4 Ways to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

Happy fall, y’all! Here in the Northern Hemisphere, today (September 22nd) is the autumn equinox, which officially marks the start of fall.

The autumn and spring equinoxes are the only times of year when the Earth is not tilting towards or away from the sun - which means we get an (almost) equal amount of day and night! In many traditional cultures, the equinox also coincides with the start of the fall harvest. This makes it a perfect day to practice gratitude, celebrate the balance found in natural ecosystems, and deepen our connection to nature and each other.

Need some ideas for welcoming autumn? You’ll “fall” in love with these 4 easy ways to celebrate the equinox:

1. Cook a meal with seasonal veggies

Pumpkin, apples, sweet potatoes… Like Pepper the Virginia opossum (above), we can’t get enough of fall vegetables! Take advantage of this season’s bounty by challenging yourself to cook with fresh produce currently in season. You can even try your hand at foraging wild edible plants to include in your creations.

Better yet, invite your friends and family to a potluck harvest dinner. Bonus points if it ends with s’mores around a campfire!

2. Commit to making your yard an autumn haven for wildlife

We recently shared some of our favorite ways to support birds during fall migration - but our non-migratory wild neighbors need help, too! Help provide food and shelter for native wildlife by leaving dead plants, leaf litter, and flowering plants’ seed heads instead of removing them. You have our permission to get lazy with your yardwork!

Did you know that fall is an ideal time to plant perennials, especially here in NC? Planting in early autumn gives plants a couple months of warm soil temperatures to get established before going dormant for winter. If you’re trying to include more native plants in your garden (and you should!), this is a great time to get started.

3. Start a gratitude practice

Who says you have to wait for Thanksgiving to be thankful? At PWC, our staff members begin every meeting by sharing one thing we’re grateful for. Start your own gratitude practice by taking time every day to reflect on the positive things, people, animals, and experiences in your life.

Need extra motivation? Research suggests that practicing gratitude is associated with higher levels of happiness, better resilience, and even improved health.

4. Spend time connecting with nature

It may be 95 F here in Durham today - but cooler weather is coming! Between migrating birds, colorful leaves, and milder temperatures, fall is the perfect time to enjoy nature. Plan an outing to your favorite park or wild place this weekend. Then visit again later in the fall, and see how things have changed!

Looking for a more structured way to connect with nature and wildlife? Break out your camera, sketchbook, or paint for Wild Canvas next Thursday, September 29th, where you can meet your favorite Ambassador Animals up close and practice your art while learning about native NC wildlife. Or sign up for one of our autumn Birds of Prey Tours on September 26th, October 5th, or November 8th!

However you celebrate the start of fall, we hope the new season “leaves” you with lots of warm memories and a deepened connection to nature. Happy autumn equinox from your friends at PWC!

This fall migration, be a good bird neighbor

They’re coming this way… migrating birds, that is!

Fall migration is in full swing in many parts of the United States. Here in North Carolina, we’re already starting to see migratory birds flying through as they head to their winter destinations. Be a good bird neighbor this fall by following these 3 tips:

#1: Lights out for migration

Did you know many songbirds migrate at night? These travelers use the stars to keep themselves on course. Light pollution from towns and cities can disorient them and even lead to fatal collisions with buildings.

Luckily, you can help! Participate in Audubon’s #LightsOut initiative by keeping your curtains/blinds closed at night and turning off unnecessary lights (especially upward-facing outdoor lights) at your home and office from September 10-November 30.

#2: Window decals prevent collisions

Windows make great bird-watching spots, but they can be deadly for birds. More than 100 million birds die each year after flying into glass, which they have difficulty seeing. Help keep them safe by sticking decals on your windows, no more than 2-4 inches apart. (Great excuse to put up some early holiday decorations!) You can also buy or make decals, films, tapes, and UV stickers specifically designed to deter birds.

Hate washing your windows? Good news: Dirty windows will do the trick, too!

#3: Learn about bird migration in your area

Fall and spring migrations are a great excuse to get into birding – and a great opportunity to see rare birds! Now through November 15th, use Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s BirdCast to see which birds are migrating through your area right now. Then break out your binoculars and head to your favorite outdoor spot to meet your town’s avian visitors!

Many local Audubon Societies and birding clubs will hold special field trips and meetups during migration season. This month in North Carolina, Audubon Society chapters are holding outdoor “watch parties” to view migrating chimney swifts’ incredible aerial displays. Here in Durham, you can join New Hope Audubon next Tuesday, Sept. 20th from 7-8:30 PM at the Durham Hotel to watch these incredible birds. View other “Swift Nights Out” across North Carolina here!

So turn out those lights, make those windows visible, and welcome our far-flung feathered friends this fall!

Meet Pickles the Virginia opossum

Please give a warm Piedmont welcome to our newest Ambassador Animal, Pickles the Virginia opossum!

Pickles came to us from Our Wild Neighbors in August. She was found as an orphan this spring, possibly after falling off her mom's back and being left behind. (No judgment, opossum moms - sometimes it happens when you have 13 babies at once!)

The rehabbers at OWN noticed Pickles's right forelimb looked a little unusual. After a vet visit, it was discovered that one of her growth plates had been crushed, probably due to a predator attack as an infant. Growth plates are special tissue found at the end of bones in young mammals (including humans!) that allow them to grow, and injuries to that tissue can cause bones to grow incorrectly.

Because of her injury, Pickles could not be released into the wild. While she can walk and climb well, she would not be able to travel long distances to find food and avoid predators. Instead, she's found a home here at PWC, where she's perfecting her favorite form of transportation: riding on staff members' shoulders!

Thanks to her calm, curious temperament and comfort being handled by humans, we think Pickles is going to make a fantastic Ambassador for her species at birthday parties, animal encounters, and school programs. Welcome to the family, Pickles!

Want to receive updates from Pickles as she grows up - and learn more about opossums? Pickles is now available to sponsor through our Adopt-An-Ambassador program! Sponsorship options start at $25.

4 Ways to Help Pollinators this National Pollinator Week

June 20-26 is National Pollinator Week! Pollinators are animals that help plants reproduce by carrying pollen from one flower to another. These hard-working critters play an important role both in nature and in farming, and are the reason we’re able to enjoy many of our favorite fruits!

Unfortunately, many pollinator species are under threat from pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. This week, we invite you to think outside the hive and take steps to protect these important animals. Here are 4 of our favorite ways to support pollinators:

#1: Grow native plants

There’s a good reason this is our top tip: Planting native plants is the best way to promote healthy communities of pollinators! Native plants provide food and shelter for all sorts of beneficial wildlife, including pollinators. As a bonus, they often require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than non-native plants. Some of our favorite NC natives are:

• Milkweeds, including butterfly weed

• Purple coneflower (aka Echinacea)

• Goldenrod

• Elderberry

• Redbud tree

• Black-eyed Susan

For best results, learn which plants are best suited to your area, grow a variety of plants that bloom at different times during the year, and plant flowering plants close together in clumps. Supporting pollinators also means providing food for caterpillars, so remember to plant some leafy host plants, too!

To find native plants, skip the big-box stores and visit a local garden center or nursery. You can even look into hiring a gardener or consultant who specializes in landscaping with native plants.

Don’t have space for your own garden? Consider joining a community garden, or volunteering with a local park or botanical garden!

#2: Avoid using pesticides

Most people don’t spray insecticides on their garden with the intention of hurting butterflies and bees, but sadly, these chemicals can have unintended consequences for beneficial insects – as well as for other wildlife and humans.

If at all possible, avoid using pesticides and practice prevention strategies instead. Choose naturally insect- or disease-resistant native species for your garden, and learn to identify which “pests” are actually helpful or harmless insects. (Remember: all butterflies are caterpillars first!) If you do see signs of an infestation, remove the affected part of the plant and dispose of it by burying it away from your garden.

If you do have to use insecticide, use it only as directed. Limit your use to when you have a serious pest problem. Don’t apply pesticides to or near plants that are actively blooming, and try to avoid spraying during the warmest part of the day when bees and other pollinators are most active. Early morning or dusk are safest!

You can also explore “green” alternatives to conventional pesticides. Keep in mind, though, that even “bee-friendly” insecticides can cause harm to our buzzy friends.

#3: Learn about native pollinator species

There’s more to pollinators than honey bees! Did you know bees and butterflies aren’t the only animals that pollinate flowers? Here in NC, flies, wasps, beetles, moths, and hummingbirds also play an important role in pollinating both wild plants and crops. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s Butterfly Highway project has great information on attracting and identifying NC pollinators.

National Pollinator Week is a great opportunity to learn more about the pollinators in your area. Look for events happening near you! If you live in Durham, consider attending Keep Durham Beautiful’s first annual Bee Day at the Durham Farmers Market this Saturday, June 25th from 9 AM to 12 PM.

Or go the old-fashioned route and check out a guidebook to insects and other animals in your area! Not sure where to start? Browse PWC’s list of recommended field guides on Bookshop.org.

#4: Create pollinator habitat

Whether you have a sprawling farmstead or a tiny patio garden, you can make a home for pollinators! Logs, dead trees, and stick piles make great nesting sites for bees, butterflies, and moths. A shallow tray or birdbath filled with water and pebbles offers busy bees a refreshing water source. Don’t worry about keeping your garden perfectly manicured. Pollinators like a little mess!

Hate raking leaves in the fall? Good news: Letting dead leaves remain in your yard also provides food and shelter for pollinators during the colder months!

Many garden stores sell “bee hotels,” nesting boxes with hollow tubes where mason bees, leafcutter bees, and other cavity-dwelling bees can make their homes. “Bee” careful with these, as many are poorly designed and can unintentionally encourage the spread of disease and parasites. Look for a model with removable tubes (preferably not bamboo) that are not glued in place, are open on only one end, and don’t have any splinters or cracks. (Better yet, make your own!) Remember to clean or replace the tubes each spring to keep your hard-working guests healthy.

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Special thanks to our Spring 2022 APPLES Intern, Torin O’Brien, for beautifying our on-site gardens this spring! Learn more about National Pollinator Week at pollinator.org.