Enticing/supporting the birds and bees etc. in your neighborhood. Some simple options.

[pinto]

Even in a small space, and a limited budget, you can support avian wildlife in your neighborhood.

A 12" sturdy plant pot saucer makes a great bird feeder. Punch three holes in the side, in an equidistant triangle, string with some twine and hang from a tree. Or nail to a porch railing through the saucer's center. Fill with a bird seed mix. All costs less than $5.00.

Plant local wildflower seeds, if you have some ground space. They attract bees and hummingbirds. Porches and balconies are good spots for window boxes. Nasturtiums - considered 'weeds' here in CA - are a good window box plant. Insects love 'em and they are indestructible.

Hang a hummingbird feeder. I got one on sale at the grocery, with a 'starter' packet of sugar feed, for $3.99. Set up took 10 minutes.

Set up a water station - a 'birdbath'. Doesn't have to be elaborate. A simple serving bowl, wide, shallow with some perching edge, or perching rocks works well.

Some caveats: all should be off the ground to decrease predation, water should be changed regularly to keep fresh and limit mosquito larva growth, feed needs to replenished regularly, especially when you get 'established' diners.

Enjoy. And collect those wildflower seeds in the fall. Bag 'em in a paper bag, keep cool and dry. They are next year's crop.

[IDemo]

1. We've been so successful attracting birds in our backyard

that the kestrels drop in now and then and add new meaning to the phrase 'bird feeder'.

[kestrel91316]

2. Lovely pic of me, don't you think?

[IDemo]

5. Nice, but , err, have you looked into having something done with that beak?

:hi:

[pinto]

3. Cool.

[hunter]

12. We feed the falcons too...

Our yard is a fast food restaurant for birds of prey.

Having a bird friendly yard also limits the population of insect pests. We don't use insecticides, but we rarely have problems with insects, for a couple of reasons, I think. Most birds will happily eat insects even if they are visiting for the seeds, and birds that specialize in insects probably feel much safer among crowds of other birds.

[pansypoo53219]

4. have the feeder filled with black oil sunflower

just about all birds like that. bird bath. lots of cover. we get plent of migrants on there way. all the year cardinals. but now basically just english sparrows, chicadees maybe, goldfinches and purple finches. finches. storms sometimes blow in something odd. robins.

[dweller]

6. a butterfly bush

if you have the space will help attract bees and butterflies. I have 2 that in the past years have been thronging with butterflies, and bees, hummers attend also.

this year tho, no butterflies, but perhaps it's too early for monarchs?
I'll keep watching.

dp

[pinto]

9. I think the monarchs have moved on, no? I'm in CA. They usually winter here.

:shrug:

I like the butterfly bush suggestion. It's a sure fire beauty and a feeder. Great on the coast.

[pansypoo53219]

16. have lots of bee like bugs

and butterflies. get dragonflies occasionally as well. last year watched one eat a bug. the goldfinches adore the catnip.

[NV Whino]

7. The bees are doing fine in my area

as are the butterflies and the birds.

I've never had as many bees as I have this year... unless you count the year they swarmed and ended up in my attic. But that's another story.

[DesertRat]

8. Great ideas. Make your own hummingbird nectar

Boil water then add sugar in a ratio of 4 parts water, 1 part sugar. Let cool then add it to a clean feeder. You can make up a batch and store it in the refrigerator. Change the nectar on a regular basis to keep it fresh, especially in hot weather.

:hi:

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. For butterfly fanciers, this is a must:

Grow pipevine, wild purple passion (I think it's also called maypop) and lantana.

That combination will give you at least four different kinds of butterflies, if you live in the Southeast. The pipevine will attract Polydamas caterpillars which turn into Gold Rim Swallowtails, the purple passions will provide food for Gulf fritillery, long-wing Zebras and Julia caterpillars. The Lanatana, especially if you allow it to grow bat-shit crazy, will attract nearby butterflies. I get all kinds. Tiger Swallowtails, Black Swallowtails, Monarchs, Sulphurs.

Oh, and where you plant them will make a difference in your crop of butterflies. If you plant purple passion in the sun, you'll get more Gulf Fritillery. In the shade and especially near woodlands, you'll get the long-winged zebras.

[eppur_se_muova]

11. So what do luna moths like?

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Seems to like trees.

Female Luna moths lay grayish-brown, cylindrical eggs singly or in small groups on the underside of host-plant leaves. White birch is the favored host plant in the North. Black walnut, butternut, hickory, persimmon, sweetgum, alder, beech, willow, wild cherry or sumac may be chosen in other locations.



http://butterflywebsite.com/articles/bgq/LunaMoth.htm

As gorgeous as they are, I can't see giving up garden space because they're nocturnal.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. Thanks! I keep vampire hours a lot, so I've seen my share :) nt

[LiberalEsto]

13. Try agastache (Korean mint)

It's great for attracting bees.
Elecampane (Inula) is also a big draw for honeybees.