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)

Belinda's Website

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

Baby It's Cold Outside

We have had a relatively mild winter thus far in Southeastern Wisconsin, but temperatures are going to dip tonight.  Don't forget to plug in those heated birdbaths if you have one.  If you don't, it's not too late to run out and purchase one.

During these cold spells, finding open water sources becomes more difficult for birds.  Providing them with a good source of water and fresh seed in feeders will certainly increase the activity at your birdbath and feeders.

Belinda's Website

Take a Walk (or Paddle) on the Wild Side

Loon Family on Sea Lion Lake


Backyard birding can be very rewarding, but sometimes it pays to go beyond the lot line and seek out other locations. I have recently found that paddling my kayak in local waters allows me a unique opportunity to view species (especially water fowl) that would never find their way into my backyard.

This past weekend, I loaded the kayak into the back of my car and headed to our cabin in Florence County.  This is a pretty remote area, and the only remaining county in Wisconsin without a traffic light.  I was able to paddle three different lakes in and around the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, as well as the Pine River (which has been designated as a "wild river").  The birding was exceptional, having observed king fishers, mergansers, bald eagles, ospreys and a family of loons. I got some incredible photos, but the biggest thrill was the unexpected visit by a young bear.  As I quietly floated down the Pine River, I heard a disturbance in the woods. The black form quickly made its way down the slope and proceeded to enter the water as I passed by.  I could not believe my good fortune and even managed to snap some pictures as well.

My advice is to take some time before the cold weather returns to venture out to some of the beautiful "natural" areas available here in Wisconsin and in other states. Remember to always have your camera ready...you just never know what may cross your path!



Black bear on Pine River Oxbow



Belinda's Website

Don't Mess With The Babies!

This past week has been very entertaining, as one red-headed woodpecker fledgling has emerged from the birch tree nest. While the little one has been flexing his wings, Mom and Dad have kept close vigil over our yard.  I have been impressed with their tenacity, as no other birds have been allowed to come anywhere near "junior".  Even the usually aggressive Blue Jays have been looking over their shoulders as they approach the feeder.  If they do stop for something to eat, it isn't long before they are violently attacked by the woodpecker parents. Fortunately, we have been spared from this overly aggressive behavior.  It appears that they are only attacking other birds.  Even the dogs have been left alone.

Today, however, I inadvertently became the target of a totally different bird parent. I decided to launch my kayak and take a spin around Tichigan Lake, Tichigan Marsh and the Fox River.  The weather was perfect, and I was doing well cruising toward the bridge where the marsh meets the river.  Unfortunately, what I believe was a Forster's Tern had other plans for me.   As I slowly paddled near, it quickly took off from its post atop a striped buoy.  In what I can only describe as something out of the movie "Birds", it flew straight toward me, calling out and narrowly missing my head.  It proceeded to circle around several more times in attack mode, while I defended myself with the kayak paddle.

As this was happening, I thought to myself, "Hey...I'm the bird lover here.  I feed you guys all the time and even write a blog...you don't have to fear me."  It didn't take long before I heard the chirping of two chicks on a nearby nest of vegetation. Just like with momma bears, I realized that I did not want to get between this bird and it's babies.  I immediately spun the kayak around and headed back toward the lake, while the tern returned to its post.  Despite the change in my plans, it was a thrill to see this display, and it actually made my day.  Venturing up the Fox River would simply have to wait.

Note:  I like to use my own photos in my blog, but in this case, I had to settle for a web image of a Forster's Tern.  Even if I had taken my camera with me, I never would have been allowed to snap a shot!


Belinda's Website

A Great Dad!

As we get ready to honor our dads on Father's Day, I thought it appropriate to give a "shout out" to one of my favorite feathered fathers...the cardinal.

I had an opportunity the other day to watch a male cardinal take his fledglings out for flight lessons and lunch.  It has always fascinated me to watch as the male cardinal feeds his mate.  It was a real treat to watch the cardinal "kids" sit and flutter their feathers on the fence post as dad took turns feeding each of them from the sunflower hearts in our feeder.

Not all male birds are this attentive to their young and participate in the nesting duties.  In fact, the beloved ruby-throated hummingbird has nothing to do with his family following mating.  The tiny male hummingbird will mate with several different females during the breeding season, but does not participate in nest building or the care of the young.  The cardinal male, however, remains monogamous and chooses just one female.  He may select a new mate the following Spring, but remains dedicated to his family each season.

The cardinal is one of the easiest birds to attract to a feeder.  They prefer a sturdy hopper or fly thru style feeder, as opposed to a hanging feeder.  They love black oil and striped sunflower, as well as safflower seed. Northern cardinals do not migrate like many other species, so those you attract will most likely hang around through the winter months.

Once again, nature puts on a great show for us if we just take the time to watch.

Happy Father's Day!

Belinda's Website