Warm Weather Birds Touches Down in Berlin Ahead of Schedule
Songbirds Nightingale, Swallow, and Cuckoo return to Berlin's skies once again. - Three Familiar Bird Species Return to Berlin's Skies
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Summer-loving birds such as the nightingale, swallow, and cuckoo have made an early appearance in Berlin's urban landscapes. Urban nature aficionado, Derk Ehlert, spoke to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur about this unexpected sighting.
The unexpected warm weather combined with a recent drought might be the reason for the early bird arrivals, says Ehlert. Migratory birds often avoid flying in the rain but had a tailwind this time, allowing them to show up earlier than usual. As if that wasn't enough, the maybug beetle can be seen fluttering around the city too—up to three weeks earlier than the norm. Ehlert points out that the early arrival is positively impacting a variety of animals, from foxes and bats to hedgehogs.
The drought scenario is causing some concern for nature enthusiasts. Ehlert expresses worry about the extensive dry spell over the past three months, as February, March, and April were exceptionally dry. An unfortunate reality is that hedgehogs and other creatures are facing challenges due to the lack of water. Additionally, plants that require rainwater to grow are struggling too. However, thanks to the trees storing energy in their roots during the fall, they've managed to stay green despite the conditions.
A Little Helping Hand from Berliners
Many of us can lend a helping hand during these dry periods. Ehlert suggests setting up small bowls of water to offer birds a bath. As autumn approaches, leaving fallen leaves on the ground can create shelters for hibernating animals and combat evaporation.
While official advice from Derk Ehlert on navigating droughts may not be readily available, general tips for helping urban wildlife and plants can make all the difference. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
Tips for Supporting Urban Wildlife and Plants During Drought
For Animals:
- Setup additional water sources like bird baths or small water containers for safe drinking and bathing.
- Construct or maintain shelters like birdhouses or rock piles to provide animals with a protective refuge from the heat.
- Reduce the use of pesticides to minimize harm to beneficial insects and other wildlife.
For Plants:
- Water plants during cooler parts of the day to avoid evaporation and improve absorption.
- Apply mulch to retain moisture in the soil and decrease the frequency of watering.
- Opt for drought-resistant plant species to reduce overall water consumption.
By taking action today, we can help make Berlin a more welcoming city for its feathery and furry residents as they deal with the challenges presented by the current drought conditions.
- The early arrival of summer-loving birds in Berlin's urban landscapes could be due to the community policy of setting up additional water sources like bird baths, providing them with a safe drinking and bathing spot.
- In light of the ongoing drought, it's crucial to maintain or construct shelters for animals, such as birdhouses or rock piles, as part of the employment policy to create protective refuges from the heat for various wildlife species.
- To combat evaporation during the dry period, following a science-backed environmental-science approach could involve leaving fallen leaves on the ground to create shelters for hibernating animals and reduce water requirements.
- As a responsible citizen, one can help mitigate the impact of climate-change, especially when it leads to drought conditions, by minimizing pesticide use as per employment policy recommendations to protect beneficial insects and other urban wildlife.
- To support plants during drought, employing water-efficient practices like applying mulch and watering plants during cooler parts of the day as per guidelines set forth by the employment policy can significantly reduce water consumption and contribute to a more sustainable urban environment.
