Page 13 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - November '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 13

Northern Notes from page 12

As omnivores, sandhill cranes play a crucial role in
Florida’s ecosystem. Their diet, which includes plants and
small animals like snails, frogs, worms, and grubs, provides
natural biological control for their grazing areas. This
unique pest control service they offer is one of the many
reasons we appreciate their presence in our environment.
Sandhill cranes spend most of the daylight hours in areas
where food is most abundant, generally walking several
miles a day through dry pastures, fields, wet meadows, or
marshes in search for food, eating as they go. NPDES tip: Safely use and dispose of pesticides. If
all of the pesticide cannot be properly used, check with
your solid waste management authority to find out when
and where to properly dispose of this type of hazardous
waste.

as they cross the street to
get to the yard. They are
also more vulnerable to
predation by dogs or cats,
especially young cranes.
Occasionally, birds cause
damage to property as a
territorial defense behavior
upon seeing their reflection
in cars or window screens.
Pesticides in yards and
urban areas can also be
of concern as they forage
for food in the ground.
Feeding them can disrupt
their natural foraging
behavior, making them
People inadvertently put them in harm’s way when more susceptible to these
feeding them, thinking they are being kind. It is never a dangers.
good idea to feed wildlife. In fact, in 2002, the Florida Look around and enjoy these beautiful birds interacting
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made it with our Florida environment. Give them space if you
illegal to feed sandhill cranes (Florida Fish and Wildlife encounter them and be mindful of them crossing or
Code 68A-4.00(3)). Why was this done? Cranes can walking in our roadways. Finally, please do not feed
become aggressive when fed by people. When they are them for the good of the cranes and Florida’s delicate Veteran’s Day
used to a free meal, they will continue to return and ecosystem. For more information, please visit the Florida
demand it when it is not offered. Cranes returning to a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at November 11
yard where they have been fed are prone to injury by cars www.myfwc.com.

Minimally Invasive

Spine Surgery

When back pain persists, it may be a sign of a
more severe problem. At Palm Beach Gardens
Medical Center, we offer personalized treatment
options that utilize minimally invasive techniques
to manage and resolve acute and degenerative
conditions affecting the spine.

• Fellowship Trained Spine Surgeons
• 3D Surgical Imaging Technology
• Private Rooms

Scan the QR code or
call 844.968.4584 to
find a neurosurgeon.

Stronger Together. For You.

3360 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens