Look up at the sky , what do you see ?
The sun . The moon . And birds ?
BY THE WILD BIRD CENTER , WEATHERFORD , TX
SEPTEMBER 2017 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
46
Yes , birds . Lots of ‘ em . As in billions of them .
Twice a year , birds representing nearly 300 species begin migrating between North America and more tropical climes to the south . This fall during the daylight and nighttime hours , many will be flying thousands of miles to reach their target .
These birds instinctively know where to stop for food and water , but as more and more natural habitats give way to manicured lawns and landscaped development areas , finding a welcoming backyard can be hugely beneficial for these weary travelers .
Where neatly trimmed suburban landscapes now sit was once habitat , which is why many homeowners are now giving up all or part of their lawns to bring the wild back to wildlife , securing nature right in their own backyard .
You don ’ t have to tear up your yard , but do know that the quest for the perfect lawn that ’ s lush green and weed-free does take away from the natural habitats that wildlife and birds use to live . So , what can you do ?
Consider changing over your lawn or even just part of it . Replace that perfect square of grass with trees , shrubs and flowering plants to help provide birds , native and migrating , clean water , shelter and places to nest and raise their young . Reduce the use of pesticides - did you know that U . S . lawn care accounts for 70 million pounds of applied pesticides , 10 times more than what is used in farming ? Investigate using natural lawn care remedies such as corn gluten for banishing weeds .
Even small efforts in small yards can have a meaningful impact on wildlife .
Remember , creating a bird friendly community is just another aspect of
Cardinal Feeder , Woodpecker , Bluejay
gardening - a hobby you can indulge and then relax in as much or as little as you like . Together with your neighbors , the green space of the yards in your community can become a popular rest stop on the highway of migration for many birds .
Remove and replace invasive , non-native plants in your landscape with native trees and plants . Oaks , maples , birches , goldenrods , asters , cherry trees and sunflowers are all great landscape enhancing choices , and offer food to birds by way of seeds ( as much as we ’ d like to think so , birds don ’ t just exist on bird seed and suet ) as well as offering shelter , safety and shade .
Fruiting plants and seeds , dogwoods , serviceberries and viburnums , provide fuel to migrating and resident birds during the season and also offer branches and coverage for birds to tuck into during inclement weather . Evergreen trees and shrubs provide excellent shelter for birds throughout every season . For more information about native , bird-friendly plants , visit : http :// www . audubon . org / plantsforbirds .
Setting up a feeding station with a variety of feeder styles to accommodate a variety of bird species , plus adding a bird bath full of fresh water , aids tremendously on the routes of these migratory travelers .
As fall approaches and cooler days appear on the horizon , keep an eye out for the rare , seasonal guest in your yard ! Many birds are short-distance migrants , and fly only a few hundred miles away . Attracting them to your backyard is a fun way to spot bird species not normally seen in the area , and a well-outfitted yard could easily become their chosen home for these months away .
Also , many migrating birds won ’ t touch down for just a brief stop in your yard , but may stay around for several days as they partake of the rest ,