Which berry-plants to put in your "birdscaped" yard, that'll make it in Texas

 

    You’ve seen how much some berry-eating birds need to consume in a day, now take action in the one place you have control—your yard. Fall is a great time to plant shrubs (after they have become dormant). So that you can get started planning and planting your new berry-full yard, here's a partial list of the top native berries utilized by birds.

Hollies
 

Includes many varieties in the genus Ilex.  My personal favorite is a tree-form Yaupon Holly, which grows to 10-15 feet. For a complete list visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website. Berries usually are on the male plants only. The berries are high in carbohydrates and protein. Fruits are usually eaten as soon as they ripen by as many as 40 different bird species, who usually stay around all day or until the plant’s bare.

Viburnum

Includes species such as Arrowwood (Viburnum acerifolium), Southern Arrowwood (V. dentatum), American Cranberrybush (V. opulus var.americanum), Nannyberry (V. lentago), and Wild Raisin (V. nudum var.cassinoides). See a more complete list of native viburnum on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website. Produces fruits late summer–December, Fruits have a high fat, carbohydrate, and protein content, making them very valuable to migratory songbirds that need sustenance for their long journey, as well to birds overwintering in areas where insects are not available.

Elderberry

Includes Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and Common Elderberry (S.  Canadensis) which grow well here. Its relatives are "iffy": Blue Elder (S. nigra ssp. caerulea), and Blue Elderberry (S. nigra ssp. cerulea)— and Red Elderberry (S. racemosa). They fruit August–late October. The berries are rich in carbohydrates and protein making common elderberries an important food for migrating songbirds. Provides cover habitat for birds.

Roughleaf Dogwood

Not to be confused with Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) or Silky Dogwood (C. obliqua), which are troublesome here. Fruits in late summer. High-fat berries are important for migratory and wintering birds.

Beautyberry

Grows best in partial shade, requiring little water. Often called American Beautyberry. Fruit production occurs from midsummer through early fall. Fruits are rich in carbohydrates and a favorite of birds preparing for migration or fattening up for a north Texas winter.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

How to have more baby birds in your yard next spring

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Birdwatcher’s Digest reports that increased supplemental feeding (birdfeeders) during cool weather leads to greater nesting success (more baby birds) the following spring. Just make sure you use FRESH seed and fresh suet.

 

Sleepy time     During cool weather, at night, birds conserve energy and warmth by putting themselves into a state similar to hypothermia, which slows down their breathing, heartbeat and metabolism. Thus saving their energy.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.   

Turn jack-o-lanterns into disposable pumpkin birdfeeders

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A pumpkin carved into a jack-o-lantern shouldn't be trashed automatically after halloween. Yes, a carved pumpkin rots more quickly than a whole one. But it's already at your home and paid for. Also keep in mind that many "pumpkin patches" sell leftover pumpkins (starting the day after  halloween) cheaply. If carved pumpkins rot too quickly in whatever weather we have in north Texas, consider using your fall pumpkins to make a pumpkin birdfeeder. Just add a little seed to any remaining pumpkin seeds and put it outside. Whichever way you go, carved or whole, remember that birds are attracted to seeds, including pumpkin seeds.

 If using an already-carved one, just carve out the "face". Then fill with fresh birdseed. This simple bird feeder can be used anywhere you would normally use tray or platform feeders.  If you use hay bales as part of your outdoor fall decorations, placing one of these feeders between hay bales or on top of a hay pile adds a touch of color and active bird interest. A pile of whole pumpkins can also be easily accented with the addition of a carved pumpkin bird feeder. Note: Placing the feeder in the shade will help it last longer.

 Carved pumpkin bird feeders are versatile bird feeders that can accommodate many different types of food and many different feeding birds. The big picture:  last year there were about 50,900 acres of pumpkins harvested. Let's use them wisely. And when a pumpkin-feeder finally rots, just throw it in the compost or trash as you would have anyway.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton

 

Pigeons; a lot more information than we need to know

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In some areas, pigeons seem to be everywhere. Why? In the north Texas climate, they can breed February to December, often near "heat islands" with comparatively warm winters. They produce an average of 6.5 young per year. They don’t take time to rebuild nests each time either. Often, fecal pellets from the young nestlings accumulate and help cement the nest together. Unhatched eggs and even bodies of dead nestlings are incorporated into a nest. Their close relatives, Doves, share similar behavior.

 

A wintertime diet     We all know that many birds in north Texas eat insects. But what do they eat in the winter?  Winter doesn’t kill all insects permenantly. Actually, cold weather doesn’t eradicate insects since their bodies are very different from a human’s.  Also, insects survive as larvae and eggs -  tiny objects on things like the undersides of  bark and fallen leaves. Birds know where this food source can be found, which is why you see birds endlessly poking through leaf-litter on the ground.

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

Birds like picking through plant debris on the ground- so leave some

Fox Sparrow

Most folks just rake dead leaves etc. up. Among all that plant debris however, are thousands of tiny, totally harmless bugs. Many north Texas birds love to thrash and pick through this plant debris to dine on the bugs.
     You’ll see this behavior in Juncos, Thrashers, the true sparrows – like the White-throated Sparrow, Fox Sparrow and such – and sometimes Cardinals, Mockingbirds and Warblers. If the plant debris is all raked up, however, they’ll quickly go elsewhere.

 
           

Good birdwatching attire    Most birds-of-prey (hawks for instance) have white stomachs and breasts. So a smaller bird (a possible lunch) quickly leaves the area when he sees anything white, in motion.  To him (or her), you could be a huge hawk!  Try wearing dark green, dark blue, black, brown or grey instead.

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

Many of us can help Nighthawks rest and get away from it all

 

Common Nighthawk

 

Common Nighthawks

Fairly common birds here are some members of the Nightjar family; Chuck-Will’s-Widow and the Nighthawk.  They aren’t related in any way to hawks, and rarely fly at night, preferring to fly around catching insects at dusk and dawn. The reason for the name is a mystery.

During mid-day they nest (and rest) on flat surfaces, in the sun. Which is where human help comes in handy. Common Nighthawks love flat roofs! So if you have a flat roof, and create an area (8+ sq. ft.) of brownish gravel, you stand a very good chance of attracting some. Especially in cooler weather;  they like the sunshine and relative undisturbed peace of a long rest on a flat roof.

 

Getting good Mileage       Most Canada geese migrate to wherever they can find food (but not all - the ones around here often have enough food available so they can stay all year). They can fly up to 600 miles a day, at 1000 to 4000 feet. They travel at a steady 30 to 35 miles per hour.  (by the way they’re named “Canada Geese”, not “Canadian”.)

 

 

OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.

 

A pumpkin planter is a unique, colorful porch decoration

Think of adding plants to your outdoor decorations this fall. Flowers like mistflower and pansies, or ornamental grasses like indiangrass and muhly provide unique and creative ways to decorate for the season. Branches full of berries are good too. Don't be surprised if some of our feathered friends are also attracted.

Paired with pumpkins and gourds grown in the garden, pumpkin planters are unique; I bet nobody else will have one. Adding plants makes for a fun appearance of an outdoor space. 

This Halloween, make containers for the front porch to impress the neighbors who are making their trick or treat rounds. Bold colors like reds and yellows, or cool tones like purples and blues will provide fresh accents for your yard throughout the fall.

 Here’s how you can make this rustic planter:

1. When visiting the pumpkin patch or store with you kids or grandkids, choose a medium- or large-size pumpkin. Choose one with a sturdy base to create a stable container that will dress up the front porch.

2. Cut a hole in the top wide enough to snuggly insert a plant pot — about 6 inches in diameter.

3. Scoop out the pumpkin seeds and pulp for a smooth surface, just as you would a jack-o-lantern. (You can roast the seeds, too, for a tasty snack!)

4. Take a 6-inch round pot of flowers (your choice of color) and place it inside the carved hole. If the pumpkin is large, use filler for the inside, such as empty plastic bottles, or bubble wrap. The container lip should just clear the top of the pumpkin.

5. Randomly stick several stalks of native prairie grass in any space or void, to give it a finished, natural look.

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7. OWEN YOST, in addition to being a blogger, is a licensed Landscape Architect emeritus who has lived and worked in north Texas for over 30 years. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award of the Native Plant Society of Texas, and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), International Federation of Landscape Architects, National Wildlife Federation and the Audubon Society. His office is at Yost87@charter.net in Denton.