Survey: Is Your Backyard Wildlife Friendly?

I do provide all 4 elements on my property. I have 4.5 acres of farm land with dense tree/shrub cover along the back and side field. I have several nest boxes set up on the property. A small river/rock bed of water run off pools into a small pond as well as several birdbaths (pedistal and ground). Seed, suet, peanuts, and niger are all offered in the bird garden. The butterfly and hummingbird garden offers native plantings. Grapes, raspberries, strawberries, sunflowers, gourds and pumpkins are grown for not only our consumption but as a treat for the birds as well. I am also certified as a wildlife habitat by National Wildlife Federation.

My property is a work in progress. I don't think it will ever be completely finished because I have so much fun adding to it and watching the birds and wildlife enjoy it so much.

Posted by Meg on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:42 PM

I always have at least one bird bath going for the birds. I try to keep one flat on the deck because the squirrels enjoy drinking from it too. And then the raccoons come at night and like to make a mess of everything! I put out a variety of foods for everyone. Black oil that the cardinals like, sunflower hearts, suet, thistle seed, peanuts, a mix of cracked corn, white millet, canary seed and peanut hearts on a platform feeder. I put out peanut butter mixed with cornmeal in the winter. The hummingbirds get fed in the summer. The squirrels have a special feed with a peanuts, suet nuggets and a corn/seed mix I buy at the store. I have berry bushes and a cherry tree the birds enjoy. I have plenty of shrubs for protection. I have a small yard but manage to attract a variety of birds. I have bats that come at dusk and a variety of other animals. My yard is their yard!

Posted by Kathy on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 04:06 PM

We just had our yard certified last summer as an official NWF Backyard Wildlife Habitat. We've gotten "into" gardening in the last 5 years and ANY new plantings have been ones that are beneficial for wildlife. Added lots of berry and nectar-producing shrubs and trees. along with NUMEROUS varieties of perennials and annuals!
It is SUCH FUN to spot new visitors to our yard--lately have had wild turkey, deer, opossum, raccoons, a FLYING squirrel (I won't tell you how many others we have!), along with finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, nuthatches, woodpeckers, song sparrows, hummingbirds, orioles, catbirds, mockingbirds, as well as a hungry hawk and great horned owl.
It IS true that the birds frequent the water sources more than the feeders, esp our heated birdbath in the long Wisconsin winters!
Along with elevated birdbaths, last year we added a faux rock waterfall fountain that trickles just enough to attract spring warblers and robins..In summer I utilize garbage can lids as ground birdbaths and attract even more that feel safe with nearby shrubs for cover.
My new project is a special butterfly garden with a puddling area and sunning rocks.
Anyone have tips on how to control weeds like dandelions, garlic mustard, and creeping charlie when we've gone organic to help the visiting wildlife? The rabbits leave our garden alone (WE THINK)because we have enough clover to keep them happy!

Posted by Pat from Wisconsin on Thursday, May 8, 2008 09:39 AM

We live in a small city in New England and our house sits on a lot of less than 1/2 acre a few blocks from the heart of town. Our backyard is only 3,300 square feet but it contains a significant mini forest(7 full sized trees: Red Maple, White Birch and White Ash) and 2 ornamental trees as well as a variety of shrubs and ornamental shrubs. In summer it is heavily shaded and provides a wide variety of shelter for visiting birds.

We maintain 3 bird baths (one heated through winter) and 6 feeders mostly stocked for song birds (and mostly squirrel-proof) and primarily use a variety of shelled and whole sunflower seeds, safflower and thistle seeds; we have regular pairs of Cardinals, blue Jays, Chickadees, Finches, Dark Eyed Junkos, Cat Birds and a smattering of Woodpeckers and Nuthatches who visit regularly. Pigeons and Mourning Doves take care of any fallen seed with the help of a large squirrel fan club. In winter we hang one feeder primarily for squirrels and they empty it every 2-3 days. In summer they can raid another of our feeders if they're really acrobatic.

We're sure that skunk, racoon and opposum pass through on occasion, as indicated by our light sensor going on in the middle of the night, but we've rarely seen them.

It's nice - having the feel of wild life only 4 blocks from our State Capitol Building.

Posted by Michael Feinstein on Thursday, May 8, 2008 10:37 AM