Succulent berries ripe on the vine; rosy red fruits dangling from branches; thickets of ornamental grasses; seed laden perennial flowers...Whether your green space consists of a condominium courtyard or a multiple acre estate; when you increase the proportion of land dedicated to garden areas, the birds are sure to follow! Adding birds to your property will yield many rewards - with their playful antics, beautiful songs and brilliant colors, it is no wonder backyard bird watching is such a popular pastime. Their appetite for insects and other garden pests make birds our welcome garden allies as they help maintain the ecological balance of outdoor environments, and even in the cold of winter, birds add warmth and life to our homes. On the other hand, every farmer knows to place a scarecrow in his corn field, and we have all seen the Hitchcock-like gathering of blackbirds near local intersections and parking lots. Too many feathered friends of a single flock can be devastating to the gardener trying to attract a rich diversity of song birds to their property or raise food crops in their yard.With a little planning, your outdoor spaces can accommodate a diverse population of birds -without endangering any desirable fruits or vegetables you have planted. The secret is to create a suitable variety of habitats. Like all creatures, birds are naturally enticed by areas that provide food, water and shelter. Water is the easiest resource to (provide) through birdbaths or small water gardens. Birdbaths are simple, attractive additions to garden spaces, and many beautiful examples are available that can be a work of art as well as a functional piece for the landscape. Placing a fresh water source for birds on your property will help draw them to that particular area when they are thirsty, instead of eating the juicy berries and fruits you were saving for yourself!
(We always have an assortment of hand crafted bird baths on hand at Forgotten Works Garden Gallery!)
Understanding the food and shelter needs of birds means studying their habitats a bit more closely and mimicking nature where possible. Not to worry though: they don't require perfection, they like it a little messy, and they are extremely adaptable. Beautiful bird sanctuaries can be achieved in any landscape by applying three, easy, A-B-C suggestions:
A- "All natural". Consider converting as much land space as possible from lawn to garden beds. Birds are more attracted to wild areas than neatly manicured grass, and while a lawn is important for entertaining and play, most of us have more than we need. Also, eliminate the chemicals. Pesticides are toxic to birds, so transitioning to an organic program that includes greater plant diversity, good compost and mulch for healthy soils, and native/ adapted plant species will all benefit and attract a wide variety of bird species.
B- "Berries and seeds". Provide natural food sources for birds instead of or in addition to using bird feeders. Blackberries are a natural choice, as are roses, hollies and other thorny plants that create a safe haven for nesting as well as food. Also remember food in the form of fruits and nuts (persimmon and pecan for example), seeds (echinacea, zinnia, and sunflower varieties), nectar (sages and mints), sap, and a wide variety of the insects that associate with those plants. The larger the variety of plants you grow, the more different kinds of birds your yard will attract. Diversity means many choices, and the more choices you offer the wildlife, the less likely they are to become overpopulated or destructive to select crops.
C- "Create layers". From the canopy to the floor, think of your garden in terms of vertical selections. Use tall trees in the background, understory shrubs beneath them, and a variety of grasses and low growing plants as accents and features close to outdoor living spaces. Plants provide nest sites and nest material, as well as protected hiding places; be sure that tree dwellers have a habitat along with ground species. Work some evergreen varieties into your landscape for winter coverage (and a boost of green during cold, gray days), and remember to leave the garden floor messy! Leaves, twigs and other 'floor' debris provide nest materials and feeding sources for your birds.
If your feathered friends do help themselves to more of your fruit and vegetables than they are welcome, try deterring them by tying bright, shiny objects (old CD's) in your crops, or put nets over fruits as they ripen (old sheers work wonderfully). More determined species can be averted with a plastic snake from the toy store, or special bird-deterring devices like inflatable owls from garden centers. And don't forget the old fashioned scarecrow: a fun family project that is just 'for the birds'!
