Article by Erin Weeks. Published in The Aiken Standard on July 8, 2023

https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/news/local/program-offers-tips-on-bird-identification-at-hopelands-gardens/article_10b35176-1cf4-11ee-a579-7bfddfaa2939.html

Nature lovers gathered at the Hopelands Gardens guest cottage on Friday morning for a lecture on identifying birds by their sounds. The event, part of an educational series organized by the Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch, featured speaker Jay Keck, industry habitat manager for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.

“There’s a language of birds, and they’ll tell you a lot,” said Keck about the benefits of learning to recognize bird calls. “When you hear certain birds, it can tell you things about the landscape.” Keck’s lecture emphasized birds that are in decline and what people can do to help them thrive.

“There’s a language of birds, and they’ll tell you a lot,” said Keck about the benefits of learning to recognize bird calls. “When you hear certain birds, it can tell you things about the landscape.” Keck’s lecture emphasized birds that are in decline and what people can do to help them thrive.

According to Keck, getting people interested in nature and encouraging them to help preserve it is the ultimate aim of SCWF. “One of our biggest goals is just to kind of connect people to our planet because if they’re connected, they’ll care about it. Which makes them automatically conservationists,” he said.

So how can we help the birds? According to Keck, it’s important to plant and preserve native plants, which have natural chemicals that attract necessary insects. This then attracts birds, reptiles and amphibians, creating healthy environments for them. “More and more nurseries are actually selling [native plants] because folks are starting to get it. Even big box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot are starting to sprinkle in some native plants,” he said.

The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch will host two more presentations on July 14 and 28. Both will feature Keck and will conclude the group’s educational events for the summer season.

The July 14 event will discuss ways to attract caterpillars, butterflies, moths and birds to your yard.

The July 28 presentation will provide tips on how to garden with native plants and for create habitats that benefit wildlife.

To pre-register for these events, visit hopelandsgardens.com.