the Puget Trough, the onset of spring migration is near. Bird species that wintered in the southern United States, Central and South America will begin their yearly migration to northern latitudes for the breeding season arriving in our region anywhere from the end of February until early June. Tree swallows are one of our earliest arrivals, and in their own way, herald the transition of winter into spring. Identification of adults: Tree swallows can be identified by their iridescent blue-green backs white bellies, long tails with a moderate fork and broad wings in comparison with other swallow species. Differentiation from similar species: Tree swallows have dorsal coloration (back) that extends below the level of the eye,and forms a distinct boundary between the iridescent back and white belly. The similar looking violet-green swallow can be differentiated from tree swallows by the white that wraps around behind the eye, and the white patches that extend from the ventral (bottom) portion of the swallow onto the rump. Violet green swallows also have shorter tails (during the down stroke of the wing the tail of violet green swallows appears shorter than the wings) with greater forking and thinner wings. Biology Basics: Range: Tree swallows winter in the southern United States, Mexico and Central America as far south as Guatemala. Habitat: During the winter tree swallows inhabit a variety of open habitats. During migratory periods open waters with emergent vegetation become important as night roosts, although trees and even powerlines can suffice. The habitats preferred during the nesting season are similar to those of the wintering period, with the addition of the need for cavities (often in trees) for nesting. Diet and Behavior: Tree swallows are often found in large flocks over water fields, foraging for flying insects. Unlike most swallow species, tree swallows are not entirely dependent on insects; instead they are able to incorporate plant matter (for example the berries of Myrica californica). The ability to use an expanded suite of food resources may explain their ability to overwinter further north, and migrate earlier than other swallows. Nesting: Tree swallows are a cavity nesting species. Being unable to excavate their own cavities tree swallows rely on (and often overlap in habitat with) primary cavity excavators such as woodpecker species. Although cavity abundance can be a limiting factor for many secondary cavity users tree swallows have the ability to use a wider variety of natural cavities (beyond those excavated by other spe ies) to fulfil their nesting requirements. Most nests are in standing dead trees over water, stumps and in live aspen trees with cavities excavated by sapsucker species. The nest itself is an open cup composed primarily of grass. A unique feature of many swallow nests is the inclusion of large feathers, with the rachis (quill end) of the feather embedded in the nesting material, and the vane of the feather covering the eggs. Some studies have suggested that white feathers may be preferred over other feather colors. Conservation and Stewardship: A great way to help tree swallows on your property is to provide nest boxes. If you wish to include nest boxes remember that placement is very important. Improperly placed boxes can create population sinks where mortality exceeds breeding success. Some tips for tree swallow nest box placement include: 1) Place boxes on poles in open areas. 2) Keep the boxes 100 feet apart 3) Place the boxes 50 yards from the edge of the water, 100 yards from buildings, 50 yards from tree and shrub cover, and 25 yards from roads. These recommendations help minimize predation, human impact, and nest site competition from other bird species. As winter draws to a close, keep your eyes on local ponds and wetlands. If you do, you may be fortunate to catch a glimpse of our first tree swallows. https://www.cohabitats.com/take-action daily 0.75 2025-05-12