Surprise. Moderately settled suburban subdivisions, a/k/a "sprawl" was found to increase biodiversity for birds. And the most birds were not found around tightly clustered homes in the middle of open space or forested land. Instead, University of Washington Professor John Marzluff explained:
"The diversity peaks in these moderately settled subdivisions, what we think of as sprawl. That was really a surprise. We expected that sprawl would be the worst thing for birds, but in fact it increases diversity."
Marzluff points out openings, some edges, some forest remnants, and urban features are all close together here. He says that variety of habitat in the typical leafy suburb promotes the feathered riches.
The finding jives with what longtime neighborhood resident Milton Dick sees beyond his five acre lot. Dick says it seems like there are more birds around.
Dick: "Lots of birds here, all kinds. A lot of people feed them. A lot of people have bird feeders down here. The birds come back, year after year you see them."
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