As part of the Blogger BioBlitz this week, I’m looking for biodiversity in an urban garden in downtown New Bedford, Mass. I actually found more biodiversity than you might expect.
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Note: video host blip.tv is defunct, so this video no longer exists.
The most amazing biodiversity exploration I was part of was a couple of decades ago in London, England, where we discovered the most amazing plants, local to all kinds of parts of the world, even tropical, happily growing on grassy islands in the roads (the middle of traffic circles – roundabouts – for example) in the middle of the city. How did they get there? The gardens nearby often didn’t have any such plants.
Then – dada – we saw an old lady feeding the birds. Of course! She, and all like her, had been spreading “bird seed” on these precious grassy bits of busy London. And, of course, “bird seed” doesn’t actually grow birds, but plants!
They mightn’t survive the winter, but a new lot of bird seed would probably bring such plants back again next year. Wonder what you have in your church garden that might be “bird” plants?
A beautiful garden and a great idea for the blitz, Dan. You’re a pioneer!
You should definitely post a link to this on the Google Group. I’m sure everyone would like to see it (if you don’t, I will!).
Judith — You write: “Wonder what you have in your church garden that might be “bird†plants?” — and that’s a good question. The lichens, moss, and club moss in the video obviusly aren’t (they’re not seed bearing plants). As for the other plants, that’s something to look into — thanks for the idea.
Jeremy — Yes, I do have to get the video up on the BioBlitz Google Group. Thanks for reminding me.
Hooray for Unitarian bioblitzers!
I’m working on the spreadsheets now, hoping to get things on a map. I’m going to try to link the observations to specific blog posts.
Your unknown nest in this video could be a partly constructed crow’s nest (if it was relatively high up).
Hi Cyndy — I’m looking forward to the map — that’s a lot of work you’re putting in.
Yes, of all the species I’ve seen in the neighborhood, crows seem most likely. But the nest was really pretty low, only about ten or twelve feet. It seems small for an American Crow, too.