The Bees Will Not Be Happy

It was their favorite tree, but it had to go

This flowering cherry has been in our front yard every since we moved here. Each spring it would bloom profusely much to the delight of the local bees. With the tree and its blooms on their mind, they were fairly oblivious to anything else. Unfortunately, the tree itself was near the end of its lifespan. The first few years were great, but lately, it has not been putting on as much of a show. There are several other old cherries in the neighborhood and they have also been declining as of late.

The other problem with the tree is some damage to the trunk. Every year it seems to tip over just a little bit more. It is getting very difficult to mow under (a self propelled walk behind seems to be the only efficient way).

Last summer it lost it leaves very early, long before fall so we knew that its days were numbered. Early this spring, we had it cut down but plan to find a new flowering tree of some variety to take its place (and make the bees happy again).

Spring Bathing

Another sign of Spring is an increase in bathing

While there are some birds, like Bluebirds, which will take a bath any time the water is not ice, Spring usually brings with it an increase in the number of birds bathing in our birdbaths. Of our two birdbaths, this concrete bath is far more popular than our larger green plastic bath. We think that it is because the other bath has steeper edges. The more gradual concrete slope may feel safer for smaller birds (like the out of focus chipping sparrow) worried about getting in too deep.

And no, despite appearances, the Cardinal is not trying to drown itself. Though sometimes the bather has a great deal of difficulty taking off.And here is the greatest threat to the water in our birdbaths, the Brown Splasher (Brown Thrasher).