Safe Passages
Traveling Around the Backyard

Safe Passages Around the Backyard

Birds need to travel around your backyard to find all the things necessary to sustain life. They may enjoy eating from several different feeders or snack on the ground underneath. Then they might come to a birdbath for a cool drink. Next a fun splash to clean the feathers and a nearby perch to dry and preen themselves. Maybe a berry bush or a cherry tree beckons. This branch is good for singing to impress that cute little bird over there. Hey, get away from that tree; it's in my territory! Okay, I might like that third birdhouse on the left instead. Boy, I'm hungry for sunflower seeds now from the yellow feeder, the red one is almost empty.

Every time birds fly across open areas, they are vulnerable to predators, large birds of prey and otherwise cute kittens, cats and curious other critters.

As owners of backyards, we can and should help the birds as they navigate our backyard habitat. Down with huge expanses of lawn and randomly spaced bushes. Group plantings, so birds have only a minimal time exposed to the open. Hedges, trees of varying heights, and tall flowers and grasses can form safe corridors. This has the advantage of an aesthetic, rustic look for your yard. But more importantly these vegetative passages can provide natural food (berries, fruit, pinecones, nectar, insects) and nesting areas, as well as, places to hide. It can be a win, win plan.

Making Quick Passages

If a backyard temporarily lacks old growth protection, you can still help birds navigate safely in your space.

Place several large flower pots linking one area to another. Weigh them down with rocks or bricks. Then put plants from the nursery, seeds, sunflowers, corn or other vegetables, or bushes (preferably ones with berries) in the pots. A combination of choices offer varying heights and interesting natural food treats that will also draw different yummy insects.

Tree branches with lots of little branches and twigs can be fixed (cemented, plastered or stuck in dirt) inside large flower pots, as well.

Here is another place where the little red wagon with several feeders, shallow bowl with rocks and water and tree branch protection, could be set to help bird maneuver around your yard.

These ideas are all portable and can be relocated, if the birds have different travel routes, that you first thought.

Extra plus for humans, grow things you might like to eat. Remember to change things seasonally and even attach holiday decorations (for bird treats or for pretty).

Pocket Gardens

Last summer we dug out and planted small fruit trees, berry bushes and flowers in order to make safe passages for the birds in our backyard. They need to travel from water sources and feeders to the larger trees along the back border, where I have good reason to suspect they spend part of the day and all of the night.

If we already had a shrub, a tree, or a structure, we expanded the area either in a rectangle, circle or free-form shape in order to add more and usually different specimens. We sprinkled small perennials throughout. Only near the pond did we place several planters of annuals for extra color and charm.

Although the Grandgirls and Food Mom love little gnomes we tried to confine them to one or two places. But since we have lots of logs, Food Guy has placed them here and there, in pots, upright, stacked, grouped or alone. They support peanuts, feeders, birds and critters, flower pots, dolls and the occasional coffee cup.

Making a backyard bird-friendly is an ongoing process. It's a thrill to see birds and critters enjoy the fruits (pun intended) of our labors as much as we do. I'm sure we'll make changes this spring and summer (correcting some goofs and adding more beneficial stuff for everyone. We even have an extra acre that's just grass. What possibilities! Food Guy laughs when I tell him I'd like to plant a garden maze (bird friendly, of course).