Wild Birds in the Garden

Posted by Jamie McIntosh May 20, 2009

We’ve had some bird drama in the garden this week. If you’re six and four years old, these are the kind of occurrences you talk about for months. First, my sons and I helped to return a baby blue jay to its nest. Normally I’m very hands-off about baby birds that have fallen from their nests, but this little guy was sure to be snake food if he spent the night on the ground, and the nest was only about 10 feet up in the tree. The bossy squawking of a group of blue jays turns off some people, but if you’ve ever observed a mating pair calling to each other, you may also notice that they can exhibit a melodious whistle.

Today’s bird moment was hilarious: a flock of red-winged blackbirds chasing a pair of turkey vultures around and behind our property. The bold vultures wouldn’t be dislodged, and neither would the blackbirds give up their harassment. This made for a good 25 minutes of aerial entertainment.

As you care for your garden this summer, think of its place in the food chain. If you’re cursing the caterpillars on your tomato plants, remember that they provide a protein-rich diet for many songbirds. Restrict your deadheading in the flower garden so oil-rich seeds like coneflowers can provide a snack for native birds. Most importantly, avoid using toxic chemicals in your lawn and garden that can harm wildlife.