Seasonal Narrative by Denice

SUMMER

Well I can tell that summer is fast approaching, the weather is already hot and humid and the warblers have come, and gone, through the backyard. This is also the time when I start keeping an eye out for empty spots in the garden so that I can start thinking about what shrubs or perennials I want to add. Try to keep in mind that birds like a variety of habitat.  Ground cover, under-story and canopy are the levels of plantings you want to achieve. Take into account the neighbors’ yards also, and plant some things that are different. This offers the birds more choices and if they are at the neighbors they probably will visit you also.  I have spent many years trying to add to my list of backyard friends.  I found that feeders alone help to a point, but fruiting trees and shrubs will bring in many birds that do not visit the feeders. Water features will serve as a drawing card for migrating warblers, and though landscaping for birds creates a lot more work than just open lawn, I have found that if I watch the birds I don't see the weeds!  Also, many of those weeds are wildflowers that will also attract seed eating birds. (Good excuse right?)

Some feeding hints from my yard to yours….

-Fruit and jellies; green grapes, oranges apples, ripe bananas, golden raisins, grape jelly all are on the menu at my house.

-Mealworms; Though this can be a more expensive than seeds and suet, I find the rewards much greater, the blue birds, titmouse, cardinals and Carolina wrens are all feeding their families and hopefully will bring those babies up close and personal as they fledge.  I keep the feeders fairly close to the house by a window with a good view and feed them at a pretty much-set time each day.  And though Mr. Blue Jay also wants the good stuff, a few unshelled peanuts in his feeder usually keeps him busy enough while the others scoff up the worms.

-Space feeders around your yard, don’t group them; with nesting and breeding going on many birds become territorial and will chase others from the feeders.

-Be sure to keep feeders away from shrubs that might hide a cat or other predator, and keep them clean and the area around them clean. 

-Mosquitoes can be a problem when there is water around  If you change the water in your bird baths at least every other day, the bird bath will not become a breeding ground, and the birds will be happier too.

-I have found that the less millet I serve the less I have of house sparrows and brown headed cowbirds and more safflower means less starlings.  Also, smaller type feeders are more difficult for the larger birds to navigate so peanuts served in one of these along with suet nuggets have helped to keep the starlings and grackles at bay.

There is a saying; “My house is clean enough to be healthy, dirty enough to be happy” this goes for in my garden also.  If I spend all my time weeding and tending then when would I have time to enjoy it? Have a great summer!

Here are a few of the plants I have used in my yard with much success

Serviceberry or shadblow, Siberian dogwood, (Red Twig), Viburnum of all kinds  (my favorite), Holly, Chokeberry, Lots of evergreen shrubs, Virginia creeper, Coneflowers, asters, Bee balm, Pachysandra, sweet woodruff.