Make
a wildlife habitat for birds,
butterflies, and our other friends
in the animal kingdom. |
Even a small yard can be landscaped
to attract birds, butterflies, beneficial
insects, and small animals. In a developing
area such as ours trees, shrubs, and other
plants provide much needed shelter and
food for birds and other wildlife.
The plants you use for food and cover
will help determine the wildlife species
attracted to your backyard. Nesting boxes,
feeders, and water features can be added
to improve the habitat.
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Planning
Your Wildlife Habitat |
Planning is necessary for creating an
attractive and productive wildlife habitat.
You have both a horizontal area to work
with - the size of your lot - as well
as a vertical area that stretches from
your soil to the treetops. The vertical
area is composed of the canopy formed
by the tallest tree branches; understory
vegetation consisting of smaller trees,
shrubs, and vines; the floor which is
often dominated by low-growing groundcovers;
and the basement where a variety of organisms
exist in the soil. Different wildlife
species live in each of these zones, so
numerous habitats can be provided on a
small piece of land.
Trees and shrubs are the backbone of
any landscaping design and are important
for wildlife shelter. Many tree and shrub
species are excellent sources of food
for wildlife. Proper selection of plant
material can meet both the aesthetic needs
of the homeowner and the food and shelter
needs of wildlife. Remember that you are
part of the habitat!
Make a sketch of your yard noting all
existing plants, buildings, utilities,
and pathways. You may even consider removing
some plants. In some cases, trees have
been planted too close to buildings or
have grown much larger than the previous
owner envisioned. Some species may be
of little wildlife value and may not be
particularly attractive. Once you have
identified existing plants you want to
save, start exploring options for plants
that will work well with these species.
The existing plants around your yard may
be adequate to attract some wildlife,
but a few changes can effectively enhance
the existing habitat. Diversity in the
landscape is necessary. Some plants provide
food but very little cover; others provide
cover but little food.
Add trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers
to your plan. If you would like to help
out our wildlife friends by turning your
backyard into a more friendle habitat
for wildlefe, but are not sure that you
can design it on your own, hire a professional
landscape designer. A design helps in
many ways. Not all the planting needs
to be done at once and a design will allow
you to budget for time - to install the
plants in phases. If money is limited,
consider it a work in progress.
Plant a variety of trees first. Select
evergreen species such as hollies, conifers,
and magnolias for year-round cover and
shelter. Try to select plants that flower
and bear fruit at different times of the
year. Some shrubs that produce berries
can provide food throughout the year.
Trees with nuts or fruit can also provide
seasonal foods.
Fill in islands or woodlands that have
only taller, high-branched trees with
smaller understory trees such as redbuds
and dogwoods. Shrubs such as viburnums,
beautyberry, and sweetshrub also add another
dimension of height. Adding these to an
existing landscape will enhance the vertical
structure that is common in natural landscapes.
Many smaller trees and shrubs are colorful
in the spring when they flower, and provide
berries for fall and winter feed.
Flowering annuals (plants that live one
growing season) and perennials (plants
that live for more than a year) add color
to the yard and can be added at any stage
to attract birds and butterflies. If your
yard is large, consider using part of
it for tall native grasses that provide
beauty, as well as a natural source of
food and shelter. A native wildflower
garden provides the same function. Even
on a small lot, native wildflowers, as
well as some common garden species, can
provide attractive habitat for a variety
of birds and butterflies.
Avoid straight lines and perfect symmetry.
Natural habitat has curves and clumps
of vegetation. Wildlife is not particularly
attracted to a well-manicured lawn. Wildlife
is more likely to come out into the open
for viewing when the boundary of the yard
is designed and maintained as a retreat
for animals.
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Landscaping
For Birds |
Food and cover are essential for the
survival of all species of birds. Loss
of suitable nesting sites, particularly
in highly developed areas such as ours,
is a major factor in the decline of some
bird species. In the wild, many species
nest in cavities of dead trees. With the
loss of native woods and brush growth
in many parts of the country, and the
removal of dead trees, natural nesting
sites are become more limited.
Bird species are extremely variable in
their habits. Some like deeply wooded
areas; others prefer open fields and meadows.
Many species are year-round residents,
while others appear only for a few days
a year during migration. Other species
such as sparrows, blue jays, cardinals,
robins, juncos, and chickadees are highly
adaptable and found in many environments.
For a complete listing of birds found
in Georgia visit the Georgia
Wildlife Federation web site.
Many people are not aware of the value
of dead, dying, and hollow trees, as well
as logs on the ground, for birds and other
wildlife. Dead trees provide homes to
more than 400 species of birds, mammals,
and amphibians. Consider leaving standing
dead and dying trees in your yard unless
they pose a human safety or property hazard,
and use old logs and stumps in gardens
and landscaping.
Some
plant species for birds
Trees for birds:
American holly (Ilex opaca)
Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
Crabapple (Malus spp.)
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.)
Hickories (Carya spp.)
Live oak (Quercus virginiana)
Oaks (Quercus spp.)
Shrubs for birds:
Common junipers (Juniperus communis)
Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)
Hollies--both evergreen and deciduous
species (Ilex spp.)
Pyracantha (Pyracantha spp.)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Viburnums (Viburnum spp.)
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Vines for birds:
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens
and related spp.)
Strawberry (Fragaria spp.)
Trumpet Vine (Campis radicans)
Muscadines (Vitis spp.)
Nectar plants for hummingbirds,
butterflies, and bees:
Aster (Aster spp.)
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Bee balm (Monarda spp.)
Butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia)
Butterfly weed and other milkweeds (Asclepias
spp.)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Lobelia (Lobelia spp.)
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Phlox (Phlox spp.)
Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Trumpet creeper or vine (Campis radicans)
Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Additional food and shelter for birds
- Few yards will be able to supply sufficient
food or shelter for a variety of birds
all year long. However, you can improve
shelter and food supplies by building
or purchasing feeders and houses, and
by setting out certain foods.
All bird species have specific nesting
requirements. Because of these requirements,
your yard may not accommodate certain
species. For instance, Eastern bluebirds
prefer nesting sites that border open
fields or lawns with a tree or fence post
nearby to provide feeding perches.
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Bird and nesting
houses - Before setting out
nesting houses, find out which species
are common in your area and can be
encouraged to nest in your yard. Purchasing
a book about birds is a big help and
will help you to identify the different
species as they make their appearance.
Make or buy bird houses specifically
designed for the birds you wish to
attract. |
If you are building your own bird houses
the size of the entrance hole is critical
to prevent the eggs and young from being
destroyed by larger birds--always check
a list of appropriate hole sizes. Other
considerations include box size, height
above the ground, direction the entrance
hole faces, and amount of sunlight. Boxes
may need baffles or other protective devices
to limit access by cats and other predators.
Bird Feed and Feeders
- Many species of birds can be attracted
by a variety of feed in different styles
of feeders. There are many styles of bird
feeders available, from window-mounted
feeders to those that hang from branches
and stands. Many birds will readily eat
right off the ground. Bird feed comes
in a variety of choices; however, sunflower
seeds appeal to many birds, as well as
small mammals. Woodpeckers, nuthatches,
and chickadees are especially attracted
to suet. Citrus fruit, chopped apples
and bananas, and raisins will be eaten
by numerous species, including robins,
titmouse, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and
mockingbirds.
Make sure to include a bird bath(s) somewhere
in the design. Birds bathing make for
excellent photo opportunities!
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Hummingbird
Feeders and Nectar - Unlike
many other species of birds, hummingbirds
rely on nectar as their source of
food. These tiny, migratory birds
are commonly seen in the summer and
fall gathering nectar from colorful
flowers. Hummingbirds are typically
attracted to red and yellow tubular
flowers, although they frequently
visit others. Visit Perennials
for Hummingbirds to see a full
listing of perennials that attract
or provide a nectar source for hummingbirds. |
Hummingbird feeders can be purchased
and filled with a sugar-water solution,
consisting of 1 part sugar to 4 parts
water. We've found that hummingbirds prefer
organic sugar (evaporated cane sugar)
rather than processed sugar, and its healthier
fot them too. Organic sugar can be found
at most grocery stores. Use
it for the birds and your family as well!
Every 3 to 4 days, make sure to wash the
feeder with soap and water, rinse thoroughly,
and add new sugar water. No red dye is
necessary.
For more information
on hummingbird's visit our All
About Hummngbird Gardens page.
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Food
and shelter for butterflies
- Colorful butterflies and moths add
beauty and interest to your backyard.
There are hundreds of different species
of butterflies and moths in North
America. Butterflies and moths are
insects. They hatch into larvae (commonly
referred to as caterpillars), eventually
become pupae, and develop into colorful
adults. How long the process takes
depends on the species and the climate.
Perennials
for Butterflies. |
Butterflies and moths are amazingly particular
in their food choices. The larval stage
of the butterfly may require food quite
different from that of the adult. Some
larvae consume tremendous amounts of plant
material, seemingly devouring plants overnight.
A common example in the garden is the
tomato hornworm which rapidly strips tomato
plants of their leaves. An equally voracious,
but beautiful, larvae is the Eastern black
swallowtail which is found only on plants
in the carrot family, including celery,
carrot, dill, and parsley. A close relative
is the Eastern tiger swallowtail that
eats the foliage of wild cherry, birch,
poplar, ash, and tulip trees.
Adult butterflies require food in liquid
form such as plant-produced nectar. They
get some of it from flowers and from juices
of extra-ripe fruit. The types of flowering
plants you grow will determine the kinds
of butterflies you attract to your
backyard. Find out what species are common
in your area and use plants
they like.
Nectar feeders can be placed in the yard
to attract butterflies. Do not use insecticides
near plants for butterflies. Learn to
recognize larval and egg forms. That large
green and black caterpillar eating your
dill or fennel may one day turn into the
gorgeous butterfly you were hoping to
attract! (And the dill or fennel will
grow back.)
Butterflies, like all insects, are most
active when temperatures are warmer. While
moths are commonly found at night, most
butterflies are active on sunny, warm
days. Butterflies will benefit from a
basking site where they can warm up on
cool mornings. Add a light-colored rock
or concrete garden sculpture as a basking
site. Butterflies also need a source of
water. A shallow dish of water or a depression
in a rock that retains water is all they
need.
For more information on butterfly gardens
visit our All
About Butterfly Gardens page.
Attracting bees
- Yes, attracting bees! In the United
States, there are nearly 5,000 different
species of native bees. Most of them are
solitary, friendly bees that nest in holes
in the ground or burrows in twigs and
dead tree limbs. These bees do not have
hives to protect them, so they are not
aggressive and rarely sting. Bumblebees,
carpenter bees, sweat bees, leafcutter
bees, digger bees, and others pollinate
many different kinds of plants. They play
a critical role in healthy wild plant
communities and gardens. About 30 percent
of our diet is the direct result of a
pollinating visit by a bee to a flowering
fruit tree or vegetable plant. Providing
bee habitat in your yard can increase
the quality and quantity of your fruits
and vegetables.
NOTE: Bees
are extremely sensitive to many commonly
applied insecticides. If you must use
chemical insecticides in your garden,
apply them in the evening when bees are
less likely to be active.
Bees are attracted to most flowering
plants, and are especially fond of blue
and yellow flowers. Try planting your
garden to have different species blooming
in the spring, summer, and fall.
Bee houses
A good use for untreated scrap lumber
(at least 3 to 5 inches thick) is to drill
holes (from 1/8-inch to 5/16-inch in diameter)
about 90 percent of the way into the thick
wooden block. Space the holes about 1/2-inch
to 3/4-inch apart. The 5/16-inch holes
work best as homes for orchard bees which
are excellent pollinators of fruit trees.
Hang your bee blocks under the eaves of
your house or garden shed, protected from
direct sun and rain.
Attracting bats
to your yard - Yes, bats
too! Bats are a beneficial and interesting
mammal. Bats are the single most important
controller of night-flying insects, including
mosquitoes, moths, and beetles. For example,
a single little brown bat can catch up
to 600 mosquitoes in an hour! Watching
bats fly around light posts catching bugs
can be an interesting nighttime activity.
A bat house in your yard will help attract
bats and provide them with much-needed
roosting habitat. The house should be
placed on a pole at least 15 feet high
in a spot that receives sun most of the
day. Tree trunks, except for very tall
high-branched trees, are usually too shady
for bat boxes. Some bat species such as
gray bats, red bats, and hoary bats will
use shrubs and trees for roosting under
loose bark or in cavities.
Many species of bats migrate in the fall
and hibernate throughout the winter months
in caves, mines, or buildings. If disturbed
during hibernation, their metabolism is
increased, depleting fat reserves and
reducing their chances of survival.
As with all wildlife, bats should be
watched, but not handled or chased. Generally,
bats are shy of humans and will not attack
or fly after a person. However, if caught
or picked up from the ground, a bat may
bite. We have yet to hear about anyone
in our area being attacked by a bat!
Attracting reptiles
and amphibians - Toads,
frogs, lizards, turtles, and snakes all
have a place in the backyard. While many
people may not want some of these animals
in their yards, most species are harmless
and often quite beneficial - feeding on
destructive insects or rodents.
Shelter for reptiles and amphibians is
easy to provide. Several rocks piled in
a sunny spot will provide basking sites.
Consider planting shade-tolerant groundcovers
under trees and leaving a thick layer
of leaves to provide cool shelter. Stumps,
logs, and rock piles in a shady spot can
be valuable.
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Water
for wildlife - Clean,
fresh water is as important to birds,
bats, butterflies, and other wildlife
as it is for people. Water in a
saucer, bird bath, or backyard pond
is adequate for wildlife. Be sure
to change the water every few days
to keep it fresh. In hot weather,
it may be necessary to refill the
container daily.
Logs, rocks, garden
ponds and other water-holding
structures provide drinking and
basking habitat for turtles, butterflies,
and songbirds. Stones with depressions
that collect water will help attract
butterflies. |
Backyard habitat programs
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
sponsors a certification program designed
to help individuals plan and apply a wildlife
habitat plan for a home site or small
acreage. On request, NWF will send you
an application packge and instructions
for its Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program.
If your application and plan meet the
criteria, you will receive a certificate
and, if you wish, a sign to show your
commitment to wildlife conservation. Contact:
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
National Wildlife Federation
8925 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22184-0001
or
http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office
of Migratory Bird Management works with
groups and individuals to conserve and
manage migratory birds. This agency offers
information about backyard habitats for
birds and wildlife. Several pamphlets
are available: Backyard Bird Feeding,
Backyard Bird Problems, Attract Birds,
Homes for Birds, and Migratory Songbird
Conservation).
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