On attracting wildlife

27 Aug 2007

Got questions about the environment? Ask Umbra.

Hi Umbra,

I agree with your analysis of bird feeders, and would like to share a win-win solution. I have a huge variety of birds that visit my yard year-round. Instead of bird feeders, I have planted an abundance of native plants, including trees, bushes, and groundcover plants that provide berries, seeds, nesting material, and shelter throughout the year. In addition, I use organic gardening methods, and spread worm castings from my worm composter as fertilizer. The rich, pesticide-free soil therefore provides a rich food source for ground-feeders.

Peggy Green, environmental science professor
Margate, Fla.

Dearest Peggy,

How many times per week does someone comment on your last name? It's like if I were a professional ... uh, a ... hmm.

Backyards are part of a bird-joining movement.

Photo: iStockphoto

I agree with you, too, with your vote for gardens as a bird attractant, buffet, and shelter. So onward to suggestions for others about luring birds to the yard.

First off, why bother? Ecologically, the reasons are compelling. Animals need certain foods, certain habitats, certain other animals, plants, and insects to survive and thrive. We humans have chosen pavement as a habitat. Well-planned gardens amidst the asphalt are sanctuaries for otherwise stranded small animals and insects. A neighborhood series of linked habitats creates a little wildlife corridor. Altruism in the form of a backyard wildlife sanctuary will reward us: Birds are cute, and provide a soothing bucolic atmosphere, what with their charming noises and flitting. Even the bird-indifferent can be won over by a nice herd of black-eyed juncos furtively -- but nicely -- zipping about in the morn.

Birds develop niches in tandem with plants, so using certain native plants in your landscape will logically assist struggling native birds. Native plantings are also a low-maintenance garden choice, as they are hardy, do well in the climate and thus succumb to fewer pests, and require infrequent or no watering.

Ask Umbra continues below

ADVERTISING POLICY

Enough with the proselytizing -- how does one begin to create a bird haven? Gather inspiration before the daunting design step. Visit a botanical or zoological garden in the area, or even a well-designed park or campus, to see how native plants can be arranged for aesthetic and ecological effect. Look on the internet to find your local Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary organization, local native-plant society, and local bird peeps. Ask gardener pals about the plants you like, or they like, and write the names down. Do the opposite, as well: learn which plants attract which birds, then go look and find out if you like the plant. Then, using resources from the native plant or backyard or bird people, start to make a list of the plants you think you want.

The Cornell Ornithology Lab uses a clever system of seven groups of plants that will attract birds: conifers, grasses and legumes, nectar-producers, summer-fruiting, fall-fruiting, winter-persistent, nut and acorn. With a little research as described above, or in any decent regional gardening book, you should be able to make a list of plants you like in each category. As you plan and plant, and maintain your garden, keep birds in mind. Create dense thickets, leave some dead wood lying about, and make a bit of a "mess." Birds and the bugs they eat will do better given undisturbed piles of brush, mounds of old seed heads and flowers lying about, perennials left untrimmed for the winter so they can browse the old seeds and perch upon the stalks. That is to say, a half-tended yard will go to the birds.

Tweetily,
Umbra

Yours is to wonder why, hers is to answer (or try). Please send Umbra any nagging question pertaining to the environment -- but first check out her FAQs!

The claims made in this column may not reflect the views of this magazine. Neither the magazine nor the author guarantees that any advice contained in this column is wise or safe. Please use this column at your own risk.

Umbra Fisk is Grist Research Associate II, Hardcover and Periodicals Unit, floors 2B-4B.

Comments: (14 comments)

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Creating a wildlife habitat

Hi Folks,
Creating a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat (now called Certified Wildlife Habitat) has been one of the most rewarding things I've done. It not only has been very enjoyable watching various creatures, but it's helped reconnect me to the natural world. Observing nature in my yard has taught me a lot about ecology and about the world beyond my yard. And there's always more to enjoy. My latest efforts have been providing habitat for pollinators, and creating a Monarch Waystation. More info and photos of my yard are at www.stewardshipgarden.org.
Janet

by gardener at 10:53 AM on 27 Aug 2007

Thanks Umbra

Great information Umbra, as always. While there is a dearth of hard research demonstrating the positive effects of wildlife-friendly landscapes for birds--not to mention other wildlife, the soil and the watershed--mimicking nature in your yard intuitively makes sense if you are committed to eco-conscious living.

Natural landscapes are also an excellent place to experience a daily, personal connection with the natural world.

It's not as hard as most people think to get started. Here are some links that will be useful:

NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat program
http://www.nwf.org/backyard/

Animal Planet's Backyard Habitat
www.animalplanet.com/backyardhabitat

American Beauties Native Plants
www.abnativeplants.com

I humbly also recommend my book entitled "Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife" as a simple, how-to resource. For more in-depth reading into the philosophy of ecologicaly-sound gardens, Sara Stein's "Noah's Garden" is an absolute must-read.

There are hundreds of great websites and books dedicated to native plants, bird gardens, backyard habitat, wildlife gardens, etc. so my advice is to just start and you'll learn as you go.

Good luck!

David Mizejewski
Naturalist, National Wildlife Federation
Host, Animal Planet's Backyard Habitat

by DMizejewski at 12:00 PM on 27 Aug 2007

"wildlife" is more than just birds

While I heartily believe in encouraging the native flora and fauna of one's area I think it's extremely important to point out that wildlife means more than just birds. When you invite wildlife into you yard you need to cognisant that you are also welcoming those rodents, mammals and more, that are also part of the ecosystem.

One of the most adaptable and resilient of these is the coyote - an incredible animal who most frequently bears the angry brunt of unassuming 'wildlife welcomers' when their dogs and cats start to disappear; and animal that for some reason garners little to no respect from so many.

With coyote sightings on the rise everywhere from Los Angeles to Seattle to Chicago to New York City's Central Park, please remember when you welcome wildlife you can't be selective as to who takes you up on your offer.

http://www.bancrueltraps.com/
This site has great free info on how to successfully co-exist with coyotes and other "nuisance" wildlife.

by zibby at 2:40 PM on 27 Aug 2007

gardening article

Although it focuses somewhat on Pacific NW plants, here's an article that pretty much covers it. Needless to say, the recommendations will benefit wildlife besides birds.
http://www.nwrenovation.com/26gardeningforbirds.html

by estark at 3:04 PM on 27 Aug 2007

You don't have to go native

Sigh. Umbra is again promulgating the false notion that native plants are good and exotics are bad. That's simplistic and wrong. There are plenty of good non-invasive exotic plants for any area you want to landscape. And sometimes exotics are better than natives.
For example: Central Florida--my home--has been having terrible drought problems for years. Gardeners in this area would be foolish to plant natives like bald cypress, Florida anise, buttonbush, and dahoon holly. It's true that they're genuine Florida plants, but they thrive in moist areas and would be disastrous choices with our severe watering restrictions.
On the other hand, there are plenty of attractive exotics that attract birds, don't require heavy watering, and aren't invasive. Try loquat, firespike, and shrimp plant (great for hummingbirds).
It's simple-minded to assume that "native" means "good choice." Ask your nursery or extension service to recommend drought-tolerant, non-invasive plants, regardless of origin.

by ballroom16 at 3:25 PM on 27 Aug 2007

Not Just a Garden

Great article, Umbra. One of the reasons I love wildlife-friendly gardening is that it's not just about putting together a collection of plants. It's a lot more challenging--and interesting--than that. To provide havens for birds and other wildlife, we actually need to create miniature versions of they ecosystems to which they're adapted. We may not be able to duplicate what was there before (in fact, we probably can't), but we can try to develop communities of plants and animals that are suitable for our sites as they are now. And as you point out, if we work primarily with native plants, we can often create oases that are desperately needed by the most vulnerable of these creatures. Sometimes this is easier than "regular" gardening (as you point out, native plants are often a lot easier to care for), but it also requires a great deal of patience, knowledge, and understanding. Gardens, gardeners, and gardening are great. But wildlife-friendly gardens, gardeners, and gardening are so much more!

Wild Flora http://www.wildgardeners.blogspot.com

by Wild Flora at 6:28 PM on 27 Aug 2007

classes

Also, keep an eye out for gardening classes on how to create a backyard habitat. I took a great one here in VT that was offered by the NWF and Gardener's Supply. The class emphasized native species b/c of their ease and guaranteeing a food supply for native animals. But it also provided a good list of non-native invasive species to avoid. I agree that you don't always have to plant native species but if you're going to do that you need to be aware of what might be invasive, what might not provide food to animals and also crowd out plants that do provide food, etc. It just takes a little more effort.

And if you find the class, we got as an added bonus Mr. Mizejewski's book in our materials. It is a very useful book.

by latenac at 5:24 AM on 28 Aug 2007

more words on birds

Thanks, Umbra, for propagating (sorry) this information. The additional comments and links are great, too. Don't forget that butterflies also benefit from native plantings, and can make one's back yard a glorious place to be near. To ballroom 16, I would say that a properly designed native plant garden takes into consideration the conditions at the site, and native wetland plants would not be suggested for dry yards. There are native plants for the different conditions in every region, and just because a plant is native, doesn't mean it will thrive if you plant it in the wrong place. It will be more likely to thrive, however, than the exotic, if planted in its proper setting. The other thing worth mentioning is that although there are many plants which provide nectar, including exotices, most butterflies and moths have very specific host plants, and will not reproduce in the yard if the host plants are not present. Many exotics provide nectar, but the caterpillars think their leaves are yucky.
Best,
szaino

by szaino at 6:42 AM on 28 Aug 2007

natives and exotics

You should be very careful when planting exotics. They might appear valuable at first, but can result in severely harmful unintended consequences.

Two examples:

Birds apparently prefer to nest in exotic honeysuckles because the shrubs leaf out early and the branches readily facilitate nest construction. However, nests in honeysuckles -- vs. native shrubs -- are built lower and are more susceptible to predation. Thus, fewer birds actually fledge. What appears wonderful, the birds happily nesting in exotic shrubs, is an ecological death trap.

There is an exotic vine -- I don't recall the name -- moving eastward across North America. Looks beautiful and Monarchs lay their eggs on it. The vine is in the milkweed family. Oooohhh... look at all the Monarchs around the beautiful vine! Well, the caterpillars can't feed on the vine. They die. Ecological death trap.

When planting exotic species you believe are good for wildlife, you should really devote time to observing the animals and plants for at least one entire year. Is there a healthy relationship or are you throwing an unexpected wrench into the natural ecosystem. Make sure the animals truly benefit.

Sort of like humans clustering around fast food joints and then perishing from cardiovascular problems. Exotics appear to offer what animals want, but are detrimental to numerous species in the long run.

by wiscidea at 8:40 AM on 28 Aug 2007
[ Parent ]

drought-tolerant natives

States are enormous geographic regions containing all sorts of ecological niches from wet to dry.

When selecting native plants for my own yard in Wisconsin, I eventually identified about a dozen trees and shrubs suitable for the dry sandy soil around my home. There is a larger number that tolerate drought conditions but prefer moist areas. You can't just grab any plant growing within 50 miles and assume it will grow right where you live. For example, beech trees grow along the shore of Lake Michigan, but they don't belong in southwest Wisconsin! Furthermore, there are several temperature zones across the state. I live in zone 4b, so won't be planting trees and shrubs native to Wisconsin but found in zone 5a or 5b.

I suggest contacting your local department of natural resources and university if you are having trouble selecting native plants suitable for your soil conditions. They are very helpful people.

It might be difficult. But the better way is not necessarily the easier way.

by wiscidea at 8:58 AM on 28 Aug 2007
[ Parent ]

You mean I have to put forth effort??

Thank you to both Umbra and to Wiscidea for their comments regarding planting native non-invasive plant species in a yard type setting. It is very heartening to hear of so many people around the country buying into this as not only a means of attracting desirable wildlife, but also for practical reasons such as water conservation and decreased need for fertilizers and herbicides/pesticides.

This is not a difficult project to get off the ground, but it will require considerable research prior to implementation. Be mindful of variation within geographic regions that other posts have mentioned ( coasts, elevation, precipitation extremes), as well as potential problems like the Emerald Ash borer and Dutch Elm disease.

To ballroom16 I would say be very very careful trying to use exotic plants species to accomplish the above goals. See Wiscidea's first comment for just a few reasons why this is a bad idea.

Happy planting!

by econpolyeco at 9:32 AM on 28 Aug 2007

westward

The vine is moving westward. Sorry. Compelled to corrrect error.

by wiscidea at 12:38 PM on 28 Aug 2007

wildlife habitat

I am so pleased to see more and more people wanting to provide habitat for animals instead of just dumping food on them. Living next door to an "animal lover" who can't bear to see a wild bird or squirrel have to forage, she feeds them twice a day.

Not only do our crows carry west nile, and our squirrels' fleas bubonic plague, but, she is helping the populations of the wildlife to outgrow and destroy their habitat.

It just makes me glad to know there are people out there who put the animals best interest at heart. Thanks! Gene

by Gene at 2:00 PM on 28 Aug 2007

Attracting Wildlife

I must somehow find a way for HomeDepot, Rite-Aid, WalMart and Target and many more read these wonderful accounts. I see bags of bird seed and backyard wildlife food in great piles at these stores. I have emailed the management and been given lipservice. It's just too cool to see people on the right track! I learned alot tonight catching up with all the input. I will put off cleaning up the property till spring! Gene

by Gene at 6:57 PM on 14 Nov 2007

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More Words on Birds