Hi Question:

[elleng]

Moving from apartment to townhouse in Silver Spring, MD. Has SMALL, enclosed yard, surrounded by community lawn; fruit trees around. What of interest might I see?

Former house in DC, not mid-city, saw jays, cardinals.

Thanks

[semillama]

1. A few possibilities

Northern Mockingbird, Robin, the jays and cardinals, song sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Goldfinch. House Sparrow, of course, and Mourning Dove.

Keep your eyes peeled and you can see a lot more than that - in my central Columbus, Ohio, neighborhood, I've seen things like Common Nighthawk and Cooper's Hawk, and Red-shouldered Hawks are supposed to breed in a ravine nearby.

Are you putting up feeders, and do you have any trees or shrubs in the yard itself?

[elleng]

2. semillama, just moving in tomorrow, so will consider feeders

after consulting with y'all!

I spent some time there today, and I realize I shouldn't call it a 'yard;' its more like a largish deck, but not elevated. The common grounds contain trees and bushes, including some evergreen, and within my 'deck,' there are magnolia (buds out!) and an ornamental pear, which I'm told is extremely lovely and blooms more often than one should expect.

In front of townhouse there's a crabapple, and I'm told that a crabby neighbor complains about the darn petals, all over the place!

I've read a small bit about what to plant, thinking herbs would be good; didn't know about light. Now I do; good morning - 1:30 or so sun (today, that is), and by 3:30, all shade. I read that hummingbirds and butterflies love pineapple sage, so may try that; would like fragrance. Maybe lavendar; hope enough sun.

So that's what i know about the place now; haven't spent much time there, but it belongs to a friend, and I'm very pleased!

THANKS for your help!

[semillama]

3. oh, you should get some good birds then

the ornamental berries are great for frutivores, and the buds of the magnolia will attract bugs which in turn will attract warblers. Once spring migration gets going, I suggest sticking some oranges cut in half on nails on your deck, that will bring in orioles. and put up a hummer feeder too.

You have a much better backyard than me - no trees at all for me, one rosebush that house sparrows roost in and that's it.

[XemaSab]

4. To this I'd add

titmice, chickadees, wrens, RT hummingbird, and maybe grackles? :shrug:

/not from teh east coast :D