Honey Locust Bed

Northern Cardinal Photo http://www.all-free-download.com/ 

Plants here, like all the beds, are mainly native species of different types and different heights. That’s important to birds because plant diversity attracts many pollinators (food for birds) and provides a variety of year-round food, shelter, and nesting opportunities.

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Here are other reasons why native plants are important:

• •  Native plants harbor native insects that are nutritious for birds.  Attracting birds to your yard helps reduce the number of pest insects in landscape beds and vegtable gardens.

  • Food found close to nests allows parents to stay near their nestlings, improving nestling survival.

  • Trees, shrubs and wildflowers attract birds that feed and/or nest at different heights from the ground, enhancing diversity and minimizing competition.

  • Mulch and leaf litter give ground feeders an ideal place to feed.

 Plant species:

   Gleditsia triacanthos                Honey Locust.

    Physocarpus opulifolius           Ninebark.

   Rhus aromatica                        Fragrant Sumac.

    Symphoricarpos orbiculatus    Coralberry.

Bed A

Downy Woodpecker Photo Ella Clem

 http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/  United States Fish and WIldlife Service