I got an email about a book, "Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife" by David Mizejewski. It looks interesting, but Amazon no longer lets you "read" the main part of the book. Anybody read this? How good? Worth a couple bucks for a used one? Any info most appreciated :o)
Terry
How good is this book?
Equilibrium
Oct 12, 2006
Go for it. I found this online about it-
Quoting:
When I was a 12-year-old paperboy, a family on my route had a substantial outdoor vivarium that housed a dozen or so box turtles. After I began appearing in their backyard every day to visit, they finally showed me how to build one of my own, and even gave me a few of their turtles as a sort of starter set. My trio of hard shells lived several more years before I ultimately set them free at a nearby pond.
Twenty years later, I've graduated to bats. Each summer evening at dusk, like clockwork, two winged denizens of the night, one large, one small (the kids have named them Eldridge and Matt, respectively) swoop down on our backyard, circle the swimming pool a couple of times, and then disappear into the approaching darkness.
The point of these two stories? Simply that nature--especially when it's unfolding right where you live--is just so cool. Thus, it was with great anticipation that I picked up this National Wildlife Federation book that describes in full and fascinating detail how to get the varied citizens of Mother Nature to set up shop on your property, whether it be a big spread in the country or a modest yard in suburbia.
Then I found this-
Quoting:
A backyard can come alive by creating an environment with plants and spaces that attract nature's most interesting and friendly creatures. Colorful butterflies, uplifting songbirds, and lively toads can enhance that personal garden space, giving pleasure to nature lovers of all ages. National Wildlife Federation Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife provides over a dozen step-by-step projects for families to do together, making getting back to nature easy, educational, and fun.
Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife shows homeowners how to fill their yards and gardens with the sights and sounds of nature. Author David Mizejewski presents simple plans for reintroducing native plants that birds, butterflies, and a whole host of critters can't resist. He also shows ways of supplementing nature to further entice wildlife to yards and gardens.
• 170 full-color photos of backyard wildlife habitats and the creatures they attract
• Over a dozen habitat-inducing projects, including birdhouses, bird feeders, a bat house,
a toad abode, roosting boxes, and more
• Information on using native plants
• How to provide food, water, and shelter
• Wildlife-friendly gardening practices, landscape designs
• How to certify your yard as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat site
• Resource Guide for further information
• Full cross-referenced index and glossary of important terms
"...describes in full and fascinating detail how to get the varied citizens of Mother Nature to set up shop on your property, whether it be a big spread in the country or a modest yard in suburbia..."
—USA Today Magazine
And then I found this on line-
Quoting:
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In this handsome book, Mizejewski, manager of the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program, offers a short guide to creating gardens and yards that promote ecological balance and provide natural habitats for a wide variety of wildlifeâ€"birds, butterflies, toads, snakes, bats, bees and necessary predators such as spiders, beetles, owls and hawks. In uncomplicated text accompanied by stunning photographs, he suggests native plants that can be used to attract birds and butterflies and gives simple instructions for family projectsâ€"creating attractive bird feeders and stocking them with food; building nesting boxes for birds, butterflies and bats, and houses for frogs, toads and salamanders; making and maintaining birdbaths, drinking areas, ponds and wetland habitats. The most valuable parts of the book are those in which Mizejewski emphasizes the importance of using native plants to maintain the mutual relationships that plants, animals and other living organisms have developed over the millennia and explains how exotic imports can disrupt this balance. His lists of desirable native plants and undesirable exotics are far from comprehensive, but he directs the reader to Web sites where further information is available. The text is brief, but with its 170 color photos, it provides a good starting point for homeowners who want to create attractive natural habitats. The book concludes with instructions for registering wildlife-friendly gardens with the National Wildlife Federation as official Backyard Wildlife Habitat sites.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
"With beautiful photographs, this book is extremely useful and accessible. It's a must for anyone interested in increasing the diversity of life in outdoor spaces."-Holly Shimizu, Executive Director of the U.S. Botanical Garden.
"To create your own backyarde habitat, you will need no other guide than this book. It is full of practical ideas, clever projects and delighful photographs."-Valerie Kelsey, President of the National Gardening Association.
Oh Equil, as always, you're my hero. Where I couldn't find much info, you did. I was afraid the plants would mostly be non natives, but reading it above, it looks like it is native. Which was my first instinct anyway. Thank you!
that sounds like a great book..
It does sound good, doesn't it? I'm going to order it later today. Now I have 2 books for winter reading. I need more!
I have the book, terryr, and it's excellent for the price. Great photos and lots of good information, simply presented. Can't swear to all the discussed plants being native, but many are.
Thanks! Nice to know someone has it and can recommend it. I can't wait to get it!
Another good book, especially if you can find it used or at a library, is "Wildlife-Friendly Plants" by Rosemary Creeser, from Firefly Books. Be advised, though, that this one includes non-native plants, including some invasives; so you need to research the plants elsewhere before planting. That said, the information it gives on each plant is excellent, including simple guide to light/soil/care requirements, creatures attracted to it, etc. I use it for a first basic screening (do I like it, do I have a place to grow it, will it attract/benefit creatures I have or would like to have, etc.); then do a second screening to check native/non-native/invasive status if it appeals.
Thanks! I'll write this down and definitely see if my library has it.
Well dang, I haven't received any of my books yet. Haven't run to the library yet, it's still nice enough to be outside, but it's still on my list of need to read books for winter!
I got all my books! I'm just about done doing outdoor things that have to be done before it gets really cold....so does anybody mind if I ask for snow?? Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...........then I can run to the library and get the other books mentioned above!
I want snow too!! I am wanting to start snowball fights at work. And go sledding.
I've still got my ice skates........
Equilibrium
Nov 08, 2006
Bizarre weather here for this time of year considering it has snowed by us three times already. Today it was 64F. Gosh, forget the snowballs and whip out the bikinis!
I'd rather have the snow. I've already threatened to start snowball fights there when it snows and that no one is safe. They wait in terror.
Equilibrium
Nov 08, 2006
I like heat, I'd rather hold off on the cold weather and snowballs for a bit.
As long as there's snow on Christmas.
I want snow for my birthday.We usually get a little bit of flurries around that time. Let's get snowed in! I'm with pepper, I want snow!
When's your birthday Terry?
12 days.
Cool. Happy early Birthday!! Just in case I forget on the real day. LOL.
Equilibrium
Nov 09, 2006
Old fart!
Old fart!
Old fart!
Thank you pepper!
Old fart?? And since you're about a decade older, just what does that make you?? What are you getting me anyway?? 07 Mustang?
Equilibrium
Nov 09, 2006
You really know how to hurt a gal.
Yes, the '07 Mustang Hot Wheels stocking stuffers should be out shortly. What color would you like?
Oh goody! Anything but red. You pick and surprise me!
You started it......nanner nanner...........
Equilibrium
Nov 09, 2006
Ok, a surprise it is then.