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How to help out the Birds
Not only do the easily seen big birds, or the noisy and flashy little hummingbirds, migrate through, but also many other migratory birds spend the winter in Texas. In fact, Texas is the number one state for bird diversity. After a long flight, birds are usually hungry and tired and it you would like to attract them to your land or yard I've put together some guidelines for you. If there is a certain bird or type of bird you would like to see more often, study the preferences of that species so you have an idea what they might like. Some birds will do better in the city, but the birds that need large areas of open or wooded land are having a hard time these days. If you and your neighbors are interested in wildlife conservation, maybe you can work with them to make a seamless transition for wildlife from one property to another. Even folks who live in town on city lots can get together with their neighbors and make a comprehensive plan to attract wildlife in the community. Making a community or neighborhood wildlife plan would be a great project for any community group. Doing your part will help existing bird populations. If habitat requirements are ignored and threatened species start disappearing, the dreaded tree huggers backed by the federal government will come in and start telling us what we can do with our land. Always plant native plants that provide fruit and nectar. When clearing brush, make brush piles or leave the debris in the woods to attract insects that birds can eat. A brush pile built for a wild animal shelter should be 15 feet high and 15 feet long. Put the brush pile at the edge of the woods. Brush piles attract small animals, insects, and reptiles that many birds eat. Try to use organic pest controls, if possible. Keep your cats indoors. The amount of birds killed and terrorized by cats is amazing. Feral cats in the countryside should be trapped and destroyed. If you are restoring a large pasture, grassland birds need areas of at least 125 contiguous acres of native grasses. This is where working with your neighbors can help. A Bermuda grass field is not considered a wildlife habitat because it lacks diversity and many times is filled with chemicals. However, it can be argued that the amount of grasshoppers generated by a Bermuda grass field is beneficial to certain birds that eat them. In forested areas, keep many of the small trees that grow under the large oaks. Yaupon, dogwood and vibernum are all small trees that grow in the shade and all provide food and shelter for birds. Some trees like the Eastern Red Cedar are invasive and should be removed from the drip lines of our native oaks. Get to know your trees. Wooded corridors between cultivated fields prevent erosion and attract wildlife. While no one wants trees growing along their fence lines, it's OK to let the native grasses grow high along the fences for bird food and protection. A dead tree is not always a bad tree as they harbor many bugs for birds to eat and provide nesting holes. Everyone should capture every drop of rain they can to water their garden or to provide water for wildlife or stock.
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If your home is located on the Central Flyway, a major migratory bird route, we have the chance to see many different kinds birds heading south in the fall and north in the spring. If you are a bird watcher, you couldn't be in a better place. The hummingbirds will be leaving soon, but the sand hill cranes, Canadian geese, and other large birds will soon be honking overhead to let us know that winter is on the way.
