If you love birds, what are the most useful things to know about plants? In an evening devoted to the plants behind the birds, we'll briefly review the ecology and evolution of bird-plant interactions, and apply that to your yard. What is it about the plants around a home that attracts birds? Join us for a look at all the ways your plants feed and protect birds, and make the materials and physical spaces they need. need. But what about those bugs? With apologies to the true bugs – we really should say what about those invertebrates? From Baltimore Orioles to Tree Swallow, Bluebirds to Yellowthroats, Song Sparrows to Pileated Woodpeckers, and Woodcocks to Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, almost every bird we see eats invertebrates and depends on a big supply of them to feed its young during nesting season, and we'll discuss which plants supply the invertebrates birds need. Would you like planting ideas? We'll describe design approaches that attract birds, and as well as ways to select particular plant species for your yard,There will be a Q+A as a part of the presentation.

The presenter, Jim Graves, PhD and retired professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, has a passion to understand the structure and function of plant communities and associated fauna.

This presentation is sponsored by the Randolph Conservation Commission and will be delivered via Zoom! Please contact Jessamyn West, jessamyn@gmail.com for instructions on how to get the Zoom link.