By Don Torino
As we lose more and more natural places to development, our backyards become that much important to the survival of many birds and other wildlife, as our small and seemingly insignificant backyards now become stepping stones for migratory birds and an oasis for birds that will depend on your yard to make it through the harsh winter months. In winter countless migratory birds that travel here all the way from northern Canada will be calling your backyard home. There are some important things we can do to welcome them and help them survive our long New Jersey Winter.
* Garden Naturally! –
Many dried flower heads such as Purple Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan and Agastache, provide birds with seeds even into winter so don’t be so quick to cut them back. Also many shrubs such as Winterberry Holly and native viburnums will hold their fruit into the cold months and provide needed cover, so let the birds eat what is there and don’t worry about making your garden look manicured.
* Don’t Clean Up !
Another important tip to remember is to use leaves as mulch. Leaf litter will help provide seeds and insects that many birds such as Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrows and Towhees depend on. In addition, your garden may also host many butterflies and moths during winter. When you prune or make your garden look neat and clean you may also be throwing away next year’s butterflies and beneficial insects. Introducing a more natural gardening approach will help our birds not only in winter but throughout the year.
