Garden Birds and Transition Zones
Create a Forest Edge to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Bird Habitat
A garden transition zone, where open space gradually changes to the deep shade of mature trees, is prime backyard bird habitat.
A forest edge supports abundant life. The low scant vegetation of wide open spaces gives way to taller grasses, low scrub brush and shrubs, and finally trees. The edge—the transition zone—is a favorite habitat for birds. Creating a garden transition zone can attract a lot of garden birds to your yard.
A transition zone offers food, shelter, and nesting sites for garden birds. Tall seed-producing grasses, herbs, and annual flowers provide seeds and nectar, and harbour many insect species that are eaten by birds. Flowering shrubs produce nectar as well, and shrubs or canes produce fruit, nuts, and seeds. Like the grasses, shrubs harbour insects.
Tall grasses and low brushy plants provide shelter for birds that spend time on the ground, while songbirds often hide and shelter in low evergreens or dense hedges. Most of the cavity nesting birds prefer a nest site near the edge of an open space, sheltered but accessible. Other birds may nest near the ground in low shrubs or brush piles.
Most gardens have limited space—it’s impractical to think about planting a forest. If you happen to border on a patch of woods, so much the better, but many gardeners will have to imagine the back fence or the garage wall as the edge of the deep woods and begin a transition zone there.
Plant progressively lower plants as you move out. What you do will depend on the amount of space you have and the climate in your area. Start with taller trees—deciduous trees and evergreens—and include fruit trees such as cherry, Saskatoon berry, or crabapple if possible. Select species that do well in your area. If you have lots of space, try to create open areas within the transition zone—pathways, clearings etc.—and trees or bushy islands in the open.
Vines can also be used to create height and cover, particularly if space is limited. Honeysuckle is a favourite of hummingbirds, and robins will nest on a shelf behind a thick covering of clematis. Climbing roses, grape vines, and Virginia creeper are also good choices.
Choose fruiting and flowering shrubs and canes such as highbush blueberry, currant, holly, raspberry and blackberry canes, or winterberry. Again, it’s important to find out what grows well in your particular climate zone, and in the kind of location you have. Think about whether your garden transition zone is in a sheltered area, what type of exposure you have (northern, southern etc.) and how much sun it gets. Talk to a local garden specialist for expert advice.
Finally, plant grasses and shorter annuals or perennials at the edge of your transition zone. Bunchgrasses, daisies, asters, poppies, sunflowers, globe thistle, and many other plants are attractive to birds. For a garden that requires relatively little work, perennial plants are ideal.
Try not to be too controlling—fairly dense growth supports lots of insects and earthworms, and provides good cover—and don’t use insecticides or pesticides that can kill birds. If you succeed in establishing a healthy ecosystem, the beneficial insects, arachnids and other invertebrates, and of course the birds, will keep insect pests in check, and you will be able to relax and enjoy the abundance of life in your garden transition zone.
Other articles about backyard bird habitat:
Install a Birdbath to Entice Birds
Sources:
Willison, Marjorie. The Complete Gardener’s Almanac. Halifax: Nimbus; 1993.
