Mark Johns
·
Set a budget and stick to it. You can
plan for one season, or better yet 3-5 years.
Your major expense (besides tools you may need) if you do the work
yourself will be plants and landscaping supplies.
· Make a plan. List what you have, and list what you will need to improve your property for birds. Put your property design on paper (make a drawing) and put in all of the inventoried food, water, cover and potential nesting sites for birds. This will help you understand what is missing in your backyard. All birds need particular aspects of food, water, cover and places to raise young in your backyard. Consider what bird species you wish to attract to your backyard habitat.
1-Ruby-throated Hummingbird: This is the breeding hummingbird of North Carolina. A variety of hummingbird feeders can be bought and stocked with plain sugar water (a quarter cup of sugar for each cup of water), and many plants can provide natural nectar sources for hummers in your yard. Try and plant nectar sources that will provide food (bloom) throughout the breeding season and migration periods. Fresh fruit pieces will attract orioles, catbirds, tanagers, some warblers and mockingbirds. Some warblers and orioles will visit nectar feeders.
Hummingbird food
sources
Bee Balm Bleeding Heart
Cardinal Flower Columbine
Jewelweed Penstemon spp.
Coral Honeysuckle Trumpet Creeper
Wild Azalea Buckeye
Hawthorn Crossvine
2-Bluebirds: Bluebirds need open spaces to hunt for small critters on or near the ground. They will also eat fruits, so you can plant certain woody plants to provide natural bluebird food. Nesting opportunities can be provided by putting up bluebird boxes with predator guards on poles along wood edges or in open spaces in your backyard.
Bluebird food
plants
Dogwoods Red Cedar
Hollies Chokeberry
Viburnums Elderberry
Blueberries Spicebush
3-Purple Martins: These birds feed on flying insects, especially large ones, and need martin houses or gourds for nesting. Make sure to take down these nesting structures down or close the holes after martins leave in late summer to head back to the tropics so that nuisance birds like house sparrows and starlings can’t use the structures.
4-Chimney Swifts: These birds feed on small flying insects and spiderlings and nest in brick chimneys. They are present during late spring, summer and fall in our area. To keep out unwanted chimney swifts you would have to cap your chimney before they arrive in early April. Migrating swifts in fall will roost in larger chimneys in impressive numbers. Chimney swift towers can be built to provide additional roosting chances.
Other Birds
Some people prefer to provide additional foods in the form of seeds to attract seedeaters like goldfinches, cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, doves and juncos. The best seed for your money is black oil sunflower, in that it attracts a wide variety of birds. Quality seed mixes will have black oil sunflower, striped sunflower, sunflower chips, safflower (squirrels, grackles and other blackbirds tend not to eat) and white millet. Many people feed niger (thistle) to attract finches, and cracked corn, peanuts and peanuts in the shell can round out the menu in your feeders. A variety of feeder types and positions in your backyard work best. Planting hard mast species can also provide food for woodpeckers, blue jays, nuthatches, and many other birds. Some good species to plant are oaks, hickories, beech, ashes, hazelnut, American hornbeam and hop-hornbeam
Offering suet in your backyard can really draw in the birds. Suet is a high-energy food that can now even be offered in certain forms in warmer weather. It will often attract birds that otherwise would not come to feeders. Display in cages to keep squirrels out of your suet if they are a problem. In bear country, feeding suet might not be a good option.
To attract fruit eating birds (many warbler species, tanagers, orioles, bluebirds, robins, cedar waxwings and many more species) you can certainly feed dried or fresh fruits at feeding stations. A Better plan is to stock your backyard with native fruit bearing shrubs, vines and trees. Be careful with many shrubs in that they “sucker” and are best not planted along wooded edges.
Fruit Sources
for Birds
Dogwoods Blueberries Viburnums
Chokeberry Wild Plum Blueberries
Wild Grape Spicebush Huckleberries
Blackgum Red Cedar Cherries
Paw-paw Persimmon Serviceberry
Carolina Rose Sassafras Devil’s walkingstick
Active Management
General Habitat
Needs
All bird species require four basic elements to survive and prosper in your backyard: FOOD, COVER, WATER and AREAS TO REPRODUCE AND RAISE YOUNG.
FOOD: The ideal wildlife management plan supplies as much food as possible through vegetation to meet year-round needs of a wide variety of species. Shrubs, trees, vines and other native plants that produce foods such as acorns, nuts, berries, seeds, buds, and nectar should be spaced throughout your property in a visually appealing manner. Food sources can be supplemented in winter with feeders, and hummer feeders can add important sugar water energy sources for your hummingbirds.
COVER: Wildlife need places to hide form predators, get out of rough weather, or just rest! Cover can be provided in a variety of ways. Plants that provide food can also offer cover. Dense shrubs or trees, especially evergreen species can provide thermal refuge year-round. Hollow logs, brush piles, stone walls and patches of early successional thickets or meadow all can provide important cover for birds. Include plants in your backyard that range in size and density from evergreen shrubs to large trees.
WATER: Birds do need water for drinking or bathing. Water can be supplied in a birdbath, small pool, recirculating waterfall, shallow dish or dripping hose. Provide elevated water sources for some protection from cats and other predators. Water will draw unusual birds into your yard. A dependable year-round water source is best, and keeping it clean is important. Bird bath heaters or removal of ice may be needed in cold weather.
NESTING (Places to Raise Young): A specific type of cover is needed to provide birds with chances to reproduce and raise young. Bird houses and nest shelves can be attached to posts or even parts of your house. Of course, dense shrubbery and trees provides chances for nesting. Certain species will nest in brush piles, like Carolina wrens. Many of the smaller plants (especially ferns) in your backyard can provide nesting materials.
Plant Species
Options
Wildflowers: Wildflowers are pleasing to look at in addition to their value for birds. Select a variety of species that bloom throughout the growing season, and try some species in massive clumps and others in multi-species layers around your backyard area. Strive for a mix of heights and colors. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different positions in your yard in terms of sun exposure and moisture regarding suggested species. Strive to use native wildflowers as much as possible, and check with nurseries for planting details.
Species Growth Conditions Bird Benefits
Wild Columbine full sun, well-drained hummers
(Aquilegia canadensis) spring-summer
Great Aster full sun, well-drained seedeaters
(Aster grandiflorus) fall
New England Aster part to full sun, moist seedeaters
(Aster novae-angliae) fall
Showy Aster part to full sun, well-drained seedeaters
(Aster spectabilis) late summer-fall
Coreopsis full sun, well-drained seedeaters
(Coreopsis lanceolata) spring-summer
Whorled Coreopsis part to full sun, well-drained seedeaters
(Coreopsis verticillata) summer
Purple Coneflower full sun, moist-well-drained seedeaters
(Echinacea purpurea) summer
Joe Pye Weed part sun to full sun, moist seedeaters
(Eupatorium purpureum) summer-fall
Sunflower part to full sun, moist-well-drained seedeaters
(Helianthus angustifolius) summer-fall
Blazing Star part to full sun, wet-well-drained seedeaters
(Liatris spicata) summer-fall
Cardinal Flower part sun to full sun, moist hummers
(Lobelia cardinalis) summer-fall
Bee Balm full sun, moist-well-drained hummers
(Monarda didyma) summer
Wild Bergamont part to full sun, moist-well-drained hummers
(Monarda fistulosa) summer
Penstemon part-full sun, moist hummers
(Penstemon laevigatus) summer
Phlox part to full sun, moist-well-drained hummers
(Phlox paniculata) summer
Green Coneflower shade to full sun, wet-moist seedeaters
(Rudbeckia laciniata) summer-fall
Rough Goldenrod shade to sun, moist-well-drained seedeaters
(Solidago rugosa) late summer-fall
Ironweed shade to sun, wet-moist seedeaters
(Vernonia noveboracensis) summer-fall
Woody Plants: (Trees, shrub and vines for birds) Woody plants can provide food, cover and places for birds to nest. Placement can be important based on the SIZE that the species can reach at maturity. Certain trees have root systems that can creep into substructural parts of building if planted to close, and many shrubs readily sucker sprout so are better placed where they can “spread” as they wish! Be warned that only the “females” of some species produce fruit, like Red Cedar and Hollies.
Trees
Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Rapid growth, great fall color, can tolerate wet conditions, seeds are food for some birds
River Birch (Betula nigra) Rapid growth, tolerates wet soils, fruits and buds are food for some birds
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis) Wet to well-drained sites, nuts are food for woodpeckers, blue jays, nuthatches
Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) Fairly rapid growth,wet to well-drained sites, fruits eaten by a variety of birds in summer and early fall migration
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) Female trees have fruits (large berry) that are relished by a variety of birds and other wildlife in late summer and fall, sucker sprouts vigorously
Beech (Fagus grandifolia) Slow growth, moist to well-drained sites, beech nuts eaten by a variety of birds such as woodpeckers, tufted titmouse, nuthatches, blue jay
Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) Rapid growth, moist to well-drained sites, golden fall color, seeds eaten by some birds and hummers (and honeybees!) utilize the spring flowers for a nectar source
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) Rapid growth, best in open, sunny situations, many birds eat the fruits in late spring, a fungus (black knot) sometimes infects branches
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) Decent growth rate, well-drained sites, great fall color, acorns are valuable food for many birds and other wildlife
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) and Water Oak (Quercus nigra) Rapid growth for an oak, moist to well-drained sites, small acorns eaten by a variety of birds and other wildlife
White Oak (Quercus alba) Well-drained sites, acorns are food for birds and other wildlife
Black Willow (Salix nigra) Rapid growth, wet sites (great streambank stabilizer), flowers eaten by some birds
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) Rapid growth if in full sun, great fall color, often sucker sprouts, fruit are food for many birds in summer
Small Trees
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) Fruits are eaten by many birds in summer
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) Large leaves and unique flowers, moist sites, fruits eaten by many birds and other wildlife
Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana) Moist sites, seeds food for some birds
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) Well-drained sites best, fruits are eaten by many birds in fall and early winter
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) Moist sites best, semi-evergreen foliage, many birds eat the seeds
Hop-Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) Moist to well-drained sites, fruits eaten by some birds
Shrubs
Alder (Alnus serrulata) Wet sites (great streambank stabilizer or cover plant along pond edges), seeds eaten by some birds
Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) Moist to well-drained sites, red flowers are great food plant for hummingbirds in spring and early summer
Devil’s Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa) Moist to well-drained, fruits eaten by many birds in fall and winter
Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) Wet to well-drained sites, fruits and buds eaten by many birds in summer and fall
Silky Dogwood (Cornus
amomum) Wet to moist sites, fruits
eaten by many birds in late summer and fall
Inkberry (Ilex
glabra) Evergreen, wet to moist
sites, female plants have dark fruits eaten by birds in late summer, fall and
winter
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) Wet to moist sites, female plants have red fruits eaten by many birds
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) Moist to well-drained sites, red fruits are an important fall food for migrating birds like thrushes, catbirds, and robins
Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) Evergreen, wet to well-drained sites, female plants yield small waxy fruits eaten by a variety of birds, especially yellow-rumped warblers in winter
Wild Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides) Moist to well-drained sites, flowers are important hummingbird nectar source in spring, especially for migrating birds
Shining Sumac (Rhus copallinum) Well-drained to xeric sites, fruits from female plants are food for birds in fall and winter
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) Well-drained to xeric sites, sucker sprouts to form dense thickets as do most sumacs, fruits from females are fall and winter food for many birds
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) Wet to well-drained sites, Rapid growth, fruits important for birds in summer
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Wet to well-drained sites, can exceed 10-12 feet tall, fruits are foods for birds and many other wildlife species
Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans) Well-drained to xeric sites, usually 1-2 feet max in height, fruits food for many birds and other wildlife
Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) Moist to well-drained sites, dark fruits food for birds in fall and winter
Witherod (Viburnum nudum) Wet to moist sites, red fruits food for birds, nice fall color
Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) Moist to well-drained sites, fruits food for many birds in fall and winter, can reach 12-15 feet
Evergreen Trees
American Holly (Ilex opaca) Evergreen broadleaf, moist to well-drained sites, fruits important bird food in fall and winter for species like catbirds, robins, cedar waxwings
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus
virginiana) Evergreen conifer,
well-drained to xeric sites, likes sun, female trees produce fruits for birds
and other wildlife in fall and winter
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Evergreen broadleaf, moist to well-drained sites, straight trunk and conical crown, good cover and seeds are food for some birds
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Evergreen conifer, best in part sun sites, moist to well-drained sites, seeds for many birds, great cover tree for wildlife
Woody Vines
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) Semi-Evergreen, Wet to well-drained sites, important hummingbird food plant in spring and early summer
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) Well-drained to xeric sites, very important hummingbird food plant in summer
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) Well-drained sites, important hummingbird food plant in springtime
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Moist to xeric sites, fruits food for many birds in summer and fall, great fall color
Wild Grape (Vitis rotundifolia) Moist to xeric sites, fruits food for birds in summer and fall
Water Sources
Provide a constant supply of low and high water sources. From simple, inexpensive sunken dishes on the ground to elevated bird bathes. ‘Moving water’ is a real draw for birds and will get migrating species to visit your yard that won’t go to feeders. Consider creating a small backyard pond with rock ledges and shallow depth to allow easy bird access for drinking and bathing. You can use pre-fab forms or dig your pond and use liners. Keep your water dishes and bird bathes clean!
Feeders
Most important is to keep your feeders clean and full! Provide a variety of feeder types (ground, tube and platform)to augment your bird feeding activities in winter especially. Take care in how you mount the feeders (and use predator guards when possible) to discourage squirrels (unless you just like feeding them), and provide sunflower seeds as well as small seeds like millet for the small seed specialists. Place feeders adjacent to cover (10-12 feet away) in most cases.
For more information on native plants:
Botanical Gardens
at Asheville
151 WT Weaver Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 252-5190
North Carolina
Botanical Garden
Conservation Curator
CB 3375, Totten Center
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375
(919) 962-0522
Sources of native plants:
Lamtree Farm Take-Root Nursery
2323 Copeland Road 220 Blakes Dr.
Warrensville, NC 28693 Pittsboro, NC 27312
(woody natives) (919) 967-9515
Niche Gardens Plants Delight Nursery
1111 Dawson Street 9421 Sauls Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 967-0078 (919) 772-4794
www.nichegdn.com www.plantdel.com
(wildflowers) (wildflowers)
We-Du Nurseries Native Gardens
Route 5, Box 724 5737 Fisher Lane
Marion ,NC 28752 Greenback, TN 37742
(828) 738-8300 (423) 856-0220
(wildflowers and woody plants)
Garrett Wildflower Seed Farm Logan Trading Company
1117 New Castle Court 707 Semart Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603 Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 662-9751 (919) 828-5337
Selected Readings:
Growing and Propagating Wildflowers
Harry Phillips
UNC Press, 1985
$18.00
Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants
Richard Bir
UNC Press, 1992
$19.00
The Natural History of Vines and Shrubs
Donald Stokes
Globe Pequot Press, 1989
$13.00
The Folklore of Trees and Shrubs
Laura Martin
Globe Pequot Press, 1992
$24.00
The Wildflower Meadow Book: A Gardener’s Guide
Laura Martin
Globe Peqout Press, 1986
$17.00
Trees of the Southeastern United States
Wilbur Duncan and Marion Duncan
Univ. of Georgia Press, 1988
$20.00
Gardening with Native Plants of the South
Sally Wasowski
Taylor Publishing, 1994
$29.00
Wild Flowers of North Carolina
William Justice and C. Ritchie Bell
UNC Press, 1968
$16.00