Fall Home Improvement Section Landscape for the Birds

Jo Ann C. Rogers-Master Gardener Volunteer

September 20, 2002

     My grandmother Smith from Enochville used to tell me how much she enjoyed being a parent. As a mother of 12 and nearly 40 grandchildren she had lots of experience watching d1ildren grow .She once told me that one of her favourite things about being a parent was observing her children's minds unfold and how she relished their excitement to learn new things, Now that I am a parent, I share her enthusiasm and encourage my children to learn as much as they can about what interests them.

     I especially encourage them to find activities that require them to spend some time outside (away from the television). It was when a hummingbird was temporarily trapped in our garage that my girls became interested in birds. Although the doors and the windows were all open so he could fly free; he perched on the raised garage door and stayed the night. My girls sat and watched him-even during their favorite show. We thought for sure he would be gone the next morning, but he was there when we awoke the next day. It was as If he wanted to thank us for letting him stay the night, then he flew away. He still visits and hums by our heads around dusk when he stops to retrieve the nectar from a red hot poker. When the girls wanted to know why he didn't visit more often, I knew I had a winner. I knew bird watching would be a wonderful activity to help my children develop a love for the outdoors,

     The birds had my children's interest and I wanted to cultivate it. In order to "get 'em while they're hot", I wanted to do something to start attracting birds to our yard immediately. I went to the store and picked up three types of birdseed. We filled the feeder and hung it in a tree that would provide ample shelter from predators. The "all you can eat with your beak" food bar was open and we were ready for the show. It took two days before we saw our first bird eat from the feeder.

      While we were waiting for the birds to arrive it was a good chance to take a few field trips. Just for fun, we went on a family outing to Dan Nicholas Park to see the owls, pheasants, and other barnyard birds. What a great place to start! If you're lucky and go at the light time of the year, you're sure to see baby ducklings and 3 wide varieties of other birds on their walking trails. The staff is fabulous and very willing to help answer the most elementary question.

     Another place to kick off a family study of birds is to visit the Carolina Raptor Center at the Knox Plantation in Huntersville. For beginners, it's an ideal place to learn about birds in flight, marvel at the speed and strength of the birds of prey I and gain respect for their struggle to survive as our region becomes more populated. Although we were not hoping to encourage home visits from birds of prey, this center is a good place to reflect upon the general needs of birds in the wild.

     Most birds in the wild require the same staples of life that we need:

Though we started with bagged, premixed bird seed, we eventually wanted to create a habitat more dependants on annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees and use birdfeed as a supplement during the months when plants do not provide food. Pre-packaged birdseed can be very convenient to use; however, unwanted plants can germinate from birdseed. As a child on my parents' farm, my mother would feed the birds premixed birdseed. She enjoyed the sense of whimsy and wonderment that birds added to her yard. Unfortunately I a number of thistles were popping up in her yard and pasture. After investigating the problem, she realized that she was purchasing thistle in her bagged birdseed. Although she very much liked the goldfinches that ate the thistle seed, she decided to no longer purchase seed containing thistle or Niger thistle. Instead, she purchased sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds limited the type of birds she lured to her yard; however, it eliminated many unwanted weeds.

     Considering all we have learned so far, we have decided to create a habitat for the birds by using plants desired by birds and are attractive to our landscape. Birds love berries and there are berry producing plants that are a beautiful addition to the landscape. Here are a few common plants which we have decided are a must for our landscape habitat: Viburnum (attracts bluebirds}, Weigela (attracts hummingbirds), Hollies (berries and protection), Oak (acorns attract many species), Conifers (provides protection all year), Wax Myrtle, Hawthorn, Cotoneaster 1 Blueberries, and Junipers. There is a wonderful selection from which to choose. It takes a bit of homework to determine which birds are attracted to specific plants, but it is worth it.    Bird watching has been a pleasure for my family. Although there has been some labour involved in preparing our landscape habitat, the rewards have been indescribable. My daughters have found delight in the outdoors among the birds, butterflies, and trees. And we look forward to our next visit from our friend the hummingbird. He has our d~ gratitude. Because of him, our yard is for the birds!