Left: Robin eats berries.
Right: Red-bellied Woodpecker appreciates shelled peanuts.
Birdscaping Creating a bird friendly yard Doc & Diane Gover
W
hile you are slowing down after the busy holiday season, your backyard birds are busier than ever. When colder temperatures move in, birds are hard at work searching for more food options. One way you can make a difference is by landscaping with birds in mind, offering a wide variety of plantings that generously give seasonal seeds and berries. Not only do they make a statement in the winter landscape, but they also provide nutrient rich food for the birds. With assistance from Johnson County K-State Research and Extension (www.johnson.ksu.edu), we’ve compiled a list of fruit- and seed-bearing trees, evergreens, shrubs, vines and ornamental grasses in the chart below that perform well in Midwest landscapes and serve the birds. Remember that all of these natural plantings provide a food source as well as shelter and cover from predators and inclement weather. Another birdscaping method is by supplementing with alternative food sources. Add bird feeders to
the mix, allowing for quick food sources as snow and ice covers the natural food supply. Birds are looking for foods that are high in oil, fat and calories (such as seeds that are purchased as fresh as possible), suet, Bark Butter, peanuts (in and out of the shell – not salted), fruit and mealworms too. Remember these creatures are warm-blooded. They must maintain their body temperature within a normal range. This is accomplished through food consumption, found in nature and backyard bird feeders. Chickadees, titmice, cardinals, doves, finches and juncos are looking for black oil sunflower, safflower, nyjer (thistle) and white millet. Insect eating birds like robins, waxwings, bluebirds and mockingbirds also like a diet of suet and Bark Butter, as well as fresh and dried fruits. They have had to change their diet because of the lack of insects. Blue jays, woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches and chickadees will eat peanuts offered in or out of the shell. Bluebirds, wrens, woodpeckers, chickadees, titmice and even cardinals will enjoy mealworms, alive or dried. They are loaded with protein.
January 2013 / The Kansas City Gardener
Experienced birders know the personal joy of seeing active and energetic birds this time of year. If you’re new to the birdfeeding scene, this is an excellent time to invite birds to your backyard. Offering food that is healthy and nutritious will keep them coming back all year. Your yard will be “alive” with movement, so be sure to have your binoculars and field guide handy to identify all of your visitors. For more information about suitable plants to include in your landscape, contact the folks at
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension (www.johnson.ksu. edu), or the trusted professionals at your favorite independent nursery or garden center. If you have any questions regarding birds or their food, just stop by the store. Our Certified Birdfeeding Specialists will be glad to help you. Doc and Diane Gover own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kan. Contact them at 913-491-4887.
Bird Friendly Landscape Plantings Trees
Shrubs and vines
• Birch • Chokecherry • Crabapple • Dogwood • Maple • Purple Leaf Plum • Serviceberry
• American Bittersweet • Barberry • Beautyberry • Holly • Viburnum • Virginia Creeper • Winterberry
Evergreens
Grasses
• Eastern Red Cedar • Spruces • Pines
• Feather Reed Grass • Maiden Grass • Switch Grass
This is not a complete list. Please contact a green industry professional at your favorite nursery or garden center for advice on plant selection, planting and care.
11