gardening is for birds?counties.agrilife.org/duval/files/2011/07/gardening_for_the_birds.pdf · the...
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Gardening Is For Birds?Gardening Is For Birds?Thomas G. Barnes, Ph.D.Thomas G. Barnes, Ph.D.
Extension ProfessorExtension ProfessorDepartment of ForestryDepartment of Forestry
If you build it, they will comeIf you build it, they will come
The Key is to Create Wildlife HabitatThe Key is to Create Wildlife Habitat
FoodFoodWaterWaterCoverCoverSpaceSpace
American Goldfinch love sunflower seeds American Goldfinch love sunflower seeds (common weedy sunflower) but love other(common weedy sunflower) but love otherspecies like coreopsis, purple coneflowers,species like coreopsis, purple coneflowers,and blackand black--eyed Susan even more!!!!!eyed Susan even more!!!!!
Important Points to RememberImportant Points to RememberA little less lawn please! A little less lawn please! This leads to the This leads to the creation of a healthy creation of a healthy environment.environment.Diversify your plantings Diversify your plantings –– the more variety of the more variety of plants, the more variety plants, the more variety of animals that will use of animals that will use them.them.Use the plants the Use the plants the critters are adapted to critters are adapted to using using –– natives!!!natives!!!
Is Turf Good Wildlife Is Turf Good Wildlife Habitat?Habitat?
It dependsIt dependsYes Yes -- starlings, robinsstarlings, robins
No No -- Songbirds & butterfliesSongbirds & butterflies
The Single Most Important The Single Most Important Factor in Creating HabitatFactor in Creating Habitat
Reduce the amount of lawnReduce the amount of lawn
The Turf WarsThe Turf Wars
Gas mower (1 hr)Gas mower (1 hr)63 g VOC63 g VOC858 g CO858 g CO4.2 g NO x4.2 g NO x67.2 g Smog67.2 g Smog.43 g particulate.43 g particulate1990 g CO21990 g CO2
New Subcompact Car New Subcompact Car /mi driven/mi driven.09 g VOC.09 g VOC4.20 g CO4.20 g CO.3 g NO x.3 g NO x.39 g Smog.39 g Smog.08 g particulate.08 g particulate
Source: EPASource: EPANote: string trimmers even worse than mowersNote: string trimmers even worse than mowers
Think Ecologically!Think Ecologically!Create Healthy EnvironmentCreate Healthy Environment
Batty about bugsBatty about bugsBirds & other predator food supply!Birds & other predator food supply!
Once You Reduce Lawn:Once You Reduce Lawn:WhatWhat’’s NEXT?????s NEXT?????
Diversity of Plant MaterialDiversity of Plant MaterialMost Bang for the BuckMost Bang for the BuckFlowersFlowersFlowering (fruit) ShrubsFlowering (fruit) Shrubs
Use a Variety of Groups & Use a Variety of Groups & Species Within GroupsSpecies Within Groups
Large TreesLarge TreesSmall TreesSmall TreesDeciduousDeciduousEvergreenEvergreenShrubsShrubsFlowers, fernsFlowers, fernsVinesVinesGrassesGrasses
Large TreesLarge Trees
Long term investmentsLong term investmentsThink outside the box Think outside the box ------ dondon’’t use t use those that are over planted (silver, those that are over planted (silver, red maple, pin oak, etc.)red maple, pin oak, etc.)Unusual Unusual –– like buckeye, persimmonlike buckeye, persimmon
Small TreesSmall Trees
Think FruitingThink FruitingServiceberry, pawServiceberry, paw--paw, dogwoodpaw, dogwood
EvergreensEvergreens
Spruce, pine, cedarSpruce, pine, cedarUse for providing a cover screen Use for providing a cover screen
against winter windsagainst winter winds
ShrubsShrubs
Think flowering & fruitingThink flowering & fruitingServiceberryServiceberryshrubby dogwoodsshrubby dogwoodsviburnumsviburnumshawthornshawthornsnative mulberrynative mulberrygooseberrygooseberryblueberries, raspberries, blackberriesblueberries, raspberries, blackberries
WildflowersWildflowers
Those that provide seedsThose that provide seedsThose that provide nectar Those that provide nectar
(hummingbirds)(hummingbirds)Those that attract insectsThose that attract insects
Native GrassesNative Grasses
Widely underusedWidely underusedProvide excellent winter color in Provide excellent winter color in landscapelandscapeBirds & butterflies use food & or coverBirds & butterflies use food & or cover
What Type of Plants??What Type of Plants??Why Native of Why Native of Course!Course!Wildlife Are Adapted Wildlife Are Adapted to Using Themto Using ThemNaturally HardyNaturally HardyIncredible Diversity & Incredible Diversity & BeautyBeautyMeet Any Meet Any Challenging Challenging Gardening SituationGardening Situation
Spring Spring -- HummingbirdsHummingbirds
LateLate--Spring Spring -- HummingbirdsHummingbirds
Early Early --summer summer HummingbirdsHummingbirds
Early Early --summer summer HummingbirdsHummingbirds
Summer Hummingbird Summer Hummingbird FlowersFlowers
Summer Hummingbird Summer Hummingbird FlowersFlowers
Summer Hummingbird Summer Hummingbird FlowersFlowers
Summer Hummingbird Summer Hummingbird FlowersFlowers
LateLate-- Summer Hummingbird Summer Hummingbird FlowersFlowers
Hummingbird Vines & Hummingbird Vines & ShrubsShrubs
Trumpet CreeperTrumpet CreeperCrossCross--vinevineTrumpet HoneysuckleTrumpet HoneysuckleAzaleasAzaleasRhododendronsRhododendronsNew Jersey TeaNew Jersey Tea
The Seed ProducersThe Seed ProducersThe Best of the Best The Best of the Best –– Sunflowers & Sunflowers &
SilphiumsSilphiums
The Seed ProducersThe Seed ProducersThe Best of the Best The Best of the Best –– Sunflowers & Sunflowers &
SilphiumsSilphiums
The Seed ProducersThe Seed ProducersThe Best of the Best and Now The RestThe Best of the Best and Now The Rest
The Seed ProducersThe Seed ProducersThe Best of the Best and Now The RestThe Best of the Best and Now The Rest
The Seed ProducersThe Seed ProducersThe Best of the Best and Now The RestThe Best of the Best and Now The Rest
The Insect AttractorsThe Insect Attractors
The Insect AttractorsThe Insect Attractors
VinesVines
Virginia creeper, passionflower, leather Virginia creeper, passionflower, leather flowerflower
Woo Wildlife With WaterWoo Wildlife With Water
Shallow Shallow –– no more than 2no more than 2”” deepdeepDripping & flowing is betterDripping & flowing is better
Bird BathsBird Baths
Best if placed on the groundBest if placed on the ground
Water GardensWater Gardens
Death traps for songbirdsDeath traps for songbirdsGreat for herons, raccoonsGreat for herons, raccoons
The Best & Most Consistent The Best & Most Consistent AttractorAttractor
SeedsSeeds
There are some downsides to There are some downsides to feeding wildlifefeeding wildlife
If you provide it, they will come If you provide it, they will come –––– Squirrels, chipmunks, deer, etc.Squirrels, chipmunks, deer, etc.
RememberRemember
Create a healthy environmentCreate a healthy environmentWe are asked to be good stewards of We are asked to be good stewards of our environment, including our yardsour environment, including our yards
RememberRemember
Reduce the amount of lawnReduce the amount of lawnProvide food, water, coverProvide food, water, cover
Diversify your plantingsDiversify your plantingsUse native plantsUse native plants
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