There are numerous ways in which you can change your backyard into an inviting sanctuary where birds can come to nest, raise their young, and seek shelter during winter. For starters you need to ask yourself a few questions, which are:
1. Are there places for birds to hide? Songbirds need protective covering from such enemies as cats, snakes, and hawks.
2. Are there places for birds to nest? Birds during the breeding season will pick your yard for mating if you have some of the following: trees, shrubs, hedges, brambles, and vines in which to nest.
3. Are there sheltered areas where birds can protect themselves from the elements? Areas that can protect the birds from the cold, wind, and rain include evergreens and shrubs planted against walls and other sheltered areas.
4. Is there food and water? Such requirements can be provided by bird feeders and bird baths which have been mentioned on the previous web page. You can attract birds without the use of such structures by planting plants that provide natural food sources such as flower nectar, grass seed heads, fruits, berries, and which attract insects. You can also build a small pond, pool or puddle to attract birds as well as an assortment of wildlife, including frogs, toads, and dragonflies.
When planning a landscape that is attractive to birds you need to do the following:
1. Take an inventory of your home and yard. Make a rough plan of your yard on paper, drawing in the trees and shrubs that are already present and which you want to keep, also make an outline of your house, garage, windows, paths, etc.other things to note are: pleasant views you want to keep, changes in elevation, soil differences, and shade patterns which all may affect planting should be taken into account, and consider wind and rain protection (i.e. which side of the slope will be warmer, and where will the best drainage occur).
2. Take a note of what grows well in your area. You can visit local gardens and natural areas to see what grows in the area. Take special note of which trees grow in your area because they can tell you a lot about which plants will grow best. Examples of this are
1. Pine trees indicate that native plants which love shade and an acid soil will thrive.
2. Beech trees indicate that plants that thrive in semi-shade and a less acid soil will be more appropriate.
3. Maple trees indicate a more neutral soil.
The most effective birdscapes seem to grow out local woods or other vegetation. One way to find out which plants are the best suited for your area is to contact a local wildflower society. On the east coast the following should be contacted: the North Carolina Wildflower Preservation Society, the New England Wildflower Society, or one that is closer to home the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Other helpful contacts are: your local extension agent, state college of agriculture and state foresters.
3. After steps 2 and 3 are completed you then must narrow the list but don't make your choices to narrow. The reason for this is a diversity of plants will encourage a diversity of insects, fruits and flowers, so the most bird species will be attracted. Select plants that will provide alternate layers of foliage such as growing tall trees with shorter trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ground covers. Group shrubs in natural-looking drifts, mixing early-fruiting shrubs with shrubs that hold their fruits throughout the winter, the reason for this is to create a garden that's attractive to look at and useful to birds in all seasons.
4. Create an "edge effect" by planning your lawn with informal curved borders, and breaking it up with gardens, shrubs, trees, and ground cover such a plan creates an environment that is desired by most types of birds.
5. Leave an area undisturbed for nesting , especially when incorporating paths in your design.
Other noteworthy suggestions for attracting birds are to:
1. Provide a protective cover for birds by planting a hemlock hedge or thick stand of evergreen conifers such as white pine, spruces and junipers. An overgrown thicket in a corner of the garden will provide protective cover for birds. This can be accomplished by planting honeysuckle, native blackberry or raspberry and native rose in close proximity to each other. Broad leaved evergreen shrubs or vines can also be used for year round shelter. These shrubs should be allowed to form dense clumps or masses in some parts of the garden. An old tree stump can also be useful by planting ivy plants around the base and training them over the trunk.
2. Provide a variety of places to build their nests, this can include trees, shrubs, vines, and tall grasses, but may also incorporate dead trees, or dead limbs on a tree. You can create nesting holes in dead trees or tree limbs by using a brace and bit. Many birds make nests in tangled thickets and shrubbery which you can create by planting native roses, blackberries, raspberries and honeysuckle together.
An effective nesting thicket should be at least 8 feet wide and 3 to 15 feet tall. An evergreen hedge of conifers will attract a different array of bird species, such as the blue jay for instance. Tree-nesting birds build their nests in a crotch or fork of the tree or saddled on the limb, at heights from 3 feet to 50 feet or more above ground. To increase the number of nesting sites you can prune the plants in early spring or autumn to create the wider crotch angles desires by a number of birds.
3. Select garden plants that will provide a succession of flowering, fruiting, and seed set to increase the variety of birds that visit your site. By choosing plants that provide food during every season your garden will attract birds throughout the year, even in winter. Bird feeders are an important source of food as well and they are presented on the previous web page.
4. Bird baths are important for providing water which is essential for the bird. Information on bird baths can be found on the previous web page.
Other area landscapes that could become attractive to birds are: City Parks, street plantings, freeway borders, and school grounds.
If there are local areas that shelter wildlife you can work to have these areas preserved before they are threatened. You can do this by contacting a state conservation agency, or a national environmental organization such as the Audubon Society or Nature Conservancy. The reclamation of abandoned sites, such as old mining pits and quarries, could provide valuable wildlife habitat with appropriate plantings. These places can also serve as ideal sanctuaries for wild birds.
Other information about natural habitats in the area are:
The Audubon Naturalist Society, a non-profit membership organization serving residents of the Washington metropolitan region, seeks to increase environmental awareness and understanding and to encourage action on a local level. The organization was founded in 1897 and it links natural history studies with conservation activities and offers a variety of resources and programs. Education provided through the group includes: Nature programs for all ages, Adult forays, Natural History Field Studies, Audubon Lectures, Teacher training, School Programs. Besides education the organization is involved in exploring the natural landscape and the protection of the environment . The group has been involved in the saving of the C&O Canal park, the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay shoreline and wetland protection laws, beach and stream restoration and clean-up projects, legislation to provide adequate funding for land acquisition, and breeding bird surveys and winter counts to assess long-term effects of environmental trends. The organization also actively promotes recycling, reduction and reuse to help control waste, opposes destructive roads and encourages more sensitive development, and seeks to reduce the use of pesticides and promote more careful methods of pest control.
For more information on all local field trips, forays, and extended tours, contact the education office at: 1-(301)-652-5964. To find out how to become a member and any other questions or comments call: 1-(301)-652-9188.
Gardens for specific animals:
A garden that is attractive to a butterfly can be created by keeping a few things in mind such as:
A hummingbird garden has to meet a variety requirements.
For examples of butterfly and hummingbird gardens check out the ones located behind the Nature Center at Piney Run Park (for information on Piney Run Park see its web page) or Hashawa
Local Nurseries to help you get a head start are:
Rolling Hills Nursery. Sykesville, MD 795-5056.
Carroll Gardens. Westminster, MD 848-5422.
Sun Nursery. Woodbine, MD 442-2090
Brice Nursery. Randallstown, MD 655-2012
Chapman Gardens. Randallstown, MD 922-5751
Tannenhoff Nurseries. Hampstead, MD 239-8019
Sources:
Adams, George. Birdscaping Your Garden. Rodale Press. Emmaus, Pennsylvania. 1994.
The Audubon Naturalist Society brochure.
Gardening for Butterflies and Hummingbirds a brochure by Geralyn D. Flaim.
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Biodiversity in Carroll County