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One of the greatest joys of homeownership for me is the backyard. Here I can create a private place to think, enjoy an evening breeze and watch the life - wild and domestic - which thrives there. I love working in the backyard, watching it evolve from a piece of dry desert to a thriving green jungle of fruit trees, vegetable, herb and ornamental plants that soothes the eyes and nurtures the spirit. The backyard also plays host to dozens of species of wild birds throughout the year. Some come to feed, bathe and drink, others to nest. When I moved to my mountain desert home three years ago, there was scarcely a bird to be seen in the yard. Now there are usually dozens of birds within sight at any given time. I have seen many species which I never saw before, including a flock of hundreds of blue birds. As human population continues to grow and developments encroach on wild habitats, birds rely more and more on the sympathetic among us for their survival. The benefits of providing for birds in our yards go beyond the joy of watching these elegant creatures, because we need them at least as much as they need us. We are all part of the delicate balance of nature. My grandfather understood this. "Daddy King" was thrilled when his then-10-year-old granddaughter took on the ambitious task of planting a rather large vegetable garden in the rich soil of the Arkansas River Valley. To help me along, he made a gift of a Purple Martin house designed for multi-family dwelling - just the way the colonizing birds like it. He knew, as did many generations of organic farmers before him, that Purple Martins have a voracious appetite for insects. Granddaddy placed the house high on a pole, with a metal barrier to keep cats out, between the vegetable garden and my bedroom window. Every morning I woke to watch the glistening birds first stroll the wrap-around porch on their house, then flit above the garden catching insects. I have never let go of the idea that organic gardening is superior in every way to the chemical kind. It is particularly important to birds, most, if not all, of which have high metabolisms that lead them to eat and drink proportionately large amounts of food. If there are poisons in the environment, birds are often the first to suffer. The irony is that the birds we poison could have instead been a part of the solution to our gardening problems. Most eat a varied diet which includes insects and weed seeds. Many bird lovers will tell you that you cannot have cats and birds but I have not found that to be true. My cats are so spoiled that a severe scolding is a traumatic experience for the dear little souls. And I keep a garden hose handy in case they get over the reprimand too readily. The key to teaching your cats not to chase birds is to be around a lot when they are new so that you can guide their spiritual growth. My efforts with ten-year-old Jericho have been so successful that when a flock of birds lands in the yard, she heads for the house to watch them from inside a window, where she is above suspicion. Neighborhood cats are another issue. It is a much greater challenge to get the point across to them. There are other techniques for protecting birds. Placing bird feeders, houses and baths higher than about eight feet is one approach. This may make it difficult to view your feathered friends. Another approach is to surround bird feeders and bird baths with a radius of six or more feet of pebbles, so that there is no place for a cat to hide and pounce. A sneaking car will set off an alarm as it walks across the small rocks, causing them to rattle together. Some people place chicken wire around the base of trees, feeders and baths to discourage cats from stalking. A sprawling ground cover can hide the wire. Putting out bird feed is a popular and effective way to attract birds, but water is even more so. Insects and seeds are nearly everywhere but water is more difficult to find, especially here in the high desert of Northern California. It is important to freshen the water daily. Dripping or moving water acts as a particularly effective attractant. During migrating seasons, entire flocks bless us with their presence. Give the birds a place to perch near the water - they like to have a good look around before hopping in - and place rocks in the water so the birds can drink and bathe without drowning. Birds enjoy a safe and refreshing shower when a hose or sprinkler drips through tree or shrub branches. Some people want their yards to be very neat, with grass always mowed and hedges trimmed. Their yards look a lot like their living rooms - square and not much like a natural setting. Those of us who prefer a more natural feeling will be delighted to find that the birds feel the same way. You'll see them perching on or even nesting in a dead branch that gives a pleasing contrast to the lush green that surrounds it. A compost pile of small patch of tall grass allowed to go to seed in the back corner of the yard provides for nesting materials and varied grazing opportunities. The thorny beauty of a purple thistle intentionally passed over while weeding offers shelter and food to small songbirds. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are fertile grounds for a sharing relationship. Birds eat pests. I plant plenty of fruits and vegetables and leave some behind to encourage the birds to hang around. One unfortunate outcome of sharing your space with birds is that they may fly into your windows - you may even see them repeatedly attacking a window or a car door mirror. Perhaps they do not see the glass, and are trying to fly through it - or they may be fighting off a perceived intruder into their territory. If you find a stunned bird, the best approach is to not touch the bird but to simply guard it until it regains consciousness. Wildlife rescue centers are licensed to provide medical care to wild animals. These centers generally provide avian care to rare species only. You may be able to prevent further mishap by covering the outside of window with a bamboo shade, or by moving food and water sources farther from the window. A quiet reel mower will help to avoid scaring your little visitors away. Because reel mowers do not create air, water and noise pollution, they help to preserve the health of our tiny neighbors and will increase your chances of hosting a nest of young birds - a truly delightful experience. There are many wonderful sources of information about birds. One of my favorites is the "National Audubon Society North American Birdfeeder Handbook" by Robert Burton. Copyright Marjorie King
2004 |
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