Rewilding the Backyard: A Half-Acre Return to Nature

Dodson’s Bird Observatory Field Journal

Date of Observation: June 21, 2025

Location: Feura Bush, New York

On a calm summer evening, with the sun dipping low behind the trees, I took a slow walk through the half-acre section of our backyard that we’ve chosen to let return to native vegetation. These photos were taken on June 21, 2025, as the golden light filtered through a mosaic of grasses and emerging wildflowers—evidence of nature’s quiet comeback.

Long before we moved here, this property was part of a working agricultural field. Today, it sits adjacent to an 80-acre hayfield that is still harvested at least twice a year. Earlier this spring, I broadcast roughly 18,000 wildflower seeds across this plot. Now, in early summer, tiny white blooms and splashes of color are beginning to dot the tall grass.

We're managing this rewilding effort by mowing a few meandering paths through the area. These paths offer us a way to experience the field up close—observing wildlife, tracking plant progress, and simply enjoying the peacefulness of a space being given back to nature.

We're also encouraging the natural restoration of an old fencerow along one edge of the property. Once choked with brush and broken limbs, it is now becoming a sanctuary, with native shrubs, saplings, and vines creating shelter and food sources for birds and other wildlife. A simple birdhouse nearby helps support cavity-nesting species.

This space is transforming before our eyes—not through force, but through patience and observation. We're not just watching nature return; we’re participating in its renewal.

Mowing Practices to Benefit Ground-Nesting Birds

 On May 28, 2025 I heard the distinctive sounds of a tractor in the 80 grass pasture located just to the east of our property here in Feura Bush. I was dismayed to see that the landowner who allows farmers from somewhere in our area to mow and harvest grass for cattle feed (I assume) was out in the field mowing down the grass. This, in my opinion was WAY to early in the season to be harvesting grass, particularly since we have been swamped in recent weeks by never ending rain. Not to mention there are numerous species of ground nesting birds that use the field for nesting. Interestingly just this morning I received an email/newsletter from the NY Department of Environmental Conservation that included the informational piece that I have copied and pasted below. Good reading if you care about ground nesting bird conservation and conservation landscape management practices. 

While grasses are getting greener and flowers are blooming, New Yorkers are beginning to think about their spring-cleaning to-do list. High on many people’s priorities is pulling out their mower and beginning the summer-long cycle of mowing their fields or larger lawns. However, the timing of mowing can have significant impacts on a variety of bird species. Small grassland songbirds nest on, or close to, the ground in grassy and shrubby fields. Mowing and bushhogging during the spring and early summer can destroy nests and remove the habitat required to successfully raise their young.  

In New York, the time where ground-nesting birds can be critically impacted by mowing runs from April 23 - August 15. Some recommendations by DEC:

• Delay mowing fields greater than 25 acres until after August 15 to help these species nest successfully.
• Mow as soon as possible after August 15 can help reduce the spread of invasive plants before their seeds spread.
• Also note that mowing later than October 1 can interfere with overwintering birds in fields.

While these larger fields are particularly important for grassland songbirds, even smaller grassy and shrubby openings can contain songbird and wild turkey nests. Landowners should carefully consider when and where they focus their mowing efforts during the spring and summer.  

Although saving mowing until late August means that the spring-cleaning to-do list remains unchecked well into summer, these best management practices can have great benefits for some of our most vulnerable bird species. Across the state, grassland birds have been declining for decades and the timing of mowing can make a huge difference. Save mowing for the end of the summer and enjoy the sight of turkey poults looking for bugs in your fields and hearing the songs of grassland birds floating on the morning air. 

Have a small lawn not suited to grassland nesting birds? Check out these tips to help pollinators or backyard birds.

he Language of Rain: June at The Dodson’s Bird Observatory

Sometimes nature speaks in the rustle of leaves, the chatter of wrens, or the distant call of coyotes at dusk. Other times, it speaks in quieter—but no less powerful—ways. This month, it spoke through rain.

Since installing a new weather station at The Dodson’s Bird Observatory on April 22, 2025, I’ve started keeping a closer eye on what the skies are saying. And this past month, they’ve said quite a lot. According to the station, June brought 8.16 inches of rainfall, bringing the total since installation to 9.43 inches.

One notable rain event dropped 1.53 inches in a single day. That’s the kind of soaking that fills vernal pools, deepens the green of the grass, and triggers a chorus of frogs that hadn’t made a peep in weeks. But it’s also a reminder of how sensitive the landscape can be to sudden changes in water—especially when those changes are fast and heavy.

Walking the trails after these rains, I noticed something subtle: the pollinator meadow was buzzing louder, the grasses were thicker, and birds seemed to be shifting their routines. Swallows skimmed lower to feed on emerging insects. Ground-nesting sparrows kept closer to the brushy edges, wary of the soggy field bottoms.

This is the kind of real-time environmental storytelling that a weather station makes possible. It doesn’t just collect numbers—it connects the dots. From rainfall to runoff, from puddle to pollinator, every inch of precipitation shapes the way this landscape functions. And now, I can watch those patterns unfold with a new level of insight.

As I continue to monitor rainfall, temperature, and other changes here at The Dodson’s Bird Observatory, my hope is to better understand the subtle and not-so-subtle shifts in the rhythm of the land—and share them with you. Because when you listen closely, even a rain gauge can tell a story.

A New Wildflower Blooms—and the Hummingbirds Approve

Something unexpected happened in our yard this spring. A patch of rich, violet-blue wildflowers appeared seemingly overnight—bold, beautiful, and completely unfamiliar. We’d never seen them before, but there they were, rising from the grass like a small, shimmering field.

A closer look revealed their identity: Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans), a hardy groundcover in the mint family. With their low-growing foliage and spires of tiny, tubular blossoms, these flowers quickly made themselves at home. What’s remarkable is how suddenly they arrived. Whether delivered by wind, wildlife, or a dormant seed awakened by just the right conditions, this surprise visitor feels like a small gift from nature.

But the real surprise? The hummingbirds noticed them too.

While Bugleweed is often planted for its ornamental value or erosion control, it's also a quiet favorite of early-season pollinators—including hummingbirds. Their tube-shaped flowers make them a welcome nectar source when few other blossoms are available. Watching a hummingbird dart between these violet towers was all the encouragement we needed: this uninvited guest was here to stay.

Given the enthusiastic reception from our feathered friends, Bugleweed may earn a more permanent role in the habitat plan for the Dodson Bird Observatory. Its ground-hugging nature makes it ideal for filling in open spaces without overwhelming native species. Plus, its early blooms offer vital nourishment during migration and nesting season.

Nature has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. A flower we didn’t plant, showing up in a place we thought we knew, turns out to be a perfect addition to our bird-friendly landscape. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this new arrival—and so will the hummingbirds.

Bird of the Week: White-breasted Nuthatch

 

Photo taken at Dodson Bird Observatory

If you’ve spent much time near a suet feeder in the woods or at the edge of a clearing, chances are you’ve seen this agile little acrobat: the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). This week's featured bird at the Dodson Bird Observatory is a familiar but endlessly fascinating visitor known for its distinctive feeding behavior and quirky charm.

In the photo above, taken on a chilly winter morning, you’ll notice the nuthatch’s signature move—climbing headfirst down a tree (or feeder). This behavior sets them apart from most other songbirds and helps them spot insects and seeds missed by other foragers.

With its bold black cap, crisp white face and underparts, and blue-gray back, the White-breasted Nuthatch is easy to recognize. It’s also one of the more vocal birds in our area, known for its nasal “yank-yank” call, which often echoes through the woods well before the bird is spotted.

At the Dodson Bird Observatory, we find these nuthatches especially fond of suet cakes and sunflower seeds. They’re regulars at our winter feeders and are often seen caching food—wedging sunflower seeds into bark crevices for later retrieval. Watching them work is a reminder of how intelligent and resourceful even small birds can be.

Fun Fact:

Despite their small size, White-breasted Nuthatches can be quite territorial. We've seen them chase off much larger birds—including woodpeckers—when competing for a good perch at the feeder!

Conservation Note:

Fortunately, the White-breasted Nuthatch remains common across much of North America. Still, like many woodland species, it depends on mature forests with a healthy mix of tree species. Protecting and enhancing forest habitat is a simple yet powerful way to support this species and many others.

The Dodson Bird Observatory - Introduction & Plans

 

Conservation Landscape Management Plan

The Dodson Bird Observatory
Waldenmaier Road, Feura Bush, NY 12067

1. Site Overview

The Dodson Bird Observatory, located on Waldenmaier Road, Feura Bush, NY (an eBird Hotspot), consists of several hundred acres of woodlands, pastures, shrublands, and residential landscapes. I own some of the land, but mostly I do not. Some lands are managed for agriculture, while others are corporately owned but offer significant conservation potential. This plan will guide efforts to enhance the land as a demonstration site for Conservation Landscape Management (CLM), providing a real-world example of how landowners can create ecologically valuable landscapes while maintaining practical land use.

2. Management Goals

• Enhance Habitat for Birds & Pollinators: Improve biodiversity by increasing food sources, nesting areas, and shelter.
• Improve Soil & Water Health: Implement sustainable land management practices to prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and promote natural water filtration.
• Demonstrate Conservation Best Practices: Serve as an educational hub to showcase CLM principles for landowners, community members, and conservation professionals.
• Monitor Wildlife Populations: Establish long-term tracking of bird, pollinator, and plant species to measure the impact of conservation actions.
• Reduce Maintenance Costs & Inputs: Minimize reliance on synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and high-maintenance landscaping.

3. Land Use Zones & Proposed Enhancements

A. Woodland Areas (Existing & Enhanced Forest Habitat)

• Promote native tree regeneration by removing invasive species (e.g., multiflora rose, buckthorn).
• Install bird and bat nesting boxes, targeting cavity-nesting species.
• Increase structural diversity with downed logs and brush piles for small mammals and amphibians.
• Maintain forested riparian buffers along water bodies to improve water quality and habitat connectivity.

B. Grasslands & Pasture (Open Habitat & Pollinator Fields)

• Convert select portions of pastureland into wildflower meadows by planting native forbs and grasses.
• Reduce mowing frequency to encourage nesting ground birds (e.g., Eastern Meadowlarks).
• Install interpretive signage highlighting the role of native grasses in carbon sequestration and soil health.
• Rotate livestock grazing, ensuring soil restoration and maintaining diverse plant communities.

C. Shrubland & Edge Habitat (Early Successional Management)

• Maintain and expand shrubby edges with species like dogwood, viburnum, and elderberry to provide food and cover for birds.
• Use selective thinning to create a mosaic of young and mature growth to support a range of wildlife species.
• Introduce seasonal prescribed burns or mechanical clearing to prevent invasive takeover and encourage native shrub growth.

D. Residential & Garden Areas (Demonstration Landscaping)

• Replace non-native ornamental plantings with native, wildlife-supporting species.
• Establish rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff while providing habitat for pollinators.
• Install bird feeding stations with natural food sources (e.g., native berry-producing shrubs) rather than artificial feeders.
• Use composting and organic mulching to build soil health without synthetic inputs.
• Create a pollinator pathway connecting different habitats on-site. 

4. Specific Conservation Actions

Action	Purpose	Timeline
Remove invasive species	Improve native plant growth & habitat	Ongoing
Plant wildflower meadows	Support pollinators & ground-nesting birds	Spring 2025
Install nest boxes for birds & bats	Enhance breeding success	Fall 2024
Create brush piles	Provide shelter for small mammals & amphibians	Winter 2024
Establish rain gardens	Improve stormwater management	Spring 2025
Reduce mowing in designated areas	Support insect populations & soil health	Immediate & Ongoing
Conduct bird population surveys	Track changes in habitat use	Seasonal
Host educational workshops	Engage community in conservation	2025 & Beyond

 5. Monitoring & Education Strategies

• Seasonal Wildlife Monitoring: Establish fixed monitoring sites for bird counts, butterfly surveys, and plant inventories.
• Citizen Science Participation: Encourage local birdwatchers and conservationists to contribute data through apps like eBird and iNaturalist.
• Interpretive Signage: Install educational signs highlighting key conservation practices on-site.
• Community Outreach & Workshops: Host guided walks, native plant giveaways, and conservation landscape training sessions.
• Digital Documentation: Regularly update The Nature of Things blog and YouTube channel with progress reports, video demonstrations, and before/after results.

6. Long-Term Maintenance Plan

• Annual Habitat Assessments: Adjust management strategies based on observed ecological changes.
• Native Plant & Tree Maintenance: Replace plantings as needed, ensuring the continued presence of critical species.
• Controlled Disturbance Cycles: Use prescribed fire, rotational mowing, and selective cutting to maintain habitat balance.
• Soil & Water Testing: Conduct periodic assessments to track improvements in soil structure and water quality.
• Funding & Partnerships: Explore grants and collaboration with conservation organizations to sustain long-term management efforts.

Conclusion

The Dodson Bird Observatory serves as a living laboratory for Conservation Landscape Management, demonstrating how ecological stewardship can be integrated with private land ownership. By implementing and refining these practices on-site, this project will provide an educational resource and proof of concept for landowners seeking to adopt similar conservation approaches. Through ongoing monitoring, outreach, and adaptive management, the site will not only support local biodiversity but also inspire broader conservation efforts in Feura Bush and beyond.