Planting for the birds - healthy backyards
Planting for the Birds - Healthy Backyards
By Roy Smallwood
This concept is touted by no less than the National Audubon Society. The concept is to create a yard in which one increases the food, water, shelter and nesting opportunities for wildlife while decreasing water and pesticide use. Generally, one landscapes so that lawn size is decreased, but the diversity of native, non invasive plants is expanded.
Consider choosing plants that cover a gambit of food sources. Sources of food include nuts, seeds, fruit and nectar. Each category attracts a different variety of birds. Nectar can be provided by red tubular flowers-scarlet sage, columbine, lobelia, penstemon, azalea, fuchsia, Bee Balm or yucca. Hummingbirds and orioles are the species attracted. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays and even turkey will be attracted to oaks, hickory, buckeye, chestnuts and walnuts. Fruit bearing plants such as dogwood, serviceberry, cherry, Red Mulberry, and cactus will bring thrushes, Veery, robins, catbirds, Cedar Waxwings, tanagers, wrens, vireos and warblers. Seed bearing plants include sunflowers, coneflowers, goldenrod (the birds may like this one, but I'd caution that some of you are allergic to it-I am), pine, maple and alder. Grosbeaks, finches, cardinals, Pine Siskins, juncos, titmice and dove will appreciate these seed bearing plants. Always choose plants well suited for your area. Arranging these within your yard can provide you with a pleasant and visually wonderful back yard as well as providing food and shelter for the birds. Since moving to this house and planting many of the above plants, we've recorded some 54 species of birds visiting us.
Water attracts birds and wildlife. Bird baths placed around the yard adds to the aesthetic while providing drink and bathing opportunities for our feathered friends. Our bird bath is placed so that the birds can quickly dash into the Rose-A-Sharon if startled. If you have a natural source of water, exploit it to the birds and your advantage. Our ravine behind our house provides little water but a rich and diverse habitat that has attracted even the likes of Sharp-shinned and Red Shouldered Hawks and Great Horned and Screech Owls.
Roy Smallwood is the owner of Kingbirdfeeders.com Roy began this enterprise after a 26 year career as a teacher of science. His love and enjoyment of the outdoors and birding in particular is the impetus for the company. He is an active member of the Central Texas Audubon Society. He encourages everyone to participate and enjoy birding whether in the backyard or in the field. Visit kingbirdfeeders.com for , binoculars and spotting scopes and happy birding!
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