It's time to start thinking of the garden

[conuly]

My parents always had a vegetable garden, even when that meant climbing down a fire escape ladder because that was their only access to the backyard. Consequently, I tend to think that any garden that's not mostly herbs and vegetables is a total waste of both space and effort.

However, in recent years it's been hard to keep the motivation going, which means our garden is ultimately overrun. And to be fair, the animals love it. We always have so many birds! Also snakes and so on. But I'm pretty sure our human neighbors find it annoying, and I think my mother did as well.

So I'm thinking maybe wildflowers? Native wildflowers? Hopefully something low-effort that the wildlife will still like? And to make up for them no longer having quite as much wild space to be wildlife in, a birdfeeder? (And a squirrelfeeder as well.)

What sort of birdfeeder would I like to get? I don't actually know that much about birds. I know we have all of what you'd expect from the northeast - chickadees, mourning doves, woodpeckers (I've never seen them, but you can hear them), sparrows, crows, bluejays, cardinals... also turkeys and pigeons and occasionally hummingbirds, and mockingbirds in recent years, the one good thing about climate change. (Well, I think so. They also annoy all the neighbors, but I like them.)

I'm more concerned about making sure that the cats can't catch the birds there than about keeping the squirrels out, though I guess my neighbors wouldn't thank me if I attracted rats and mice with a poorly kept birdfeeder either. The cats would, but nobody asked their opinion!

Comments

[hannah]

Popping in to both use this icon and cheer you on for gardening with native plants.

Bird Feeder Info Dump. I acknowledge.

[8hyenas]

I don't know about the rat/mice situation. But if you don't mind the squirrels...

I suggest an open feeder for the larger birds. I just use an old hanging basket full of black oil sunflower seeds, a flat tray type would work here too but I like being able to put a bucket of feed out at a time. I don't have doves, but they are ground feeders so they might just be on cleanup duty or use the flat kind of feeder.

A smaller hanging box type with thistle seed for the little seed eaters.

A suet feeder (preferably not hanging) for the woodpeckers, bluejays and maybe cardinals. I'm betting you have other birds you haven't seen yet like nuthatches.

Then a flat feeder for the squirrels. They are messy, so ideally the turkeys, doves, and crows will clean up after them.

If you can find a Perky Pet hummingbird feeder with an ant moat (or an older model and then get an ant moat) they are the best deal. Interchangable parts, glass body you can truly get clean, perches, hold exactly 1 cup of food. They're irritating sometimes with all the fiddly bits to clean but I just take it all apart and soak it over night.

Don't forget to take the chance to provide clean water.

Should I make the comment longer? Okay. The way I (just me! Please, internet, do not come for me) make hummingbird food is I microwave a cup of filtered/bottled water (You probably have good tap water? Maybe let it sit over night for less chlorine, I'm sure it's fine. But they're so little!) Then I stir in a 1/4 cup of granulated cane sugar until it's clear. Obligatory scream of NO DYE.

Enjoy your garden!

Re: Bird Feeder Info Dump. I acknowledge.

[conuly]

NYC tap water is the best in the world. (I think I was taught that in school, actually.)

But thank you :)

Re: Bird Feeder Info Dump. I acknowledge.

[moxie_man]

Avoid the thistle, please. Unless you want thistle growing in your yard and the yards of your neighbors.

Re: Bird Feeder Info Dump. I acknowledge.

[conuly]

Hm. Well, some of my neighbors, maybe.

[mount_oregano]

You might enjoy growing a butterfly-friendly garden. Your local garden center can help with the right native wildflowers. Some flowers attract birds, too.

[conuly]

I do like butterflies.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> However, in recent years it's been hard to keep the motivation going, which means our garden is ultimately overrun. <<

Consider making the garden smaller, rather than abandoning it altogether. Herbs in particular do well in container gardens, and are usually used in small amounts (except for a few things like pesto).

>>So I'm thinking maybe wildflowers? Native wildflowers? Hopefully something low-effort that the wildlife will still like?<<

Excellent choice. They have the highest wildlife benefit and lowest maintenance needs. To find some suitable for your area, type in your state or other regional identifier and then something like "native wildflowers" or "wildflower seeds." Some options:

https://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/wildflower-mix

I really like this one:
https://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/wildflower-mix/monarch-butterfly-wildflower-seed-mix

https://www.naturesseed.com/wildflower-seed/regional-wildflower-mixes/

https://www.edenbrothers.com/collections/regional-wildflowers

This place offers both seeds and plants:
https://www.prairiemoon.com/


>> What sort of birdfeeder would I like to get? <<

The type of feeder depends on what food you wish to offer and what birds you expect to feed. You may or may not care about appearances. Birds mostly don't.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-to-choose-the-right-kind-of-bird-feeder

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/animals-and-wildlife/best-bird-feeders

https://birdfeederhub.com/best-bird-feeders/

https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/best-bird-feeders/

>> I don't actually know that much about birds. <<

I recommend a good bird guide for your locale. However, much of that info is now online.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/browse/topic/feeding-birds/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/browse/topic/bird-friendly-homes/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/when-136-bird-species-show-up-at-a-feeder-which-one-wins/

>> I know we have all of what you'd expect from the northeast - chickadees, <<

Will eat small to medium seeds from a tube or hopper feeder. Very timid and small, so they benefit from a cage feeder to exclude predators or larger birds.

>> mourning doves, <<

Prefer medium to large seeds, but I've seen them eating thistle seeds, so who knows. Primarily ground feeders, they also come to my fly-through feeder in a tree. They rarely eat from a hopper feeder unless it's really cold and they're desperate.

>> woodpeckers (I've never seen them, but you can hear them),<<

Enthusiastic eaters of medium to large seeds and suet. They will eat from a hopper, suet cage, log feeder, fly-through feeder, etc. If trash birds eat up your suet, you can get an upside-down feeder for the peckers and other clinging birds.

>> sparrows, <<

Will eat damn near anything, anyhow. I had one utterly determined little bastard learn how to cling to an upside-down finch feeder, and I've seen a couple snitch from an upside-down suet cage. But most of them can't.

>> crows,<<

They like big food and will eat large seeds, peanuts, or food scraps. A ground feeder or large fly-through feeder works best.

>> bluejays, <<

Will eat medium to large seeds and also scraps. Very pugnacious, but they're too big to eat comfortably from a feeder sized for small birds. They like hopper or fly-through feeders.

>> cardinals... <<

Prefer sunflower seeds but also like safflower seeds that very little else will eat. They are ground feeders but will come to a hopper feeder or fly-through feeder.

>> also turkeys and pigeons <<

Both ground feeders. Turkeys eat big seeds, pigeons medium to large plus scraps. A ground tray is best. Turkeys are THE top bird at feeders, so offer something for other birds where the turkeys can't get at it -- which is most feeders off the ground, they can't be arsed to climb or fly.

>> and occasionally hummingbirds, <<

Nectar feeders. Will drink from a hummingbird feeder or from tubular red to orange flowers. Not a native, but they go nuts for cypress vine:
https://www.selectseeds.com/heirloom-vines/cypress_vine_seeds.aspx

>>and mockingbirds in recent years, the one good thing about climate change. <<

They eat insects in warmer weather and wild berries or fruits in colder weather. Try suet or a fruity bird food.


Ideally, get a pole with multiple hooks and set up a feeding station. Or you can distribute different feeders around your yard. It's good to have several places spread out because then birds can move if something scares them away from one. If at all possible, offer different types of food, such as mixed seed and a suet cake. Thistle seed or finch mix will cover all your tiny seedeaters. Peanuts and whole corn are popular with large birds.

https://nature-niche.com/blogs/news/bird-feeding-stations-how-to-design-the-perfect-backyard-habitat

https://www.craftymarie.com/2016/10/homemade-wooden-bird-feeder.html

https://www.thayerbirding.com/best-bird-feeder-poles/

>>I'm more concerned about making sure that the cats can't catch the birds there than about keeping the squirrels out<<

https://birdfeederhub.com/how-to-keep-cats-away-from-bird-feeders/

https://www.thayerbirding.com/keep-cats-away-from-bird-feeders/

Choose feeders designed to protect birds.

https://birdwatchinghq.com/feeders-for-small-birds/

https://www.backyardbirdwatcher.com/cagefeeders.html


Also, offer water if you can. Everything needs it, and fewer people put out water than food.

Re: Thoughts

[conuly]

The trouble with water is mosquitos, and let's be perfectly frank here: I'm not convinced I'll 100% remember to dump and refill a birdbath every day. I'm already dubious about birdfeeders, tbh, but it's one step at a time.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>The trouble with water is mosquitos, and let's be perfectly frank here: I'm not convinced I'll 100% remember to dump and refill a birdbath every day.<<

Mosquitoes can be prevented in a variety of ways, of which a very easy one is mosquito dunks. I find that I rarely need to dump the bird water because it doesn't often get mosquitoes. So I just tip it if I see wrigglers.

https://pestcontrolhacks.com/best-mosquito-dunks/

Alternatively there are fixtures such as drippers or misters that attract birds but not mosquitoes.

https://thebackyardnaturalist.com/wordpress/portfolio-items/drippers-misters-wigglers/

>> I'm already dubious about birdfeeders, tbh, but it's one step at a time. <<

In that case, start simple. A large hopper feeder full of mixed birdseed will attract a wide range of birds and not need to be refilled every day. A suet cage or thistle sock is also easy, and would attract different species. Sunflower seeds will run out a lot faster, and so will many small or specialty feeders.

Re: Thoughts

[conuly]

(That same doubt is putting hummingbird feeders off the list for now. Sugar water is not something to be lacksadaisical about, is it?)

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

Try other types of feeder first, as most are less work.

Also, if you don't want to mess with sugar water, consider wildflowers for hummers:

http://www.nenature.com/RubyThroatedHummingbird.htm

https://www.thepaintboxgarden.com/tag/hummingbird-plants-for-the-northeast

https://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/northeast/filtered/advantages--attract-hummingbirds

https://grownative.org/learn/native-for-wildlife/nectar-rich-natives-for-hummingbirds/

https://birdwatchinghq.com/hummingbird-flowers/


Hummingbirds are not fond of birdbaths for water. They prefer misters or drippers, which are less likely to attract mosquitoes.

https://www.thespruce.com/provide-water-for-hummingbirds-386404