Wet or dry? How damp is the soil? Do you have to water frequently to keep grass alive? Does the soil remain wet for long periods of time? You may find that different areas of your yard are wetter than others, and require different plant choices.Sun or shade? How much of the planting area is covered in shade? Is it shaded all-day, only sometimes, or never at all? Plants are usually labeled as growing best in full-sun, partial shade, or full shade, so knowing this will help you choose plants that will do well. If you need help, check the native plants database Local Resource tab: Your local Audubon or native plant society may be able to provide advice. Take stock of the plants you've already got: Your yard may already include native plants that birds love.Think of your garden as a habitat that you are creating to provide birds with food, shelter, and nesting sites throughout the year. ( Learn more about creating a habitat specifically for hummingbirds.) Flowers in the aster family, such as coneflowers, asters, and Joe-Pye Weed are very attractive to insect pollinators like butterflies, moths, and bees, in addition to providing seeds for birds. Nectar: Red tubular flowers such as native columbine, penstemon, and honeysuckle serve up nectar for hummingbirds.Nuts and seeds: Trees such as oaks, hickories, and walnuts provide fat and protein rich food that birds hide, or "cache," to provide food through the cold winter. Native sunflowers, asters, and coneflowers produce loads of tiny seeds that are finch and sparrow favorites.Fruit: Many shrubs and small trees provide berries that ripen at different times, so include seasonal variety: serviceberry and cherry for birds during the breeding season and summer dogwood and spicebush for songbirds flying south cedar and holly trees to sustain birds through cold winter days and nights.Bugs: Native trees such as oaks, willows, birches, and maples, and native herbaceous plants such as goldenrod, milkweed, and sunflowers host many caterpillar species that are a vital source of protein for birds, especially during the breeding season.As you make your selections, think about providing the following food groups: You can search our native plants database for listings of the best bird- and wildlife-friendly plants for your area, as well as a list of native plant nurseries and other resources near you. Choose Native Plantsįocus on native plants that provide a good variety of bird food throughout the year for nesting, migrating, and wintering birds. The secret to success lies in choosing locally native plants, which brim with nutritious insects, berries, nectar, and seeds and give birds vital refuge. Even very small patches of habitat provide tired, hungry birds with exactly what they need, particularly during migration. If you don’t have a yard, you can still help birds by creating a native plant container garden on your patio or balcony. In the face of these threats, you can help birds thrive right where you live by making your yard more bird-friendly. Follow the steps below to create a patch of vibrant habitat that attracts colorful birds and their sweet melodies. Birds are nature’s messengers, and they're broadcasting loud and clear: They are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change and habitat loss, and these dangers will only grow over time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |