Nature Notes

[poliphilo]

 Our daffodils are coming into their strength. I planted a load in '24 and a load more in '25. They're my favourite flower- at least in part because they start appearing in the wintriest time of the year. I see the first daffodil and think, "And now it's Spring!" 

We've had no snow in Eastbourne- we rarely do, but we have had lots of rain. We were driving up Seaside on Sunday and there was water mushrooming out from an overtaxed drain and flooding the road.....

We've floated the idea that Wendy should take over our garden and grow vegetables. It would be a win-win arrangement. We need someone to take the garden in hand and she needs somewhere to grow things. I'm not a gardener. I plant shrubs and bulbs and then more or less let them get on with it. Also I cut the grass- but I'd be happy for there to be less grass to be bothered with. So long as she leaves the daffodils in place she can have a free hand.

There seem to be fewer pigeons about. Maybe they're off sourcing nesting sites. There are however rather more gulls because Roselands with all its chimney stacks is a nesting site. I love pigeons, I love gulls, I only wish we attracted more of the smaller birds than we do.....

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> We've floated the idea that Wendy should take over our garden and grow vegetables. It would be a win-win arrangement. We need someone to take the garden in hand and she needs somewhere to grow things.<<

That's a great idea. Give it a try!

>> I'm not a gardener. I plant shrubs and bulbs and then more or less let them get on with it. Also I cut the grass- but I'd be happy for there to be less grass to be bothered with. So long as she leaves the daffodils in place she can have a free hand.<<

I have a handful of garden patches that I care for regularly, but most of the yard is expected to fend for itself other than my partner Doug mowing the grassy areas. So I use a lot of native species that require little or not attention once established.

>>There seem to be fewer pigeons about. Maybe they're off sourcing nesting sites. There are however rather more gulls because Roselands with all its chimney stacks is a nesting site. I love pigeons, I love gulls, I only wish we attracted more of the smaller birds than we do.....<<

There are plenty of ways to attract small birds. Do look for limiting factors:

* Is there water available? If not, a water feature -- even as simple as a shallow dish or a birdbath -- will help greatly.

* Are there suitable nesting sites with cover? If not, add bushes and native plants that produce fruit or seeds that small birds like. Nest boxes are also good, but you'd need to look up the parameters for the species you wish to host, as those vary greatly. But often, a nest box with a hole around 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch will suit a variety of small species.

* Is there food of various types? If not, a birdfeeder is a quick fix. Planting native species for nectar, fruit, and seeds is a better, long-term fix that you won't have to keep refilling all the time.

The best approach would be to look up what kinds of small birds are native to your area, pick a few you'd like to attract, then research their needs. Most small birds like bushes to hang out in, preferably a native species that provides food of some sort. Also, most birds -- especially small songbirds -- raise their young on caterpillars and other insects, even if the adults eat something else. Therefore, adding larval host plants will help create a banquet for them. I haven't seen a seed mix specifically for that purpose, but "pollinator" and "birds & butterflies" type mixes usually have some, plus you can always add more. A search like "larval host plants" + butterflies moths + (your locale) should turn up ideas. Keystone plants native to your locale will work best as they host many species -- oaks support over 2000, and goldenrods several hundred!

These are things you could discuss with Wendy to see if she also likes small birds and might enjoy gardening for them. If so, consider making a small bird garden with a birdbath, a native tree, a couple of native bushes, some perennial wildflowers, and annuals to fill in the gaps because few perennials bloom the first year. Native grasses, groundcovers, and vines are good too if you want more variety. Searching "bird garden" + (your locale) may get you a list of species recommendations and a sample design or two.

I have birds out the wazoo because my yard is managed for mutual human-wildlife interest. There are big old trees, smaller trees, brush, flowers, lawn grass, and the tallgrass prairie garden. But it doesn't take that much to bring in more birds. Play around and see what happens.

Re: Thoughts

[poliphilo]

Thanks for your suggestions.

We have a birdbath, we have feeders, we have bushes- quite a few- but they're not big enough yet to provide adequate cover. We could certainly do with seeing if we have the right kind of plants to attract insects. I wish we had enough land to support big trees but we don't....

Wendy is our sort of daughter and we'll collaborate in developing the area. I think her main interest is in growing veg, but we'll see....

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Thanks for your suggestions. <<

I'm happy I could help.

>> We have a birdbath, we have feeders, we have bushes- quite a few- <<

That's a good start!

>> but they're not big enough yet to provide adequate cover.<<

What about a trellis or arbor with annual vines that would grow fast? Some small birds like to nest in dense vines. Here I use morning glories and cypress climber. Perennial vines like kiwi or grape will give you fruit, but do grow slower. You could also train vining veg (runner beans, pole peas, indeterminate tomatoes, most squash and melons) to grow vertically, an excellent way to maximize use of a small garden.

>> We could certainly do with seeing if we have the right kind of plants to attract insects.<<

\o/

>> I wish we had enough land to support big trees but we don't.... <<

That probably won't undermine your ability to attract small birds. It's the big heavy ones who really need big trees, hence the crows and great horned owl fighting over my yard for one whole summer. A dwarf fruit tree is worth a thought if you have space for something that doesn't get too big.

>> Wendy is our sort of daughter and we'll collaborate in developing the area. I think her main interest is in growing veg, but we'll see.... <<

Regarding veg and wildlife:

1) Get a mealworm worm feeder or just use an old glass dish. When picking off pest caterpillars from the veg, put them in the glass dish as free bird food. In most places, birds will quickly learn to watch for this opportunity. Mine sometimes perch nearby, eyeing me like "Well? Where's my caterpillar?"

2) Some birds like some veg, especially softer things like tomatoes. If you have such veg that is not fit for human use, it can be cut open and set out for birds to peck over. They will also go for most soft fruit, if you're growing strawberries or similar.

3) More pollinators = more veg, since a majority is pollinated by insects (with a few exceptions like corn being wind-pollinated). Thus a strip or patch of flowers with some extra host plants will attract pollinators to service the veg flowers, and the larvae will attract birds. Zinnias are a favorite here, but there are numerous bee and butterfly plants for any locale.

4) Note that some desirable insects will eat some veg. In my locale, swallowtail butterflies will lay eggs on carrots, wild carrots / Queen Anne's lace, parsley, and dill. I always put out some that are just for the caterpillars, and if they get on my kitchen garden plants, I gently move them to their plants. A few sacrificial plants allow you to have your butterflies and eat your veg too.

5) Some strong-smelling flowers (like marigolds) and herbs (like chives) tend to confuse and discourage plant-eating pests. Interestingly, the pollinators like their flowers fine. I put marigolds all over my gardens, and the garlic chives are a favorite of parasitic wasps that prey on scarab beetle larvae (e.g. Junebugs, Japanese beetles).