Law
of Unintended Consequences
Always remember the Law of
Unintended Consequences when you take on a landscaping project. This summer we started step one of a long
range plan that would involve replacing the weedy, overgrown pasture with
native plants, grasses, shrubs and trees that would benefit the wildlife. In the process of removing scrubby vegetation,
trimming trees, etc. we created a large brush pile that we had planned to burn
as soon as there was snow cover on the ground.
 |
| Bon Bon Pond Brush pile |
Not
so fast
Since its late summer
inception, the pile has attracted Chickadees, Sparrows and Cardinals, plus
seemingly every Dark-eyed Junco that makes its winter residence at Bon Bon
Pond. My beloved little gray avians are
all over the pile, darting in and out, and even disappearing into its dark recesses
for long periods of time.
Juncos are commonly called “birds
of the ground” as they are usually
observed hopping on the forest floor pecking or scratching at leaf litter and
gleaning food from twigs. With these predilections, I now see it’s only natural
these birds would be drawn to the brush pile, which will also provide shelter
during the cold winter months.
Change
of plans
Back to the drawing board! “Ye olde brush pile” will stay put until
spring, after it has served its
unexpected purpose of protecting and feeding my winter residents.
Actions
have reactions
I learned a significant lesson
from this experience. Nearly
everything we humans do outdoors has repercussions for the wildlife.
 |
| You can see where the birds have already made an entrance hole to the pile |
While it’s great to have a
well-intentioned picture-perfect plan, oftentimes there are unanticipated consequences
which require wildlife lovers, like me, to make a detour of sorts. In my case, I’m stuck with a messy eyesore for
four months but the animals have a hospitable habitat for winter. All in all that’s a
pretty good tradeoff around Bon Bon Pond.
A little bird told me to
remind all wildlife lovers in cold climes to put out water this winter. In
frigid weather, fresh water is the single most important resource for our feathered
friends. Wild birds—especially the smaller species—expend a tremendous amount
of energy in order to receive hydration from snow. 
