Volunteers spent the morning controlling non-native invasive plants at Big Trees Forest Preserve in Sandy Springs.

Nest boxes are good replacements for tree cavities.

It’s getting close to that time of year when birds and other creatures feel the urge to reproduce. 

Different bird species make different kinds of nests. Species like Northern cardinals, American Robins, and ruby-throated hummingbirds raise their young in an open cup nest made with materials like twigs, grasses, feathers, moss, lichen, fur, and occasionally shed snakeskin.  Other species such as Eastern bluebirds, Carolina chickadees, and barred owls require a tree cavity to build their nests.  They will not build an open cup nest.

Invasive English Ivy is ubiquitous in greater Atlanta.  This evergreen vine, planted for ground cover, forms thick mats that smother native perennials, native shrubs and can even damage large canopy trees.  By out-competing native vegetation, invasive plants degrade wildlife habitat and reduce biodiversity.