Ten Ways to Help Migrating and Nesting Birds
1. Use native
plants: The most important thing you can do to help your feathered visitors is
to incorporate as many native plantings in your yard as possible. Only native
plants host the insect biomass required by our migrating and nesting birds.
Many birds survive either largely or exclusively on insects, and virtually ALL
nesting birds must have insects for their young. These insects provide
necessary protein for nestling development. Non-native plants host a fraction
of the insects that area supported by native plants.
**NOTE: Use only
plants native to your region. For more information about the relationship
between native plants, insects and birds, read Bringing Nature Home by
Douglas Tallamy.
The Whooping Crane pictured at right lives with its mate in a small North American prairie and wetland enclosure at the International Crane Fountation. The rich diversity of fauna supported by these native habitats provides more than half the cranes' nutritional requirements, attesting to the great value of native plants.
2. Plant large trees along the sides and back of your yard: Large trees, such as oaks, maples and conifers, provide stopover sites for warblers, vireos and orioles. Orioles may stay to nest, even in relatively urban areas.
3. Create a thicket: Dense plantings of cedars, serviceberries, dogwoods, viburnams, blackberries and other shrubs and brambles native to your area provide cover, food and nesting sites for a wide variety of birds like buntings, some sparrows and some warblers.
4. Make a hummingbird garden: Columbine, cardinal flower, blazing star, new England Aster, spotted jewelweed and other native flowers will attract and feed not only hummers but also butterflies.
5. Provide a water feature: Birds need water and you can meet that need with something as simple as a birdbath made from a shallow planter saucer or as complex as an elaborate waterfall, stream and pond setup. The essential element is to keep the water clean for your feathered visitors. Birds, like humans, pass diseases through unclean feeding and watering places.
6. Save dead trees: Most owls, a number of ducks, all woodpeckers, nuthatches, bluebirds, titmice, some flycatchers, tree swallows, all chickadees, several wrens and two North American warbler species depend on cavities in dead and dying trees for nest sites. While some of the above species accept artificial nesting boxes, many will not. Leaving standing dead timber that does not threaten life, limb or personal property is essential for those birds. If you have no dead trees, add nest boxes.
7. Use the TBBH nest box: If you have bluebirds, protect nestlings from predators and death by heat stress by using the Tree Branch Bluebird House.
8. Offer nesting material: Place clean pet fur (avoid fur that has been
sprayed with parasiticides) in a small suet basket and hang on tree limb for
birds to use in nest construction.
**Note: Avoid lint, string or twine as
they do not shed water and can soak the nest after a rain.
9. Keep your
cats indoors! Domestic and feral cars kill many millions of birds annually.
The National Wildlife Federation, Audubon, the American Bird Conservancy, and
Saving Birds Thru Habitat are just some of the groups calling for keeping
kitty indoors - not just because it saves birds, but also because it is
healthier for your pets.
10. About
feeding: Make hummer nectar by using 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Bring
solution to full boil, and then offer only small amounts as artificial nectars
ferment quickly. Do not add anything to nectar, including food colorings.
Never use honey. Do NOT offer commercial hummer foods that often contain
chemical preservatives and/or food coloring. Also, do NOT offer jams or
jellies to orioles. Yes, the birds love it, but it is unhealthy for them. Keep
seed feeders well cleaned and keep seeds fresh. Place feeders near shrubs to
provide shelter from avian predators.
Because habitat loss looms so large for those species of birds, amphibians, insects and others that are experiencing population declines, it is essential that we get a handle on those alien plants that are invading what otherwise would be good habitats.
In areas of limited size, such as backyards and other small landscapes, hand pulling or covering unwanted plants can be effective. But when dealing with large spaces, herbiciding is usually warranted.
Audubon magazine’s Editor-at-Large Ted Williams wrote this article about resistance to herbicide use.
Buy Shade Coffee to further promote healthy habitat.