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“By making our yards more bird, pollinator, and wildlife friendly, we encourage other creatures to linger in our spaces,” maintains Bridgewater College biology professor Robyn Puffenbarger. “Just a few additions can make your backyard into an interesting, welcoming environment for birds.”
The Rockbridge Bird Cub has invited Puffenbarger to give a talk on “Gardening for Birds and Wildlife” next Monday, Feb. 12, in the Piovano Room at the Rockbridge Regional Library. The evening will begin at 6:30 with a social gathering, followed by the presentation at 7. The program is free.
Dr. Puffenbarger will describe ecosystems and offer guidance for building a plant community in a variety of settings – sun or shade, on a patio or spread over acres – to help attract new backyard birds and other wildlife.
Puffenbarger is professor and chair of the Department of Biology and Environmental Science at Bridgewater College. Since 2021, she has been on the team of Virginia Home Grown, filming about all aspects of gardening in the Shenandoah Valley for the VPM/PBS live program. As a Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, she continues to learn more about native plantings that support wildlife.
Birding at Boxerwood
Rockbridge Bird Club also invites area residents to join them this Saturday, Feb. 10, for “Birding at Boxerwood.”
Boxerwood walks, scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, are an excellent introduction for those new to birding, said a spokesperson. During the February walk, participants are likely to see many of the species that winter in Rockbridge, including the White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and Winter Wren.
Birders will meet in the parking lot at Boxerwood, 963 Ross Road, at 8:30 a.m. for a twohour stroll. Participants should bring their own binoculars and wear sturdy footwear.
Walks are cancelled for rain. For more information or an iffy weather update, visit the Rockbridge Bird Club on Facebook or contact Bonnie Bernstein at (540) 460-9147 or bonnie.bernstein@ gmail.com.
