Home Sweet Habitat
BY THE WILD BIRD CENTER, WEATHERFORD, TX
According to recent surveys, backyard bird feeding is the second most
popular outdoor hobby, following, and maybe even closing the gap on,
gardening. The two are so closely related that is inevitable that more
and more people are combining their two favorite outdoor activities to
produce bird gardens designed to bring delight to gardeners and birds
alike.
Few of us have the opportunity to restore 10,000 acres of woodland
to its natural condition, but we can still contribute to recreating healthy
habitat. With some attention and care, we can make our little piece of
the world a better place for wildlife and for the people that respect and
delight in it. Bird gardens do that and more: They also increase your
daily exposure to birds and other wildlife, provide a calm center for your
yard, and create a visual delight for your eyes.
plants –form thickets, which provide
excellent cover for birds and other
wildlife. Brightly colored flowers
attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
You can create a pond or stream,
which will enhance the habitat and
increase the number of species that
visit your yard. You can leave bits of
the yard untended, which is gener-
ally how the birds prefer it, and use
only bird-safe organic fertilizers and
pest-control measures on the parts
that you do maintain. And don’t be
too hasty to prune dead wood or
take down trees that continue to
provide housing for cavity nesters
for years.
Landscaping for wildlife reflects
appreciation for nature rather than
domination of it. The look is softer,
less manicured than that found in
Titmouse
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Creating a bird-friendly garden is a fairly simple matter. Feeders, bird-
baths, nest boxes, and other garden amenities provide a focal point.
You will also want to learn how to select and place bird-friendly plants.
There are many good resources that will help you enjoy bird garden-
ing, including the local library, garden clubs, nurseries, and of course,
the internet. Do a little research now and be ready with a plan as the
seasons change. Ask yourself how each decision you make contributes
to the basic survival needs of birds.
Whether your yard is large or small you can create a bird friendly envi-
ronment. First up, plant bird-friendly plants, with berries for eating and
thorns for protection and heavy branching for roosting (and ducking out
of the way of a hungry hawk). As we head into the summer months,
look for plants that produce fruit and berries. These plants attract
juncos, woodpeckers, jays, along with deer, raccoons, and red foxes.
Many of the summer food plants – such as raspberry and blackberry