Birdfeeding: Friends of a Feather Flock Together

October wildlife gardening tasks feature the middle of fall. Keep on top of harvesting so it doesn't get away from you. Weeding should be winding down in many areas. Some flowers need deadheading, but most wildflowers don't. By this point, many plants have set seeds. Collect seeds, especially native ones, to save for next spring. For species that need cold stratification before they will sprout, you can either chill them in a refrigerator or plant them in a bed during fall and let the winter chill them naturally.

If you want to hang roosting boxes for cold weather, this is a good opportunity for that. If you haven't already hung your birdfeeders, do that now. Bring out any that you already have and clean them before filling and hanging them. It's a good time to buy new ones if you want to do that. The fall migration is peaking in many regions, but northernmost ones are emptying out. For most species, seeds are the best offerings at this time. Wait to put out suet or similar foods until the weather gets colder. It is safe to mow fields, as ground-nesting birds have completed their cycles. Birdwatching peaks in mid-fall as the migrations boom. Visit your local parks and waterways for the best viewing.

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Celebrate International Bat Night August 30-31.

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June is National Pollinator Month. The most famous pollinators are butterflies and bees. However, other animals such as bats and rodents also serve. Among birds, the best known are hummingbirds (North and South America), but sunbirds (Africa) and honeyeaters (Australia) are important too. Also bear in mind that caterpillars are nature's hot dogs, so attracting butterflies and moths will also feed birds. It takes about 10,000 caterpillars to fledge a clutch of chickadees! Here are some ways to celebrate National Pollinator Month ...

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I discovered a reference to bumblebees nesting in a birdhouse.  It turns out that you can also build a house just for the bumblebees.  

Today I made a tiny terrarium in a spice jar to hold some lichen-covered twigs.  Earlier I was out walking and spotted some good ones.  Then at lunch, I used the last of the pumpkin spice blend, so I put the fresh bottle in its place.  Then I washed the new bottle and used it to make a tiny terrarium for the lichens.

I recently bought a big jar to make a terrarium.  Spotting the twigs and spice jar reminded me of making terrariums out of random containers when I was little, usually using all found materials rather than purchased ones.  Everything but the jar came from my yard.  Total cost: $0.  Technically the jar of pumpkin spice was $4.75 but since I bought it for the spice instead of the jar, that doesn't count.  I didn't buy anything just for this project.  You can do the same thing with a bigger jar if you like.  Juice jars are often lovely, with a slightly wider mouth and sometimes decorative designs near the top.

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This set of photos begins documenting an experiment to see which type of pen will prove most durable for outdoor plant labels.  I also took a few pictures around the yard, as long as I was out there with the camera.

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At this time of year, lots of people are shopping for birdfeeders. Maybe you're starting from scratch, or you need replace one that wore out, or you just want to expand your offerings. The birds are hungry and looking for a treat! Ideally, a birdfeeding station should offer multiple options for birds of diverse sizes and feeding habits. Here are some ideas...

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Today is World Migratory Bird Day. Fall is the period when birds fly from their summer breeding grounds (usually toward the poles) to their winter sanctuaries (usually near the equator). During this trip, they need food, water, and places to rest. Here are some ways to celebrate this holiday and help migrating birds.

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October wildlife gardening tasks feature the middle of fall. Keep on top of harvesting so it doesn't get away from you. Weeding should be winding down in many areas. Some flowers need deadheading, but most wildflowers don't. By this point, many plants have set seeds. Collect seeds, especially native ones, to save for next spring. For species that need cold stratification before they will sprout, you can either chill them in a refrigerator or plant them in a bed during fall and let the winter chill them naturally.

If you want to hang roosting boxes for cold weather, this is a good opportunity for that. If you haven't already hung your birdfeeders, do that now. Bring out any that you already have and clean them before filling and hanging them. It's a good time to buy new ones if you want to do that. The fall migration is peaking in many regions, but northernmost ones are emptying out. For most species, seeds are the best offerings at this time. Wait to put out suet or similar foods until the weather gets colder. It is safe to mow fields, as ground-nesting birds have completed their cycles. Birdwatching peaks in mid-fall as the migrations boom. Visit your local parks and waterways for the best viewing.

( Read more... )

A Little Free Library is a place for people to share things. The original featured books. But there are also Little Free Pantries, Little Free Plant Libraries, Little Free Seed Libraries, Giveboxes, and more. Fall is the peak season for gathering seeds, and also for planting bulbs that will bloom in spring. Both can go in either a seed library or a plant library. So now is a good time to set up something like this in your neighborhood -- or perhaps at a park, garden center, or other public place. This is especially good for spreading native species and bird garden plants.

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