Gardening for BirdsVision Greenwood Park

February 27, 2011                                  

A Few Backyard Birds

Black-capped Chickadee Steller’s Jay Northern Flicker

Bewick’s Wren Brown Creeper Song Sparrow

American Robin Spotted Towhee Golden-crowned Kinglet

And More Backyard Birds

Downy Woodpecker Bushtit Violet-green Swallow

Dark-eyed Junco Red-breasted Nuthatch American Goldfinch

House Sparrow European Starling American Crow

Seattle Common BirdsPied–billed Grebe Downy WoodpeckerDouble-crested Cormorant Northern FlickerGreat Blue Heron Steller’s JayCanada Goose American CrowGadwall Violet-Green SwallowAmerican Wigeon Barn SwallowMallard Black-capped

ChickadeeNorthern Shoveler BushtitGreen-winged Teal Red-breasted

NuthatchLesser Scaup Bewick’s WrenBufflehead Golden-crowned

KingletBald Eagle American RobinRed-tailed Hawk European StarlingCalifornia Quail Cedar WaxwingAmerican Coot Common YellowthroatKilldeer Spotted TowheeRing-billed Gull Song SparrowGlaucous-winged Gull Red-winged BlackbirdRock Dove House FinchAnna's Hummingbird American

Goldfinch*Belted KingfisherHouse Sparrow Highlighted in Yellow – Cavity

Nester

ConservationBirds and You Most urban habitat for birds and other wildlife is

located in yards around privately owned homes Rules for a lively yard and garden

– Stop killing things – 98% of insects are beneficial

– Stop cleaning up – rock particles + organic matter + soil organisms = healthy organic soil

– Plant more plants – plant species that grow naturally along with non-invasive ornamental plants

Plants for Life Vine Maple, Pacific Dogwood, Salal, Salmonberry, Thimbleberry,

Oceanspray, Red Flowering Current, Snowberry, Pacific Bleeding Heart, Evergreen Huckleberry, Sword Fern, Tall Oregon Grape

Watch out for these Noxious PlantsHedge Bindweed (Morning Glory), Scot’s Broom, Herb Robert, English Ivy,

English Holly, Japanese Knotweed, English Laurel, Himalayan Blackberry, Evergreen Blackberry

Conservation Garden Designing for Birds and Wildlife

– Reverse the usual ratio of lawn to garden, more garden is better!– Provide cover, giving wildlife space to hide– Add layers to increase diversity (ground cover, shrub, understory,

and canopy), connect layers to allow birds to travel up and down through vegetation by minimizing open space between plants

– Plant with repetition, instead of “one of everything”, try several plants of one species

Other Bird and Wildlife friendly ideas– Put up species-specific nest boxes for native birds– Leave or build rock piles in garden beds for reptiles, amphibians,

invertebrates, and other wildlife– Put up a bee box for native bees– Provide a water source such as a birdbath, pond, or natural water

feature

FoodBirds need insects– don’t kill things

Don’t clean up

Plant native species

Supplement with feeders

ShelterBirds need shelter

Plant native plants in layers or clumps

Density makes the cover more secure

Use plants that serve a double duty

Brush piles are instant shelter for birds

WaterBirds need water

Standing water is good

Moving water is better

Flowing water is the best

Misters are great for attracting hummingbirds

Bird bath locations are important

New Nesting SitesBirdhouses – size of the entrance hole and other dimensions of the house determine who will use it

Placement of birdhouses

Provide nesting materials

Leave snags as they provide natural nesting cavities

The Value of Birds

Be observant and patient

Relax and appreciate nature

Listen

Learn

Birding is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States