The Birmingham News – al.com, AL – Oct 27, 2014
Saturday, October 27, 2014
A.While not being an exact science, attracting birds can be done most anywhere as long as you spend a little time and effort understanding what birds want and need. A well-planned landscape that provides the proper habitat is the key. Providing food, water, shelter and a place to nest will reward you with lots of backyard birds.
A good idea is to research what species of birds are likely to be found in your area. While researching, note whether the birds are ground feeders, the kinds of food they eat, their choice of water sources, and the shelter and nesting sites they prefer. This will allow you to plan a landscape accordingly.
Without doubt, the greater variety of plants you grow will result in a greater number of birds. A plus or a minus may be that other wildlife will also be attracted.
The best plants for birds will be those that produce fruit and berries along with those that may be insect hosts (can you say balanced diet?). Also important is that your garden design provide year-round food, even if it requires using feeders.
Just as important to our feathered friends is having “edges” in the landscape. Edges are those spaces where trees and shrubs border open spaces, allowing birds to have a protective cover to roost, nest and raise their young while being near an open area to feed. Evergreens and deciduous plants should be added to provide nesting sites, perching places and protection. The evergreens are important for the birds to have winter cover. Shade and protection from wind and rain should not be forgotten.
Each bird species should be treated individually. A design that has multiple attractions (i.e., food, cover, climate modification, perching sites, etc.) will give you a greater variety of species. Birds visualize their environment primarily toward site and sound, so if they like what they see and hear, they may decide to stay.
Patience is a must, as attracting birds for the long run will not be an overnight success. We must remember that no matter how good we make it, birds are wild creatures and are not easy to predict. Our hope is that they will fly by, check it out and decide to hang out for a while. If this happens, you have done your homework and can expect to be entertained for years to come. Garden Talk is written by David Hubbard of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, which is based at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This column includes research-based information from land-grant universities around the country, including Alabama A&M University and Auburn University. Call 879-6964 or mail questions to 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223.
