Birdscaping

“Birdscaping” is the careful process of native plant selection, combined with other key elements to create an interactive landscape that works in harmony with nature. 

During the spring and fall migrations, thousands of unique birds pass through North America en route to their nesting grounds.  Unfortunately, many of these beauties have a diet that consists mainly of fruit and/or insects, so they are not attracted by traditional bird feeders.  Applying the elements of Birdscaping will increase the odds of attracting these and other unique species of birds and butterflies to your home. 

In addition to enhancing your viewing opportunities, a well-planned habitat can quickly become a favorite nesting location for migratory birds and a permanent residence for year-round species.  The addition of fruit-bearing plants also provides needed sustenance during the long winter months.

It is well documented that making a connection with nature provides a multitude of health benefits to humans.  Why not take the extra time to make choices that everyone (birds and humans) can enjoy! 


See lists below for trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses to attract your feathered friends.

Trees/Shrubs

•         River birch

•         Crabapple

•         Red Cedar

•         Mountain Ash

•         Juniper

•         White Oak

•         Beech

•         Hawthorn

•         Dogwoods

•         Viburnums

•         Serviceberry

•         Winterberry

•         Cotoneaster

•         Coralberry

•         Chokecherry

•         American Elderberry

•         Sumac

Perennials & Grasses

•         Coneflower (Echinacea)

•         Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

•         Aster

•         Columbine  (Aquilegia)

•         Gay feather (Liatris)

•         Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)

•         Cat Mint (Nepeta)

•         Little Bluestem grass

•         Big Bluestem grass

•         Bee Balm (Monarda)

•         Garden Phlox

•         Shasta Daisy

•         Goldenrod

•         Coreopsis

      •         Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

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Tracking Spring Migration

Original watercolor by Belinda Abendschein, Copyright 2002

While the half a foot of snow that fell overnight might discourage thoughts of Spring, some of our favorite migratory birds are already making their way north. About the time that cabin fever sets in each year, I log onto my favorite migratory tracking website Journey North.  I love this program because it recruits K-12 students and teachers to participate as citizen scientists and report their sightings of various migratory species.  The general public is also welcome to participate, and I have often given reports of the first common loons that make their stop here at Tichigan Lake each March.

In addition to bird species such as hummingbirds, orioles, robins and red-winged blackbirds, the site also follows the migration of monarch butterflies, singing frogs, gray whales and much more!  So even if the landscape is still looking pretty bleak in your neck of the woods, log onto Journey North and click on the migration maps.  You too can get excited about Spring and be ready when your favorite visitors start winging their way to your neighborhood!

Belinda's Website

Preparing for Spring!

Spring is an exciting time, especially here in Wisconsin.  In addition to the activities of our resident species, we are also privileged to experience a large number of migrating species (especially warblers), as they work their way north to the boreal forests. Don’t wait until the hummingbirds and orioles arrive to make your preparations.  Many birds are already making their way north as early as late February/early March.

•         Put out nesting boxes for cavity-dwelling birds (chickadees, wrens, woodpeckers, bluebirds, swallows, owls, wood ducks).  A good resource for nest box specifications:   http://www.sialis.org/nestboxguide.htm 

•         You can also help nesting birds by providing clean, natural nesting materials (string, animal hair, twigs, straw).  Tip:  Place these items in an empty suet cage.

•         Get a good pair of binoculars and a great field guide.  Recommended field guides include:  Peterson’s, Sibley, National Geographic.  Also, a great resource for beginners is “Birds of Wisconsin” by Stan Tekiela.  The photos are arranged by color to help make identification easier for those who are still learning the various species.

•         Have feeders cleaned and adequately filled with a good quality seed/suet.

•         Make sure you have a water source available.  If possible and weather permits, a moving water source will get the most attention. This is important to attract insect/fruit eating species.

•         Have a camera available for those “surprise” visitors.  Nothing is more frustrating than having that “rare” visitation, and you can’t capture the moment.  It also makes it easier to make proper identification if you can go back and review a photo.

Belinda's Website