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Wildscaping isn't just about planting things for wildlife -- it's also about managing your property
wisely. Not everyone is able to do wildscaping, though there are some issues that every one of
us can address. One of the simplest ones has to do with windows.
The very things that make glass so valuable to us make it so dangerous to wildlife. It's transparent -- and while our minds can understand an invisible barrier, animals can't comprehend it. It's also reflective, and can show ghost images of trees and landscapes to approaching birds. Our human mind understands reflections, but it's something that birds can't grasp. And so they fly into windows, in search of that elusive tree that they see. It's fairly easy to set up your windows to minimize the problems that birds have. Here's some popular techniques: o Close your drapes or miniblinds and move plants away from the window. This is the single most effective thing you can do. If you need light for a plant, consider using lace-patterned curtains which allow sunshine for the plant and still give the birds the impression that there's some sort of barrier at the window. o Put a hawk-shaped silhouette on the picture window (birds have been known to ignore the single shape, though. o Dangle a large hawk-shaped cutout from a suction cup on the window. Since the shape moves, birds are more wary of it. o Hang ribbons or wind chimes in front of the window. o Put bird baths and feeders very close to the building. 3 feet (1 meter) is the recommended maximum distance. o Put bird baths and feeders far from the building. 10 feet (3 meters) is the recommended minimum distance. o Use a solar film on your window that allows light (but not heat) in and looks opaque to the birds. o Cover large windowed areas (such as in a picnic area) with netting. If you find an injured bird, here's how to deal with it: o Put it in an unwaxed paper bag or cardboard box. o Make sure the bird is sitting upright. if it can't sit up, prop it up with towels. o Put the bird in a dark, quiet place. o Call your local pound and ask for the nearest center that treats injured birds. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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