DEAR JOAN: The place have all of the birds gone this spring? I've not seen my two hummingbirds for six weeks, regardless of altering out the meals each week, and we've got not seen any songbirds. We do have some crows however not that many to account for the shortage of our fowl life.
Is that this widespread within the space? Any thought why?
— John M. Bonds, Cupertino
DEAR JOHN: I’ve been penning this column for greater than a decade, and I get at the very least one in every of these questions each spring. You’d assume I’d have a greater reply, however “as a result of nature” is the most effective I’ve bought.
Whereas it’s unsettling to your yard to be abruptly devoid of fowl tune, the birds are on the market — simply not in your neighborhood. It'd look like a dire warning that one thing’s fallacious with the atmosphere, however it’s extra doubtless that it’s simply nature at work. Our unusually moist winter and spring have created an abundance of untamed flowers and bugs, and birds are making the most of that.
Different components could possibly be in play. If you happen to or your neighbors have let landscapes die within the drought, paved over backyards or changed lawns with rocks or synthetic turf, the neighborhood won't be as welcoming because it as soon as was. Using pesticides may also make a distinction, as can heavy building or a colony of cats dwelling close by.
Have a look in your yard, in addition to your basic neighborhood, to see what could be attracting or not attracting birds. My guess is that it’s only a glitch within the matrix, and the birds will return of their very own accord. Within the meantime, you possibly can add some drought-resistant flowering vegetation (sure, we've got water now, however that’s not a promise for the longer term), create some shady areas for the birds to hang around, put up some new feeders and, to draw hummingbirds, add some splashes of purple flowers or decor.
You may also take into account the place you have got the hummingbird feeders. Crops develop and dynamics change, and the previous spots won't be as engaging any extra. Birds wish to dine in protected areas, however away from locations predators may cover and launch a shock assault.
DEAR JOAN: For the previous couple of years most of my tomato vegetation have grown pretty massive and blossomed however most of the blossoms will fall off and I get no or little fruit. Any recommendation on what I can do that 12 months to stop that?
— Max Ritter, Livermore
DEAR MAX: The commonest reason for blossom drop is lack of pollination. Tomatoes have what are referred to as good flowers, that means they've each the female and male plant elements, which is a good time saver, however they nonetheless need assistance from the wind and buzzing bees to unfold the pollen. Plant some flowers among the many tomatoes to assist entice bees, and gently run your hand over the foliage often to assist scatter the pollen.
One other frequent reason for blossom drop is one thing we don’t have a lot management over – temperature. When daytime temperatures are above 85 levels, or nighttime temps rise above 70, the flowers drop off. Spend money on some shade material and when it will get too heat, cowl the vegetation to assist hold them cool.
Animal Life runs on Mondays. Contact Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.