I’ve talked about angels in the garden and thought I’d share a few bird tales, for good measure.
We mostly avoid pesticides of any kind in our yard and are rewarded with plenty of bird sightings. We’ve had brightly colored birds, and even enjoyed a wren family that moved into a bird house in the garden. They returned later that same year and raised a second family. Unfortunately the post that held their home rotted and we’ve not replaced it, so we haven’t seen them lately. There are several birds that use our bath facilities and we thoroughly enjoy seeing them nibbling unwanted insects off the roses.
Unfortunately we have crows hanging around the neighborhood as well, none in our back yard but they definitely perch on the light post in front of our house. My only objection to them is their predatory habits where baby birds are concerned.
The hummingbirds are plentiful and mainly enjoy the lavender, Penstemon and Lakeview Jasmine tree we have in the knot garden.
{The Angelonia attracts hummingbirds}
As I’ve mentioned before, I really don’t want to get too heavy handed with the garden art as our yard is really compact and Hubby has commented he doesn’t want our home to start resembling the cliché for “old” folk’s homes. But a little metal bird here and there sort of makes up for the brevity of the visits we experience with the real thing.
As I was looking at plant lists that attract birds it turns out, quite by accident, that we have several plants that naturally entice birds into the garden. Here is a very partial list: Oakleaf hydrangea, privet ‘ligustrom’, gaura, columbine, boxwood and lots of trees.
{This variety of lavender, ‘goodwin creek’ attracts hummingbirds and butterflies}
{The Lakeview Jasmine tree is in the upper right corner of this photograph, it’s hard to see due to the espaliered star jasmine}
I particularly enjoy rusty birds…
We may be shopping for new digs for our little wren family, what do you think of these?
~or~
Does your yard attract birds? I know some of you live in regions that probably have such amazing birds. Maybe I need to get some binoculars and a book on birds!
I’m over at Tracie’s Garden Party, stop by for a visit.
Garden, Home & Party 
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes said:
I am not at all a birder, but we sometimes get finches, which are tiny, and adorable.
Our block has a LOT of cats that are permitted to go outside, and I assume that most of them have claws… I was really bothered by the thoughtlessness of some of the neighbors—songbirds are being decimated by cats, if you didn’t know.
Until one of them moved and abandoned behind their cat… who we adopted (Paul is the only thing preventing me from being a crazy cat-lady) and she is an outdoor cat. Bringing her inside is miserable and she goes crazy. But she’s perfectly fine outside. Except that she occasionally kills birds, and I’m at a loss as to what to do about it. I KNOW better… But don’t have a better solution. I bought her a bird-safe collar thing, but she went nuts trying to get it off.
Anyway, if I were a bird I would be happy with either of those palatial homes. Although I would want to be sure it was wired for WiFi…
Karen B. said:
Victoria,
If it makes you feel any better on the issue of cats with claws eating the sweet little birdies, our cat, Maggie, is largely an indoor cat, declawed, and there have been too many bird killings to remember during her 15 year life. Oh, and are they the hideous black birds that rob nests, nooo, it’s the cute little wrens and finch. Cats prey on small creatures and in our area and coyotes prey on cats…nature can be unmerciful.
Cracks me up that you could be a cat lady.
Great idea about WiFi in the bird house, would a flat screen set to Animal Planet be good too?
🙂
Karen
Ricki Jill Treleaven said:
We love to watch birds. We have several cardinal pairs living on our property. We also have mourning doves, robins, and hummingbirds. We also have a Cooper’s hawk who lives in our woods behind the house, and we have spotted and heard a barred owl, too.
I really love the little birdhouses. I think they are pretty and charming. I think they would enhance your garden and NOT look like an old folks’ home….I think you should buy one!
Karen B. said:
Ricki Jill,
How fun to have cardinals and owls. I’ve been told we have Barn Owls in our area but never seen them and our morning doves seem to have diminished to some degree, probably due to the nest robbers (Crows).
The bird houses are pricey, I’ll have to put them on my list.
Karen
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
Loved the pics of your garden and I think a dovecote would look fabulous in it. I love all the birds in our area – especially the owls and blue jays. The pileated woodpeckers are another story! One of them was pecking at the back door the other day and I nearly jumped out of my skin. The adults are the size of cats. They are noisy, they poop everywhere, and their call/laugh is nothing like Woody Woodpecker.
Linda
Karen B. said:
Linda,
I know, these darn birds can be a mixed blessing. A wood pecker at the back door would alarm me too.
xo,
Karen
Loi Thai said:
Hi, Karen –
I’m sorry I never commented on your espaliered star jasmine, but it is gorgeous!! Was I blind? How long did it take for it to fill in? Does it have a beautiful fragrance? As with the angels, I think your birds are charming 🙂
Cheers,
Loi
Karen B. said:
Loi,
In Southern California the star jasmine [trachelospermum jasminoides] grows like a weed and knows no predator so it was 2/3 full by the 1 year mark. It took another 4 months or so for it to fill in but the corner behind the Lakeview Jasmine tree shades it too much and it has never filled in up there. The fragrance is wonderful about 2 times per year. Twice a year it takes a major pruning to get it back on track. I planted 2 – 5 gallon plants and separated each branch and attached it to the pre-installed wire. I really enjoy it most of the time, except on the major pruning day!
Karen
Kifus said:
Hi Karen, here in our garden in Peru we have humming birds which are surprisingly brown. In Argentina we have the green and blue type and I had never seen a brown one until now. There are also lovely red birds which seem to be quite common here, I believe their name is Vermilion Flycatcher. Then there’s a hawk’s nest in one of our Eucalyptus trees. What else, oh yes, there are light blue birds and finally yellow canaries. I love watching them, but I get quite frustrated when I want to take a photograph, they always fly away before I’m ready to shoot.
Love both of those birdhouses, can’t make up my mind which I like best!
Kifus
Karen B. said:
Kifus,
I used to own a canary. I had the romantic notion it would sing beautifully for me. It rarely sang, but I was still always happy to see him/her each day. I now enjoy the birds that are fairly self sufficient living in the garden. I have never seen a brown hummingbird but there was a Discovery special on TV once and the variety of hummingbirds around the world is more than I imagined.
I do love hawks and we have a fair number of red tail hawks living in the area, but I know they can grab a small cat and make off with them, so I respect their presence but keep our little kitty indoors much of the time. 🙂 How fun to hear from someone in another country share details with me, thank you.
Karen
Carla said:
Karen…loved your post about birds in the garden. We are so excited here because FINALLY a family of tiny birds…sorry I am not bird savy so I don’t know what type of birds they are….have moved into our dovecote on hill after years of it being empty. We also have an abundance of doves in our garden and it is lovely to see them strut across the balcony railing. Now for my churlish bird side….I have a nest under my eaves that seems to be a haven from the hawks and crows. We have had numerous birds use this nest and while I love the circle of life and the affirmation of nature just like everyone else…I hate all the bird droppings on my teak furniture and you can forget about having any cushions outside! What to do with loving Nature but hating bird poo? Oh well….. I hear a birdsong right now…CARLA
Karen B. said:
Carla,
I’m so excited to hear that your dovecote has residents. They are undoubtedly California wren, they will often reuse a site year after year, or so Google search tells me. If the nest under your eaves is empty, I’d remove it to discourage the birds that create a mess. Bird poo doesn’t mix with a pleasant outdoor rest. 🙂
Karen
Fishtail Cottage said:
love love love any birdie in the gardens~even those pesky crows! lol i just see the garden as ‘alive’ when there are chirps included! thanks for linking up to Fishtail Cottage ‘s garden party this week ~ can’t believe the gardening season is coming to end! xoox, tracie
Karen B. said:
Hi Tracie,
I was up in your neck of the woods a week ago and the weather on Bainbridge Island was perfect. I sure love your state and surrounding area. October is our best gardening month here in Southern California.
Thank you for hosting another/last garden party.
Karen
Becky Elmuccio (@craftygrdenmama) said:
Thanks for the lovely tour of your garden! We are planning to plant some flowers to attract hummingbirds next year. I’ve started a new Tuesday Greens linky for gardening and sustainable living, so please swing by and share a post. http://www.craftygardenmama.com
Karen B. said:
Becky,
Thank you. So nice to meet you. Hummingbirds are so much fun to watch. I’m happy to know of your Tuesday Greens link party. I’ll definitely visit.
I’m headed over to visit your site.
Karen
Kay Ellen said:
Lovely Garden blooms and treasures!
Happy Garden Party!
xo
Kay Ellen
Karen B. said:
Thank you for stopping by! So nice to meet you.
Karen