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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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Creating a Garden for Birds |
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August 15, 2001 Few things are as interesting and beautiful as songbirds. They brighten up the darkest days of winter, adding music and color to our lives. What can we do to repay them? For starters we can make our yards more bird friendly. Never before has suitable habitat for birds been in such short supply. Urban areas are expanding constantly, altering or destroying natural areas. By creating bird gardens, we provide oases for birds in the heart of our cities. And not only will birds benefit, but if you make your yard more attractive to birds, you'll have the pleasure of seeing an increasing number of variety of birds there. The first step in designing a bird garden is to evaluate your yard from a bird's perspective. Does it provide the basic necessities-food, water, shelter-that birds need to survive? If not, which are lacking? If there's a shortage of food, you can hang up bird feeders, but also consider planting some fruit-bearing trees or shrubs. Plants that hold their fruit through the winter provide a vital food source for nonmigratory birds. Add variety to the kinds of food you offer, and you'll attract a wider variety of bird species. A good water source will draw birds like a magnet. Even just a common birdbath purchased at a garden supply shop will do. Some people hang a plastic bottle or jug of water with a hole in the bottom over their birdbath. The motion and sound of the dripping water is irresistible to many birds. Does your yard have an area of dense thickets that birds could use for nesting, secluded perching, or escape cover? If not, then plant some shrubs or make a hedge. Consider growing some vines up the side of your house or along your fence. Try to create lush, wild growth in a few places to simulate a natural environment. You should be able to find some excellent plants for your garden in a nursery-either local or mail order. (If you buy from an out-of-state nursery, however, be sure that the plants you purchase will be hardy in your region.) Plan Ahead When you're designing your yard, consider how large each plant will be when it matures. Remember that a lovely little tree that you plant today may become a giant behemoth that hogs your entire yard in a few years. So shop wisely and avoid making a costly error. Before you start digging up plants and rearranging your yard, you'll want to try out your garden design on paper. Draw a map of your property, showing the location of your house and all the trees and other major plants. Then place a sheet of thin tracing paper over the map and draw your redesigned garden, indicating where each new plant will go. Avoid straight lines or rows in your plantings. Create a meandering line where two kinds of habitat, such as shrubs and lawn, meet. These edge areas provide the widest variety of perching places, nest sites, and food types. Develop secluded areas of shrubs, conifers, and mixed plantings. Take note of the areas in your yard that receive sun or shade, and choose only plants that are appropriate for each lighting situation. Leave dead limbs and even entire dead trees where they are (unless they're dangerous to people or property). The insects tunneling under the bark are an important food source for birds such as chickadees, woodpeckers, and nuthatches. Furthermore, old hollow trees are becoming increasingly scarce, and cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds and woodpeckers are having an increasingly difficult time finding nest sites. A dead tree can look attractive in a garden, particularly if it has ivy growing up its trunk. Use dead branches that fall from your trees to start a brush pile. It will afford protection to the birds from harsh weather and predators. To start your brush pile, lay down some thick branches about two feet deep, then add a few of thinner branches on top. Over that, add some thin conifer branches. With a little time and effort, you can easily turn you're your into a welcome haven for local and migrant songbirds. The Yates County Master Gardeners may be able to help you with your gardening plans, please don't hesitate to call at 315.536.5123. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
