Hi Kim,
Whenever I see or hear a bird on our property it makes me happy. Our bird population has been dwindling to the point where one endemic species is now extinct. Scientists have rescued other endemic birds from extinction by gathering them and sending them to zoo's world-wide to allow for breeding in healthy and safe conditions. There are three species only (according to the literature) that are currently still wild. What happened? Brown tree snakes!!
Sometime during WWII the snakes were unintentionally introduced here by way of cargo. The birds had no defense against them. They raided nests and ate eggs as well as the smaller adult birds. The government has done everything it could possibly do to control the snakes, but our jungle growth on the island are their habitat. There are literally thousands on island.
So...now I am thinking about building bird feeders to help in conservation. But, alas, I am hesitant to do so for fear of attracting the snakes out of the jungle. Our property is bordered by jungle on one side. And yes, they do visit us at home sometimes during the night. <shudder>
Any thoughts on how I could do my part in saving our birds?
