Short on space for wildlife gardening? Think vertically!

A vine in a container with a simple trellis can attract wildlife. Below are some choices for you to consider for your small outdoor space.

Read more

Cats eat birds.

Yes, some cats will never kill a bird, like a cat kept entirely indoors, but outdoors cats - both domesticated and feral - hunt and kill birds.

But how much of an impact do these cats make?

Read more

This week's link roundup includes

1. An article on how to attract squirrels
2. The folks at the Backyard Bird Company also appreciate the friendly orchard bee
3. How to Make a Butterfly Container Garden
4. A clear description of hummingbirds
5. An Aububon Society effort to help native birds in urban areas, including which birds you can target to help

An Audubon Society outreach targetting those with yards, this program has several key points that apply to those of us with small wildlife areas.

You can provide habitat for native birds in urban areas by planting native trees and bushes wherever possible, including as foundation plantings or even as rooftop gardens.

A basic description of hummingbirds from the Defenders of Wildlife:

Hummingbirds can fly right, left, up, down, backwards, and even upside down. They are also able to hover by flapping their wings in a figure-8 pattern. They have a specialized long and tapered bill that is used to obtain nectar from the center of long, tubular flowers.

A good, basic description of the orchard mason bee:

This gentle, black bee is native to most of the continental U.S. It is a pollinator of fruit trees and flowers... These are non-aggressive bees and will not provide a danger to yards with pets or children as long as the bees are treated gently.

From Drs. Foster and Smith:

If your squirrels have grown accustomed to sunflower seed from your bird feeder, try mixing some into their squirrel food until they get used to their own feeding station.

One great way to attract butterflies to your patio or yard is by creating a butterfly container garden. A container garden is really just a bunch of plants in a large pot or planter. They can be positioned on your deck or patio, or even put on wheeled carts so they can be moved.

Droll Yankees Armored Nyjer® Feeder is a solid, quality feeder with few drawbacks.

The feeder design deters squirrels, and the feeder construction is durable. The seed ports are a little hard for finches to access at first, and debris can become trapped in the bottom of the feeder.

Read more

Droll Yankees Armored Nyjer® Feeder is a solid, quality feeder with few drawbacks.

It is durable and deters squirrels. The seed ports are a little hard for finches to access at first, and debris can become trapped in the bottom of the feeder.

See my review for further details.

A news report from last summer but still relevant:

The populations of nearly two dozen common American birds... are half what they were 40 years ago, a new analysis found.

New to attracting wildlife to your home? Think attracting wildlife to your small outdoor space or urban area may be hard?

These wild birds may be the easiest to attract to your porch, patio, deck, balcony, or backyard.

Read more

Today I'm profiling the perennial, Echinacea purpurea, also known as Purple (or other color) Coneflower. It's native to parts of North America and attracts birds and pollinators, including butterflies. Different colors are available, and it's relatively easy to grow.

Read more

This is the seventh in a series of ideas for a dream wildlife deck. This week, I'll be talking about flowering container plants that attract wildlife.

Read more

Interested in a good deal on products for your wildlife porch, patio, deck, or balcony?

Read more

For those of you out there who want to know - I'm changing the posting schedule here at the Wildlife Porch. Here's the idea:

Read more

Want a specific goal in attracting wildlife?

Certify your small outdoor space - porch, patio, deck, balcony, or backyard - as a wildlife habitat.

Read more

The National Wildlife Federation is arguably the leader in backyard or small space wildlife habit certification. They have tons of information to make it easier for you to attract wildlife to your small porch, patio, deck, or balcony.

Watching wildlife in action can be fun and relaxing for everyone. Your habitat may attract beautiful songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and other interesting wildlife for viewing from your very own window...

Once your habitat is certified by NWF, you can order and display an attractive Certified Wildlife Habitat sign to convey your commitment to wildlife conservation and the environment, and help you spread the word to your neighbors.

This book is one of the few on wildlife gardening that gives a nod to smaller outdoor spaces like balconies, decks, porches, and patios. It covers some easy, small projects to get you started.

A free video library of the world's birds, the Internet Bird Collection offers a fascinating view of not only wild birds you can see on your own wildlife porch or other small outdoor space at home but also birds most of us will not see in our lifetimes.

This is the sixth in a series of ideas for a dream wildlife deck (or porch, or patio, or balcony... you get the idea). This week, I'll be talking about container vines and shrubs for wildlife, especially wild birds.

Read more

I've experienced eBirdseed as a customer and as an affiliate. Their service has always been generous and helpful. And their products are higher quality for less expense.

Black-oil sunflower seed is one of the best birdseeds for wild birds.

Want to mount a bird feeder to your deck? Looking for a simple hook to clamp to your deck railing?

This angled deck rail hook could meet your needs.

If you choose to offer nectar solution to hummingbirds (I recommend plants instead of a solution), this feeder may be the most elegant way feed hummingbirds.

Now that spring is on its way here in North America, what returning or new visitors could you see around your wildlife porch, patio, deck, balcony, or other small outdoor space?

Read more

Many of our summer birds -- the neo-tropical migrants -- travel thousands of miles twice each year between their wintering homes in the south and breeding grounds in the north. And even scientists who have spent years trying to solve the mystery of migration don't have all the answers.

Help the organization Journey North to track migrations and signs of spring.

Do you want to attract wildlife with a water garden but live with a small outdoor space?

Think about these 4 considerations for container water gardening.

Read more

Instructions on building a small container water garden.

Container water gardening instructions, with a select plant list.