Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
Golf Courses as Bird Sanctuaries


usually there % water nearby. often
right ON the course - hazard. Tne
sand Of the bunkers furnishes exceiiens
dust baths, essential to some varieties
of birds. Moreover, many types OF BIRDS
Yest in long grass and the rough of q
rolf course 10 ideal for this purpose.
Birds living on golf course are un-
usually safe from gunfire. Golf courses
are private property. a. rue, ana
be he seasoned sportsman or merely
the typical small boy with an air rife.
70 not likely to run the risk entailed IN
pulling q trigger on or even near g0lf
course. There Is too much danger of
hitting the wrong target.
Enthusiastic bird lovers Of the Audu-
bon Society and many who are not
members find sufdcient enjoyment, IN
hearing the songs and watching the
hight Of birds to make them want to
encourage the idea Of bird sanctuary
golf courses. The society hopes that
other golfers viii be equally hoepitable
II only ON the ground that the birds
improve the condition Of the turf.
No Expense Attached.
Different varieties Of birds are to be
courses In different parts Of the colin-
try. There are few doves and no mock
ing birds on Northern courses rs there
are In the South, nor are there any
cardinals or bobolinks In California.
Climate and habits produce various
differences In bird habitat regardless
Of the presence OF sanctuaries In the
form Of golf Links.
everywhere throughout the country.
Vesper sparrows, larks of some sort, and
mourning doves also visit courses from
end to end OF the land. All are sing
ing birds OF varying degrees Of sweet
ness, but, In the view OF the Audubon
Society, any bird song adds to the
cheerfuiness and brightness Of o golf
course.
Considerable sums Of money have
been spent by the public and by In
tuaries, where bird visitors or CO.
journers viii feel sufficiently safe from
| their enemies TO remain indefinitely,
or, at least. throughout their season.
| The golf courses, It u declared, make
ready-made sanctuartes, requiring no
| additional expense.
Tias society is falling golf clubs what
they can Do 70 attract the birds 10 the
best advantage. Ths methods are the
tiaere seems not TO be . suficiency Of
natural food on the ground, the supply
may DO supplemented with occasional
feelings OF bread crumbs. In dry times
water should be provided, 20 that the
birds need not leave the sanctuary un-
| less they desire to see what r. going
| On In the next county.
The suresk way TO keep the birds On
Q rolf course and insure their return
| Ia the Spring u TO scatter crumbs IN
| likely places IA the Winter time. There
are always o few birds around, even In
very cold weather. Winter feeding will
| estabiish any golf course - o popular
| bird resort with protection, the birds
viii multiply, and generation after gen
| Grafton win come to regard certain
| courses % their homes.
Tiae Audubon Society has had moth.
| ing to say 90 far about miniature golf
| courses built ON vacant city lots. BY
| judicicusly planting jasmine vines
around the bordering walls, IL might
| be possible 20 attract the miniature
| humming bird.
Caddies must be Instructed 70 leavs
| ground nests undisturbed, and golfers
| whose balls have gone into the rough
| must be cautioned 70 be sure that the
| rounded white object, nesting In the
| grass, 10 In fact the ball and not .
| birds egg. Players should be sure In
| advance OF the stroke. After the strcks,
! provided Il 10 accurate. there would
J presumably be no doubt.