The Land Connection
September/October 2020
The Georgia Piedmont Land Trust (GPLT) protects land where you live, work and play.
We protect land that supports healthy habitats where wildlife thrives and people can connect with nature.
Protected Land and the
Brown Headed Nuthatch

The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a small bird, 3-4 inches long, with a brown crown, bluish-gray wings and backs, and a creamy white underside. It is a non-migratory species. These birds are considered pine specialists because their natural habitat is mature pine woodlands. They like to nest in pine snags and abandoned woodpecker cavities fairly low to the ground.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other authorities have identified a decline in this species in Georgia due to the destruction of their preferred habitat as a result of urbanization and deforestation. Clearing for development or for timber harvest removes the habitat they need for foraging and nesting.
 
GPLT’s protection of woodland properties, especially in urban and suburban environments, provides habitat where the Brown-headed Nuthatch can thrive. You can help reverse the decline of this year-round resident. All you have to do is put up a nuthatch nesting box, in your yard. Nuthatches prefer semi-open habitat, but they will also nest in wooded and open areas –as long as there are pine trees nearby. You can put up your nesting box near the edge of woods, on existing trees or mounted on poles.
The Bigleaf Magnolia - A Stately Native Species

The Bigleaf magnolia (Magnolia macrophylla) is a stately, medium-sized, deciduous tree native to Georgia. It’s most notable for very large leaves, growing up to 30 or more inches long and fragrant flowers as much as a foot wide – the largest of any temperate variety. The leaves, light green on top and whitish or silvery underneath, are unlobed, except for a lobe on either side of each leaf at the base. They are arranged in a cluster around twig tips so that they resemble an umbrella. Bigleaf magnolia is slow growing, a species of bottomlands, flood plains or coves, preferring moist, well drained to wet soil.
 
The large leaves and blossoms are an indication that this is a primitive species. Magnolias are among the oldest of all surviving tree families. Their blossoms, unlike those of more recently-evolved trees, are pollinated by beetles, which pre-date bees and butterflies. A strong fragrance helps attract the beetles. Its fruit is a cone-shaped cluster that matures in early autumn to display pale orange seeds – loved by birds -- on slender threads.
 
As dramatic as this species is, it’s not regularly available commercially, although some native plant retailers may offer it. It can provide an interesting contrast to fine-textured plants in the landscape.
The Value of Bluebird Boxes
The Eastern Bluebird has striking blue plumage on the head, back, wings, and tail. The throat, chest, and sides are rust-colored. The belly and feathers under the tail are white. These birds live year round in Georgia where suitable habitats are available.

Bluebirds prefer nesting habitat that includes open areas with few trees and forest edges. The female builds a nest of grasses or pine needles in a cavity 3-40 feet above ground in natural cavities in oaks and pines. Bluebirds need places to perch in order to hunt the ground for grubs, grasshoppers and caterpillars.
 
Bluebird populations declined by an estimated 90% from 1920-1970. They were hurt by competition from introduced species (House Sparrows and starlings), increased pesticide use and loss of habitat through urbanization. In the 1960s and 1970s the establishment of bluebird trails and other nest box campaigns helped to revive the Bluebird population particularly after people began using nest boxes designed to keep out the larger European Starling. Eastern Bluebird numbers have been progressively recovering since.
 
GPLT’s protection of woodland properties, especially in urban and suburban environments, provides habitat where the Eastern Bluebird can thrive. A grassy backyard can be a great place for a bluebird nest box like the one pictured here that GPLT installed at the Kistner Center.
Our land conservation benefits you and future generations of Georgians. Help us continue this important work by donating today.
How can I support GPLT?
Protecting important lands is what we do. But we cannot do it without you. Please support our mission with a donation today.
Pictures taken at GPLT protected properties.
Top: White-tailed Deer.
Bottom: Red-spotted Purple Butterfly.
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Photos Courtesy of Hank Ohme, Carol Hassell & Dale Higdon