Wildlife and Gardens - Part 1

» NancyS_5 - Well, I measure my wooded area in yards rather than acres, but I

Well, I measure my wooded area in yards rather than acres, but I do have trees on three sides and my house is close to a nature preserve that runs alongside the Hudson River (in the Bronx). The oddest thing I've seen is a pheasant, which strutted in my driveway for a few minutes one afternoon. We've also gotten hawks, which swoop down and carry off pigeons. Only rarely do we see anything like skunks or racoons. About once a year I spot a salamander, and there isn't enough water (just a small birdbath) to attract the attention of toads and frogs. My favorite birds are the cardinals and the woodpeckers. To encourage more, I've just planted three Rubus odoratus, a suckering raspberry relative that produces berries and grows wild near by. (It also has lovely deep pink flowers in the summer.) I'm also hoping that my new plantings of monarda and Joe Pye weed will attract more butterflies.
I'm looking forward to getting more tips.
Nancy

-- posted by NancyS_5

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» Marge_Talt - Hi Nancy, You don't have to have lotsa land to attract wildli

Hi Nancy,

You don't have to have lotsa land to attract wildlife! You just need to provide what they like and want.

I'll bet there are skunks and raccoons around if you're near a nature preserve -- you just won't see them because they are totally nocturnal. I never see the skunks, I just know they've been around when I find the mulch really disturbed with nice holes - they're looking for worms and grubs. If you don't leave out any kind of edibles, the raccoons won't have you on their list of food stops. If you do, they will come!

I, too, love cardinals. At one time, we had over 20 pairs, but that was several years ago. We still have several pairs, but nothing like we used to.

Both cardinals and woodpeckers love sunflower seeds and will come to birdfeeders that have them. The only one that doesn't come to the feeder around here is the Pileated Woodpecker, but the Downey's and the Common Flickers both chug down those sunflower seeds! Cardinals feed late, just at dusk - they come all during the day, but they are the last guys to give up before it gets dark. They also are basically ground feeders and are more comfortable if seed is on the ground than in a hanging feeder.

You'll probably attract hummingbirds, too, if you plant Monarda.

The berries will be relished by a lot of critters - you may even catch a glimpse of a raccoon in the dusk as they like them, too.

Sounds like you're well on your way to encouraging wildlife in your garden!

Marge

Gardening in
Shade

-- posted by Marge_Talt

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