Bird Watching: Bird/Butterfly Gardening Hand in Hand(A simple approach), 1 by debnes_dfw_tx

debnes_dfw_tx wrote:
Hi BW friends!
I have enjoyed a diverse array of wildlife here in N TX for a number of years, especially butterflies, and the birds have always been here too. Noticing much more lately how having all the butterflies has made permanent residents of some very desirable birds as well. Had to drop in and share this with you guys....

Here are a couple simple things anyone can try whether you've been bird and/or
butterlfy gardening a long time or have only thought about getting closer to either
or both these amazing creatures. (I'm happy to know some of you already have lots of butterflies and birds,)
1) Plant some native nectar and host plants for the desired native butterfly species in the
main garden. 2) Keep some in pots near the work/sitting area, deck, and/or patio.
The female butterflies will find your potted plants and you can take it from there, but here
are some simple suggestions of what can be done when they come.
*Notes: a) The butterflies you plan to accomodate must be the species typically found and seen first hand in your area. b) The best plant cultivar is the host plant that is an official USDA native to that specific state and area. c) Never use pestacides.

When caterpillars or egg laying are observed and correctly identified, you can;
Move them to the main garden in-ground plants, (to save the potted ones),
Cage a few, (to raise and watch), ...or
Cage all of them found (to protect from insect predators/parasites).
Some wildlife gardeners might choose to deliberatly save only some, or leave all caterpillars for the resident birds.
I choose to leave just a few, such as Black Swallowtail cats out there for the Cardinals, Robins, and Wrens, etc. Accepting that some of the caterpillars are very good at hiding, and birds are excellent at finding them. in winter I get meal worms for the resident and visiting winter birds. In summer I save a lot because there are plenty of various moth caterpillars for them, as well as the occasional butterfly cats.

This is one approach to a less hands on but truely official butterfly and/or bird gardening.
This could help to establish wildlife for getting certified as an official native wildlife garden. There can be many variations of these basic elements to fit your gardening and your life. Choose whatever level of involvment that fits. Even if your only interest is to take pictures. Bird gardeners in particular, will see a lot more action by simply providing host plants for caterpillars. Rest in knowing that a good number will slip by all the danger and become butterflies. Observations show that they really seem to love the good ole fashion challenge to survive. Most actually require the struggle.

I'm pretty sure that I can't leave out the major players that belong in my garden without the potential of casting some to being endangered. Hindsight isn't a good teacher if we don't have any players to try again with.

I'm thinking a happy garden one that is well rounded and serves the fullest circle of life within it? What are some of your thoughts?

:-Deb

Carolina Wren abscounding with a little (?) brown caterpillar, The Wrens love the webworms too, (yaay!), and they get an occasional fritillary or swallowtail by hanging around here and doing such a good job.:-).