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Birds

Attracting

Butterfl ies

to Your Yard

Anna’s hummingbird

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By Shannon Player

Phoros by Karen Straus/ San Diego Audubon Society

The Audubon Society of San Diego has started a new program called Audubon at Home, Gardening for Birds and Butterflies. This program will help you transform your yard into a native wonderland that encourages local and migrant birds to visit your yard and stay awhile. The

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program incorporates the use of native plants, which ties in nicely with the effort to make your yard drought tolerant, as California native plants and trees have evolved to withstand periods of drought.

To create your bird-friendly garden, you will need to provide three elements: food, water and shelter. There is an abundance of food on native plants in the form of berries, seeds and foliage. Additionally, a bird feeder will supplement the plants. Wild bird seed that is formulated for our western region is best to use. A little birdie told me that black oil sunflowers are a favorite and may be purchased at Coronado Hardware Glass & Paint. Food placement is also important. Some birds are ground feeders, while others like to perch and feed on fruit and

Common Buckey butterfly

berries in the trees. Placing bird feeders at different locations and heights will satisfy different feeding styles.

Bringing water to your yard is most important.

Running water is preferred by most wildlife, but a simple bird bath will do. I recently bought a large pottery plant basin and placed it on a wrought iron stand and it is working just fine. Total cost, $15, so if you can’t afford a fancy fountain or bubbling faux brook, no worries. Keep water fresh and clean.

Shelter can be in the form of a shrub or tree. This provides a place of refuge when the birds are startled or frightened. Birds need a place to hide from predators for safety. A large hedge is also a great place for birds to hide and rest. I have noticed that although bougainvillea is not a native, it makes a wonderful refuge as does

top: Western Scrub Jay middle: Monkey flower above: House Wren

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Lesser Goldfinch below: Matilija Poppy Western Tiger Swallowtail Fuschia-colored Gooseberry

California Towhee

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House Finches enjoying bird bath

most dense hedge plantings. Hedges that provide seclusion also make a good nesting location. Some other considerations might be ceanothus, which bear dark blue flowers and can be trained as a hedge or let sprawl for an informal look. Contact Tree of Life Nursery for specific plants.

Bringing natives to your yard helps to replace the loss of habitat due to development and gives birds and wildlife a resting place for local and migratory species.

With some careful planning you can have color, fragrance and blooms year round. Besides being drought tolerant and beautiful, natives are usually pest free, no need for pesticides. Additionally, natives take less time and maintenance. Natives require less watering and weeding, and a minimum of pruning. All of this leaves you more time to enjoy your garden and marvel at all the beautiful birds visiting your backyard. After your garden is established you will have a balanced, healthy garden to enjoy for years to come.

Shannon Player is president of the Crown Garden Club, celebrating its Golden Anniversary in 2009.

Some helpful sites for native plants & birding.

California Native Nurseries List www.plantnative.org/nd_ca.html

Tree of Life Nursery www.treeoflifenursery.com

San Diego Audubon Society www.sandiegoaudubon.org

Butterfly Garden Website www.butterfly-garden.com

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