The Bird-Friendly Garden

(Page 4 of 4)

June/July 2001
By Kris Wetherbee 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Brush piles can be alluring spots for some birds to nest and rest. Unpruned shrubs, like the blackberry vines near our garden, offer more niches and crannies for birds to hide. As well as providing cover, they're also a good food source. As long as there is no threat to people or property, let dead or dying trees stay. Hollow trees give bluebirds, woodpeckers, owls and other cavity-nesting birds a place to roost at night. Dead or dying trees are nutritional goldmines, providing an environment for beneficial fungi as well as tunneling insects and grubs that hide beneath the bark.

RELATED CONTENT

You should even leave some areas implanted. Choose a sunny location and create a dustbath for birds by allowing a small area to remain bare. Let a few of last year's vines and perennial stalks linger so they can serve as nesting material for birds in spring. I once left a burlap sack in the garden only to discover a chickadee pulling out the fibers to use in building its nest.

In no time at all you'll have a garden full of creature comforts that attract a variety of birds. And while they're enjoying the amenities, treat yourself to a pair of binoculars, a tall cool drink and that ever-cozy hammock. After all, you'll need a place of your own where you can simply relax and watch your new feathered friends at work.

Related info:

Basics to Birds

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.