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Topic: Water Features



Date Posted: Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.sctimes.com/story/sports/outdoors/2015/02/28/want-bird...


Want birds? Incorporate native plants, water features


Want birds? Incorporate native plants, water features

JAN BERGSTROM

The cold February turned birders’ thoughts to the warmer times to come.

The spring migration is already on, with Arctic birds passing through. Many of our favorite summer residents will soon be blessing us with their presence. If we get average March temperatures, bluebirds, robins, great blue herons, Canada geese, red-winged blackbirds and others will be back by the middle of the month.

Now is the time to develop blueprints for the bird sanctuaries we love to provide for them in our yards.

Think about your garden design. Start your seedlings indoors in the next few weeks, or peruse the gardening catalogs to create a layout and order the plants for it.

Most gardeners plant exotic, non-native species, which are of little value to local wildlife.

Birds have evolved to recognize native plants as both sources of seed and a source of local insects that feed upon their leaves. These insects are essential to the survival of baby birds, and as the parents gather food for the babies, they provide safe and natural pest control in your gardens.

Native plants need little water and no fertilizer, creating a healthy, low-maintenance bird sanctuary. Bird-friendly native wildflowers include showy goldenrod, large-leaved aster and purple coneflower.

Native shrubs and trees provide a number of benefits, including shelter, food and nesting sites. Climate changes seem to indicate our summers will be drier in years to come. Be sure to choose species with low moisture requirements.

It is best to choose wildflowers, trees and shrubs from nurseries that specialize in locally grown native plants, as they are best adapted to local climate and soils. Employees at native plant nurseries are also knowledgeable about which plants are best for attracting birds.

Water gardens draw birds like a magnet.

Any size of water feature will work. The water portion should be shallow, not more than 3 inches deep with gradually sloping sides. You will need to fill it more often, but will be rewarded with the usual yard birds as well as some less commonly seen birds, such as scarlet tanagers, ovenbirds, black-and-white warblers, yellow warblers and gray catbirds. Surround the water feature with dense native plantings. Keeping a relatively clear spot for viewing will attract even more birds.

Bird baths are always a good choice if a water garden is not practical.

These, too, should be very shallow. Birds are reluctant to get into deeper water, as they often cannot get out and may drown. Choose baths made from plastic, glass or concrete. Steer away from baths that have been painted or are made of metal that may rust. These may be harmful to birds.

Now is also the time to think about changing your seed.

If you have a bird feeder in your garden, switch over to sunflower chips. Sunflower requires a shell to sprout. Feeding only chips will ensure the seed does not grow in your garden. Hulled sunflower also contains far fewer weed seeds than sunflower with the shells.

As it gets warmer, goldfinches will tend to prefer nyjer seed over sunflower. Nyjer needs to be fresh to attract birds. Be sure to buy only high quality nyjer, as the birds tend to be a little fussier about this seed.

If you feed raw suet, switch over to processed suet cakes. Raw suet goes rancid in weather above freezing. Processed cakes will remain palatable for a longer period of time, but must still be monitored for any signs of mildew, mold or rancidity.

Spend what remains of a winter that has worn out its welcome thinking about the joys of spring. Plan now, and you will be rewarded with many bird visitors when the warm weather finally returns.

This is the opinion of Jan Bergstrom, whose column appears the first Sunday of each month in Our Woods & Waters. She welcomes questions and comments atjanbergstrom2@gmail.com.



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