Forum Role: Participant
Active Since: November 12, 2018
Topics Started: 0
Replies Created: 6

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • Leonard
    Participant
    Naturescaping and birding is a logical combination. Especially being novices, my wife and I are learning new things everyday and that is what makes it so exciting! We live in a temperate region in Northeast U.S. and along a major migration route for many species of birds. Our naturescaping is already reaping rewards of being able to view both increased populations and the number of species of birds (including predatory species like the Cooper's hawk-please see photo). I am posting photos on social media of our now very wild backyard! I also do wildlife rescues in the metro-NY area and actively spread the good news about the advantages of native gardening.IMG_1558
    in reply to: Enjoy and Share #834658
  • Leonard
    Participant
    Our plan is to expand our native plant areas to other parts of our yard. It's an easy decision to first make changes where grass or non-natives don't thrive or require high maintenance and watering. Probably the next area we will tackle is a corner of the yard that gets full sun and where the grass turns brown mid-summer. This course has offered invaluable online references for choosing the right plant for the right area. We are also fortunate to have an area untouched by development (amazing!) on Long Island called Hempstead Plains where visitors can see native flora that once covered much of Long Island. Native gardening is such an enjoyable and doable way to help reverse some of the human impact on the environment.          
    in reply to: Dig In! #834552
  • Leonard
    Participant
    My ecoregion is 'Long Island Sound Coastal Lowland' and hardiness zone is USDA 7a (0 to 5 degree F). My wife and I have lived on our current property for 35 years and, up to now, have continued maintaining a traditional non-native lawn/landscaping that we 'inherited' from the previous owner. It is a work-in-progress but we are continuing to convert to native flora (learning a lot and having a great time doing it!). I believe native gardening is just starting to take hold in our area and we have found nurseries are starting to get the message. Mapping out our space and determining growing conditions has been a trial and error process to determine what native plants do best where but we are making real progress. The first area that we designated as all native was an area between two trees (a large oak and Norwegian Spruce) that was not ideal for either lawn or non-native flora. It is now not only an anesthetically beautiful view out our front window but a food source for both birds and pollinators.
  • Leonard
    Participant
    Overall, I believe we are making good progress in the right direction. For a small lot we have good diversity and high percentage of native plants and trees that are in turn attracting a diverse group of birds, mammals, and invertebrates. We also have good vertical diversity ranging from  a mix of native  and non-native ground cover to shrubs and trees with a maximum height of 50 to 75 ft (includes oak and spruce). We also provide fallen leaf coverage where ever possible. Areas of improvement would be to add more native fruit-bearing vegetation for year round foraging. For bird safety, we make sure all outside lights are turned off at night and window blinds are angled to reduce reflection during daytime hours. One problem I continue to have is that of neighbors continuing to let their cats outdoors! (verified by a camera trap photos).  This is a not a new problem across our country (or the world) but it needs to be more openly addressed. I do wildlife rescues and I try to educate the public that keeping their cat indoors is also safer for them...and they are just as happy.
  • Leonard
    Participant
    Our yard is very bird friendly based on the number of species that visit. It is still a work in progress as we are adding native plants and we need to add more fruit bearing bushes/trees. We also have a bird bath that I am very diligent with cleaning and maintaining fresh water and we have various feeders to add to their diets year round.
  • Leonard
    Participant
    My wife and I live in a very developed area of Long Island and we both very much appreciate nature. In our own small way we wanted to 'give back' by planting a native garden in a section of our front yard. After only two years, and being very much novices, we are already seeing the rewards of both improved aesthetics to our yard as well as drawing more birds and insect pollinators. We are definitely hooked! IMG_6259
Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)