#understorey

[tenth-sentence]

So in peak fire seasons these eucalypts drop a bark-fuel load adjusted to their size, thus encouraging fire while regulating its speed and intensity and removing competing understorey.

"Country: Future Fire, Future Farming" - Bill Gammage and Bruce Pascoe

[judgingbooksbycovers]

Understorey: A Year Among Weeds

By Anna Chapman Parker.

[skrubu]

Multiple Nature 437 by Pekka Nikrus

[davidtngbotany]

Mackinlaya confusa (Apiaceae)

How hard is it to tell the difference between a carrot and a ginseng? That was a rhetorical question. Still, it is one of those questions to ask particularly when it comes to Mackinlaya confusa. Mackinlaya is a small genus of shrubs with 2 species in the region, and for quite a while they were considered to be under the Ginseng family (i.e. the Araliaceae). Both families are similar in their…

[fozmeadows]

hi! sorry if you've already answered this, but i absolutely adore your tithenai chronicles, and was wondering if you had any favorite queer books to recommend/suggestions for what a fan of your work should read next :) before inevitably restarting my strange and stubborn endurance audiobook again <3 thank you!

Ahh, thank you so much! Regarding book recommendations, two of my all-time favourites are The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (along with the spin-off novella trilogy, The Cemeteries of Amalo, which consists of The Witness for the Dead, The Grief of Stones and the forthcoming The Tomb of Dragons), and The Books of the Raksura series by Martha Wells (which consists of seven books total: a trilogy, two short story anthologies, and then a final duology). However, I'd also like to recommend some works by authors that are less well-known than Addison and Wells, so! In no particular order:

The Bone Universe trilogy (Updraft, Cloudbound and Horizon) by Fran Wilde;

The Broken Trust quadrilogy (Mazes of Power, Transgressions of Power, Inheritors of Power and a still forthcoming title) by Juliette Wade;

The Titan's Forest trilogy (Crossroads of Canopy, Echoes of Understorey and Tides of the Titans) by Thoraiya Dyer; and

The Ascendant trilogy (The Tiger's Daughter, The Phoenix Empress and The Warrior Moon) by K. Arsenault Rivera. Happy reading! :D

[notwiselybuttoowell]

An "extinction crisis" is happening in Britain's temperate rainforests where some of the world's rarest mosses, lichens and liverworts are vanishing, ecologists have warned.

Also known as Celtic rainforests, temperate rainforests are found primarily along the UK's western coasts.

A survey of Welsh rainforests in 2024 found only 22% were in a good condition due to pollution, fragmentation and invasive species.

"When this tree came down, in a flash we lost a species," said ecologist Sabine Nouvet about a 500-year-old oak in Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, which fell during Storm Darragh in December.

The tree was home to one of the UK's best known populations of a rare lichen, the loss of which was "symbolic of the species crisis, the extinction crisis, that we are facing now", said Ms Nouvet.

Ms Nouvet, a rainforest advisor with Plantlife, a member of the Alliance for Wales' Rainforests, said the fallen tree's bark was once home to more than 60 types of lichen.

The rarest was the minuscule rinodina isidioides - its tiny structures, when seen through a hand lens, resemble its common name, skeletal fingers.

It lives only on trees at least 300 years old and in conditions found exclusively in the rain-soaked valleys of western Ireland and Britain.

Temperate rainforests occur on less than 1% of the planet's surface and Wales has internationally important examples of the habitat.

The special habitat's twisted branches, dappled light and moss-covered understorey once covered much of the country, but is now only found in isolated areas including the Woodland Trust's Coed Felenrhyd near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.

There is about 33,024 hectares, or 46,000 football pitches, of rainforest left in Wales.

Storms are just one of the threats to ancient woodlands such as Coed Felenrhyd which, according to the State of Wales Rainforest report, cover just 4.3% of country's rainforest landscape.

Much of this rainforest lacks connectivity to similar habitats because it is surrounded by farms or woodlands planted with non-native species.

Some are grazed inappropriately, the survey said, and many are affected by rhododendrons that smother the forest floor in a dense shade that native species cannot tolerate.

Wales has a global responsibility to protect the Celtic rainforest, said Plantlife's Adam Thorogood.

"We've got a really unique situation here in Wales where we've got some vital areas of habitat, a type of rainforest we don't really find anywhere else on Earth.

"People don't even realise that we have temperate rainforest here... right on your doorstep.

"It's there to be explored, there to be enjoyed, and there's a huge diversity of species of plant but also other flora and fauna."

He said interest from the public in the Celtic rainforest was coming at a time when it was under enormous pressure and significant investment was needed to secure its future.

[dromaeosaurid]

"Gymnosperm giants, inlcuding primitive conifers, ginkgoes, and cycads dominated the Jurassic landscape. The small dinosaur, Ornitholestes walks under a canopy of Brachyphyllum branches, past a cluster of stately cycads and a grove of shimmering ginkgoes. Herbaceous lycopods and ferns, contribute to the understorey of plants."

From Dinosaurs: A Global View (1990) by Sylvia J. Czerkas & Stephen A. Czerkas. Illustrated by Douglas Henderson, Mark Hallett, John Sibbick.

[emmathefanficgal]

linguistic question...

Can someone help me with those words:

underbrush

understorey

underwood

in french it's "sous-bois". I want to speak about a place not yet in the forest, with light but a few trees. Close to a meadow.

Thanks! (it's for a fic - a short one)

[bonefall]

i believe a while back you mentioned that certain trees benefit from being cut but i cannot find the post? could you elaborate on that bc im Fascinated (curious eyes emoji)

That's coppicing! Funny you mention it actually, the next biome research post I'm gonna make (in the style of the moorland one) is British forests. It's not only good for an individual tree, coppiced woodland is like moorland in that it's an anthropogenic area that becomes extremely important for several animals. Butterflies, bluebells, nightjars...

But I'm getting ahead of myself. To coppice a tree, you cut it down to its stem, and then allow it to sprout back for a number of years. The length of time depends on the species and purpose you want the wood for. You can make perfect, straight poles for tools, beams for construction, bundles for firewood...

A coppiced tree does not die of old age. They can live forever, and produce wood for GENERATIONS. No need to clean-cut and devastate a woodland!

What's good about coppiced woodland is that it leaves the canopy clear. Clear canopy = sexy, sexy understorey. Lots of sunlight comes through which allows the growth of low-laying plants and berry bushes, lots of places for animals to eat and hide.

Downside tho is that if you don't come back and manage your beautifully coppiced grove, you will end up with a thick canopy of trees all the same age, blocking out the sun. That's bad. You're gonna see a recurring theme in all of this research that a TON of biomes in the UK REQUIRE human management and have really been suffering without proper stewardship.

Basically, coppicing without ongoing human management just results in a plantation (derogatory) with extra steps.

Lake cats did a lot more coppicing than modern Clan cats. Modern Clan cats don't really have the tools to cut hard trees like beech and hornbeam; they can only manage softer, thinner ones like birch and alder with their claws and stone tools. It's a lost art.

[not-poignant]

Daily excerpt from chapter 76 of Underline the Black:

'Am I going to fuck you?' Gary said, placing a piece of cheese onto a cracker like it had to be in exactly the right place. 'Yes.'  ‘So you…think the scar tissue can handle it?’ 'Yes,’ Gary said. ‘I’ll be careful, of course, but yes.’ 'Will you do it soon?' 'Look, Temsen will probably murder me if I do it before the echocardiogram, and I've had enough of his judgemental ire for the week. So likely soon, but not for a few more days. Not until we know the results.'  'Okay,' Efnisien said. 'Are you going to make me unconscious every time?' Gary ate and looked out into the karri forest, then pointed at a group of shadows until Efnisien saw the shapes resolve into kangaroos in the understorey. Efnisien gazed at them. They looked so soft.  'Probably,' Gary said. 'Your stamina is very low. The fact that two orgasms knocked you out... It might be that you get used to it over time, but I suspect in the beginning it's going to be a bit different for the both of us. For a start, I can't simply bulldoze you like I normally would.' 'That wasn't- You weren't- That wasn't bulldozing?'

[syoddeye]

that anon has impeccable timing. i'm reading underland, and i spent a lot of time on chapter 4, the understorey, reading and re-reading about fungi. mushrooms are on my mind and you could say they've taken root.....

[sunflowergem]

Lucky Clover the Hedgehog

Skin/Scale/Feather/Fur/Carapace Color: Green

Eye Color: Gold

Height: Medium

Life Phase: Teen/Charm age

Age: 147,420 Stratum cycles

Birth Layer: Understorey

Casting Medium: Vocal (audio frequency manipulation) and linguistic

Skills: Vocal control, lyric writing, cook/baking, caligraphy

Charm Shape: Red heart gold border(inherited)

Eye Cover: Gold rounded cat eye frame glasses

Color Scheme: Green, gold/yellow, red

Attire: Gold glasses, green sleeveless minidress, green vest with white trim and gold zipper, gold belt, Charm on belt as a buckle, white gloves, white socks, golden leather maryjane style shoes. Can also use magic to summon the skating gear (hand, elbow, and knee guards in green with round gold protectors each with a clover in the middle, tri-wheeled inline skates with multicolor stripes including one in purple and one in orange and cutouts in the shapes of clover, spade, and diamond above the wheels), speakers (green cylinders with gold outlining the rims and a clover decal on the middle of each end), and microphone (green foam pop filter and gold body) independently of each other to layer over her usual outfit.

Job: Music artist

Hobbies: Writing lyrics, reading, baking, guitar, Inline skating

Relationships: Heart the Hedgehog (mother), Star the Hedgehog (father), Joker the Hedgehog (younger brother)

Likes: Jasmine tea, documentaries, sunbathing

Dislikes: cold weather, the dark

Personality: Clover is a bubbly but personally aloof socialite. She’s definitely the biggest extrovert in her social circle. She can rarely be found without a smile on her face and friendly banter loaded in. She’ll often casually flirt in interactions but is never serious about it. She enjoys lightly teasing but the moment she realizes she’s gone too far she’ll get quite awkward and run away. To avoid going too far she will keep most interactions shallow with those she isn’t super close with. This does make here a master of small talk and can come off as friendly without one learning much about her. The art of linguistic manipulation is a well honed skill. Clover is extremely adept at analyzing vocal and written information and will use that to her advantage. She's also a lot more well read than most might assume. Information about herself is kept more tightly guarded until she trusts someone and that can take a long time. She much more prefers to keep the conversation surface level or on the other person in the conversation. These conversation preferences make her easy to talk to and allows her to learn a lot about other people without them realizing most times. In interviews she’s a master at deflecting things she doesn’t or can’t (nondisclosure agreements and such on new projects) discuss.

Clover also has a habit of overstretching herself. She loves helping others and if she feels like she has the abilities to help with a problem she’ll volunteer to help without thinking and if she’s asked to help she definitely won’t say no. This has lead to her double booking her schedule before and, until she learns to stay out of other's business or say no, probably will continue to cause here trouble in the future.

Despite her prolific social skills Clover is quite an airhead and easily distracted, so she's not the best leader outside of conversations. This distractedness can be at a detriment to herself. It’s not uncommon for her to wipeout on her roller-blades because she is deep in thought.

First Appearance: Sonic Adventure

Voice claim: Tara Strong

Bonus quill down version :p

[botanyone]

The Colour of Your Autumn Forest Depends on How Bosky It Is

The Colour of Your Autumn Forest Depends on How Bosky It Is https://ift.tt/TUI7XcJ It might seem obvious that it’s the changing season that triggers the shift in leaf colour in forests, but new research in Nature Climate Change shows that it’s a bit more complicated. Wu and colleagues studied sites in China and the USA using satellite images, laser scanning technology, and temperature sensors to study autumn leaf changes. They found that denser forests with taller trees showed different timing in leaf colour changes compared to more open forests. It’s not just an aesthetic matter. The timing of leaf changes affects how effectively they can capture carbon. Wu and colleagues found that autumn came later to denser forests. Part of this is due to forests creating an environment, with denser forests creating more stable temperatures and reduced light levels for trees growing underneath. Light was particularly important with light levels having a stronger effect on when leaves started changing colour than temperature differences. This means that understorey trees are affected the most by forest structure. The data came from satellite images, that could track the colour of forests on an almost daily basis. They combined this with airborne laser scanning to calculate the forest height and density. Finally, temperature sensors were placed at different heights in the forests to measure how forest structure affected local climate. All put together this allowed them to track what changed when autumn came. Wu and colleagues see their work as a companion to work on spring phenology where people track leaf-out and the greening of the forest. Autumn, they argue is less studied. People know that temperature and day length matter, but Wu and colleagues were also looking to explain local variations. Understanding these variations could help plug gaps in future climate models. Wu, X., Niu, C., Liu, X., Hu, T., Feng, Y., Zhao, Y., Liu, S., Liu, Z., Dai, G., Zhang, Y., Van Meerbeek, K., Wu, J., Liu, L., Guo, Q., & Su, Y. (2024). Canopy structure regulates autumn phenology by mediating the microclimate in temperate forests. Nature Climate Change. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-024-02164-2 Read free with Read Cube: https://rdcu.be/dX7tQ  Cross-posted to Bluesky, Mastodon & Threads. The post The Colour of Your Autumn Forest Depends on How Bosky It Is appeared first on Botany One. via Botany One https://botany.one/ October 25, 2024 at 08:30PM

[drhoz]

#2255 - Triquetrella papillata - Common Twine-moss

AKA Zygodon scaber, Zygodon preissii, Zygodon preissianus, Triquetrella scabra, Triquetrella filiformis, Leskea rubricaulis and Didymodon papillatus. Also known as Sproing Moss, because the leaves immeadiately spring back into a reflexed position when wetted.

The place we stayed at in Taupo had geothermal hot tubs attached to each room, that tapped into the scaldingly hot stream that runs streaming into the lake on the other side of the road. Swimming in that part of the lake can be something of an adventure.

This moss was growing on the footbridge over the stream, and despite the steam coming off the water was looking a little shrivelled. But then it does well in dry areas and is common in Australia and New Zealand where there is a dry, grassy understorey. It can form extensive mats in shade, but is most often found in open colonies creeping through the grass.

Taupo, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

[birdzflycom]

10 Ways to Prevent Bluebird Predators

Bluebird Predators Bluebirds sit well in ecosystems; they help control insects and pollinators. Wildlife in the region is found in meadows, plains, and forests, but insists on tree cavities or man-made structures known as nest boxes to reproduce. This has decreased the population density of bluebirds, so they are easily being affected by habitat-related problems as they require natural help from man. Who can argue with the importance of bluebirds and their habitat? Predators present another threat, particularly ones that pounce on nesting boxes. Here is an extensive guide detailing ten steps to keep bluebirds safe from predators in this article.

Overview Of Predators

PSTs are also a relatively common hairpin on the calendar and posed the greatest threat during the nesting period when they are hunting for the nest, eggs, chicks, or adult birds. Bluebirds are at risk because so many predators seek out nesting boxes. Many predators are searching for nesting boxes and many predators. They require thoughtful examination to determine concerns that could threaten their continued existence.

Types Of Predators

Your reality, as a bluebird, is a dangerous form of animals that can operate certain conducts and possibilities. Predators in that order, are mammals, reptiles, avians, and to a lesser extent some larger animals like bears. Common Predators (e.g., raccoons, snakes, opossums) Raccoons: those non-specialised birds that scavenge for disparate food sources, including animals that hunt arboreally and forage for understorey (including predator-strike specialists and acrobatic climbers, as well as those that opportunistically feed on eggs and chicks). These snakes: The ones who curl up in a nest, creeping up a pole or a tree. Opossums: Famous for their ability to "play dead," they also help control pest populations. Squirrels and Chipmunks: Squirrels can sometimes demolish nests looking for food. Cats: Predators include feral domestic cats, which will take adult bluebirds, fledglings, and nestlings. But the bluebirds, wily little creatures that they are, will attack several predators well known in the open country, such as hawks and owls. Bears: They are less common, but they have been known to flip nests over or take apart nesting boxes to reach the food.

The features and profiles of each predator

Raccoons: These clever avians possess sufficient grasping talents to tug the rope to excuse the unsecured nest boxes’ doors. Snakes: Snakes are smooth and buggy so if they can glide across a smooth surface they may be very hard to find at times. Opossums: A slow-moving one, forever the food-search carrier. The squirrels and the chipmunks: An herbivore animal Movies destroy dumb materials on order to get to the their nest. Cats: Sneak assailants that use their claws and teeth to hurt people. Birds of Prey: For having keen eyesight and ripping into food in birds. Bears: Force is used to open or pry open nests.

SECTION TWO: NEST BOX PROTECTION MEASURES

Bluebird nest box protectors around raccoons and snakes with baffles or cone-shaped barriers. Outdoors, to seal boxes on metallic stands for Christmas tree, discourage climbing predators. Check for any damage, and the boxes must be sited away from a densely planted area in order to provide better safety. Nest Box Installation Attach bluebird nesting boxes to sturdy posts at least 4-6 feet above the ground—locate boxes in open spaces at least 300 feet away from dense shrubbery to deter predators. Use predator guards like baffles for additional protection. This gives your hens a safe and welcoming nesting area with proper airflow and drainage while also ideal positioning ( East facing).

Rules on Plumage and Nesting Box Placement

Predators do not tend to look into open areas with very little vegetation growth as this acts as cover for the nesters. The boxes should be mounted at least 5-7 feet so that the ground predator does not reach them. You may not pile boxes up against fences, trees, or other objects that a predator might climb to reach the pile. Install With Durable Materials Such As Metal Poles You should also make nest boxes out of cedarwood, PVC, or metal because these materials are more tolerant of nature’s extremes. Avoid using loose material that predators can reach by breaking the enclosure, as this will compromise the material. Screws and latches are better than nails, to avoid kids or criminal fingers easily opening the drawers.

Using Baffle Guards

This is the purpose and design of baffle guards. They are cylindrical or conic devices affixed to poles for preventing feral, climbers like racoons and snakes. They make a form of cover the predator cannot reach or has to reverse in order to achieve an ideal angle to catch the target.

Suggested Dimensions And Materials

For cylindrical baffles: It encompasses and measures roughly 18 inches across and 24 inches in length. For cone-type baffles: Divide 20 inches for the base diameter. Use the material like a galvanized metal or PVC so that it can be easy to clean. Tips On Installation And Maintenance For best results, shape the baffles around smooth metal poles. Mount the baffle four feet or more above the ground so that an aerial-invaded predator cannot just leap over it easily. Baffles should be regularly checked and cleaned to keep working as they are designed to.

Squirrel-Proof Guards

Squirrel-proof guards that employ baffles and cages allow bluebirds to use feeders unimpeded by squirrels. They can also guard seed and suet supplies, reduce waste and protect feeders from damage. Ideal for bluebird lovers, these feeders give them a protected place to eat, adding to the fun of watching these vibrant birds.

Why Use Squirrel-Proof Guards And How They Work

Thus, they can eat without the guards bothering them because the bird feeders have squirrel-proof guards. The most commonly used guards work by installing cages or baffles to keep squirrels from racing or climbing to the feeder. They can even serve as a home for birds and mammals who claim the snubs and reduce the amount of food that would go to waste — and if that isn’t enough, keep squirrels from raiding the main feed station. In other words, however they also make a bird watching extra fun when feeding Birds as well as at the exact same time increase the lifespan of feeders for Birdseye ensuring these are safeguarded against Squirrels.

APPROPRIATE SCENARIOS AND INSTALLATION METHODS

For the areas with trees or shrubs, some squirrels and chipmunks could be helpful. Fit nesting boxes put up on wood or metal posts. Dip the guards in glue and press them inside under the nesting box. These should be spring-loaded and drop down when predators approach and climb the tree. Chapter 3: Specialized Protection from Various Predators In order to manage the presence of predators in a manner most beneficial toward growing the population of bluebirds, it is also important to know which of the extremes is the primary concern. Yet, all kinds of predator possess specific behaviors and attributes which must be dealt with separately. Then, each of these animals: raccoons, snakes, opossums, squirrels, cats, birds of prey, and bears are discussed in detail about their management in the following sections.

Raccoons

Raccoons are the number one threat to bluebirds. Intelligent, mobile, and achy all over, they get sick from badly built nesting boxes. They typically target eggs or soft chicks at night because when it gets dark, many birds are least active. Level Of Threat From Raccoons Raccoons are significant dangers to bluebirds, especially their eggs and young because raccoons are nighttime hunters. They are known for their ability to climb poles as well as get into nesting boxes that have poor or no protection. Some basic controls are barriers and predator-exclusion cages. Protective Recommendations: Site rocks or homemade nest boxes on smooth metal poles, raccoons can’t overcome. Keep your laying hens from laying eggs in a way that can be prevented from washing them with baffle guards that protect the egg from getting into the nest box. Secure Nesting Boxes And Baffle Guards Are Important Raccoon deterrents are very important so proper housing, the locking up of nesting boxes and the withholding of power are three essentials. They can figure out how to open doors, but one made of solid reinforced steel material with tight-fitting latches will also slow them down. In fact, smooth metal baffles, are quite possibly the best of all guards, which is what this version uses.

Snakes

They are solitary and nocturnal and able to climb poles and trees to access the nesting boxes. They eat eggs and young ones, and can be quite a nuisance — especially during breeding season. Stealthiness Of Snakes Due to their silent and sleek bites, snakes can come towards their prey without being seen. Disguised scales blend smoothly into the environment to conceal themselves. They have sharper senses that help increase hunting accuracy, including heat that allows them to target prey. Protective Strategies Use predator guards on nest boxes. If you have to make nest boxes ensure they are at a distance on poles. Regularly inspect and maintain breeding sites for safety. Baffle Guards Recommended Dimensions If you want to discourage snakes, use cylindrical baffles: Diameter: At least 4 inches. Length: Minimum of 36 inches. Shiny glazed surface: high gloss finish or equally less slippery exterior than PVC hull — galvanized metal — difficult to get a grip. Additional Tips: Look for any vegetation or other structures near nesting boxes that may enable climbing. Any openings or gaps that provide access from the inside of the nest box are seen fit to be blocked off otherwise the snakes will settle in the nest pan.

Opossums

While raccoons are primarily crepuscular, they are opportunistic feeders. Yes, they are better climbers but may go into nesting boxes if they are close to trees or poles. Characteristics Of Opossums Opossums are nocturnal marsupials known for their adaptability in the face of adversity. They have prehensile tails for climbing, sharp claws and opposable thumbs. They are omnivorous scavengers and consume everything from fruits to insects. Protection Measures: Consequently, nocturnal predators scare away birds, so they must set up motion-activated lights near nesting boxes. These assistive devices should be placed high enough that tree branches can’t offer the opossum a runway approach. A metal-paw print door will not break if the door is forced open. Nest Boxes Security Tips For added protection: Use the metal sheet to reinforce the roof and walls of the nest box. Fit the box so that it won’t turn and tightly fasten it at pole or some other systemic structure.

Squirrels And Chipmunks

The former are climbers, climbing high to reach nesting boxes or structures, a trait of chipmunks. They’re primarily concerned with food issues, but will occasionally threaten bluebirds or their nests. The by Robert Dunn, What squirrels Can Teach Us About the World Squirrels are good climbers that use their sharp claws to hold on to tree bark. They can scale upwards on vertical surfaces like slick tree trunks and posts. Their long, fluffy tails provide balance while traversing tall trees or narrow spaces. Protective Advice ен poles with cubic or cone-shaped or spring-mounted feeders. Smear non-toxic grease or petroleum jelly on poles to make them slippery to the touch. Get rid of overhanging trees and shrubs nearby, which can act as a bridge to the pests crossing into the planting area. Guidelines for Selecting Appropriate Guards to Prevent Effective Guard Types Here are Cone Guards: Placed under the nest cluster to stop climbing. Spring-loaded Guards: They go down when pressure is applied, creating a loud noise, which frightens the predator. To reassure roaming beasts don't leap over, the guards should be mounted at least 48 inches off the ground.

Cats

With cats, both domestic and feral, being such ideal hunters, they pose a serious threat to bluebirds. It can grab adult birds and fledglings or raid nesting boxes for eggs or young ones. Cats, for example, use strategies of secrecy, delay, and won't spring until they can catch them. The Threat Of Domestic Cats & How They Hunt Stealth Moves: Cats stalk and hunt prey silently by slowly moving and touching the ground lightly so they don’t attract attention. Super Strong Nails and Teeth: Having hard claws and sharp teeth that are useful for catching and killing. Sharp Senses: Better vision, hearing, and sense of smell helps them in hunting. Cat Attackers: Hunting by domestic felines is one of the greatest threats to bird species, killing both adult and young birds while resulting in increased mortality. They are efficient predators: Cats have an intrinsic hunting instinct and will hunt even when not hungry. Birds obviously need proper nesting materials, you can read up on what birds need to build their nest. Placement: Nest boxes should be a minimum of 7 ft high on poles and not too close to fences (4–7 ft) where cats such as feral cats can easily go. Pole Changes: Spike out or place spinners on poles cats cannot access to do the same. Yard Management: Don’t pile large or bushy structures where cats can use to avoid the birds or for breeding. Additional Tips: Remind neighbors to keep their cats in during bluebird nesting season. A motion-activated sprinklers will also help keep cats away from wandering the garden. Prevent Bluebird Predators

Birds Of Prey

As natural enemies, hawks and owls are prime targets for bluebirds. They depend on keen sight to snatch air-borne birds or dive on nests and young ones to snatch them. Read the full article

[bonefall]

If skyclan lives in trees and their thing is trees, do you think they train the tree branches to create pathways kind of like how windclan has tunnels? Like if you were a skyclan cat could you cross the entire territory without ever once touching the ground? Do they plant trees to extend their network? Would they train vines and branches to make platforms or would they also build platforms themselves using already cut branches or a combination? Would they have hammocks?

In the past, probably.

Their patch of the White Hart, prior to the 1970s when it was deforested for suburban expansion and a sitka plantation, was old growth oak. It was beautiful. The trees were ancient, sprawling, with less than a foot between their branches.

There wasn't a need to plant trees. An oak takes a very, very long time to get as tall as the titans that used to make up SkyClan's woods. Mostly what they'd do is create platforms where the gaps were too far to leap, and take note of any dying branches so there were no accidental falls.

The major reason why they lurked in the trees was because the tight canopy could prevent sunlight from reaching the ground, preventing there from being a thick understorey. Boar sounders also spent a lot of time in their neck of the woods, shuffling around for acorns.

...but it's all gone now, logged and shipped off for lumber. Modern SkyClan has lost many of these arts, having been displaced from such mature forests long ago. There's very few places like that in the entire UK these days. At the Lake, ThunderClan is the only group with any access to old-growth.