Design Spotlight: Avian Brick Homes

It seems to be becoming more and more popular to design sustainable architecture and develop more resiliency in urban ecosystems. Hopefully this becomes more of a way of life rather than a fad, as providing living spaces for the creatures that have lost their habitats to human activities is very important. UK-based designer Chooi-leng Tan has taken the approach of integrating avian habitats directly into new construction in the form of special bricks.

These modular pieces can be stacked or arranged together in various and specific ways to create new homes for urban birds and insects. These come in three different shapes and provide access to water and food which can be placed within the brick's basin. Not only can these bricks provide habitats for birds and insects, you can also place plants within them as well.

However, not much information seems to be provided on the plans for upkeep of these. Is there a designated water-er? But nonetheless it's great to see designers thinking about our fine feathered friends!

~ James
Garden Media Group


* February is National Bird Feeding Month! and in honor of that our featured gift for GMG's Lucky 13 giveaway this month is the Squirrel Slammer Wild Bird Feeder from Perky Pet®! Like us on Facebook for more information and a chance to win!

GMG's Friday Find: For The Birds!

Perky Pet Copper Triple Tube Bird Feeder

If you live in a region where winter settles in with freezing temps, ice and snow, you know how important it can be to feed the birds.  You can certainly go and buy bird feed, or you can make your own!  Here are several ideas for what birds love to eat and some easy homemade treats for your feathered friends.

If you want to buy rather than make, look for: 1) black-oil sunflower seed, (the grandaddy of seed, almost all birds love it), 2) peanuts, 3) suet, 4) thistle seed, 5) safflower seed, 6) cracked corn, 7) mealworms (bluebirds love them), 8) fruit (grapes, apples and banana slices are excellent choices).

For a fun DIY project consider making your feed from your kitchen pantry.  A bagel treat is super easy.  Cut your bagel in half and spread peanut butter or honey on the cut side. Sprinkle the bagel with some birdseed, thread some yarn or cording through the bagel and make a loop, then hang from your deck or tree limb.

What to do with that stale cereal?  Make a cereal garland by stringing dental floss onto a needle and then the cereal.  Drape several garlands over a bush or tree limb and watch the birds enjoy their special treat.

You can feed many of your kitchen scraps to your backyard birds.  They enjoy stale or dry bread, cakes and cookies broken into small pieces.  Hard bits of cheese are good, even leftover plain pasta or rice is a great source of carbohydrates.  After your Sunday dinner gather the leftover peas, corn and baked potatoes to offer to the birds.  You can even toss them cooked eggs after your breakfast for essential nutrients birds need. 

Our feathered friends need a little help in the winter foraging for food.  If you have other ideas for homemade bird feed, comment below, we'd love to hear from you.

~Peggy
Garden Media Group

For the love of birds in your backyard habitat

Ah, fall. A glorious patchwork of vibrant colors splashed like a sunset across landscapes. I'm a fall junkie. Love the changing leaves, hearty soups, fall bounty and harvest celebrations. Plus, it's a great time to plant before old man winter visits.

When planning your landscape, consider plants that provide habitats for birds and other wildlife that are integral players in the delicate ecosystem. 

The National Audubon Society suggests planting native plants that provide nuts, seeds, fruit and nectar.  Browse the site for shrubs, grasses, vines and trees that provide shelter and food sources for specific birds along with great tips and resources you and your family can enjoy together.

Chickadees, cardinals and finches love seeds found in coneflowers, asters, grasses, fir and maple. 

Yellow-rumped warblers and bluebirds will flock to fruit-bearing shrubs like elderberry, blueberry and pokeberry and hummingbirds hover for nectar around columbine, lobelia, Bee Balm and the new Bloomtastic! butterfly bushes Lavender Veil and Purple Splendor. 

Majestic trees like walnut, hickory, chestnut and oak provide shelter and nuts for nuthatches and more.

Prepare your garden now and you can have spectacular year round color and beauty and a perfect habitat for wildlife.

                                                 

Let us know your favorite birds and what you've planted to attract them to your backyard habitat

Lynne
Garden Media Group

photos: landscapes: American Beauties Native Plants; Bloomtastic! Buddleia Lavender Veil; Nuthatch: WikiCommons

Get Ready for National Planting Day on September 8th

Let's hear it for the first ever National Planting Day!  Hosted by Keep America Beautiful and its affiliates, National Planting Day celebrates the value and power of native species in our environment.

Do your part and plan to plant natives at home or join in a volunteer effort with your friends and family to beautify your community. It's that easy!

Why natives you ask? According the National Planting Day website, they're actually losing ground to suburbanization, fragmented habitats, ornamental plants and

invasive species. These plants are really critical to attracting pollinators and insects, which in turn provide food for birds and ultimately many more animals up the food chain. What's great about natives is that they're hardy, low maintenance plants that require less water than other ornaments. If you want to learn more about natives, check the American Beauties website at www.abnativeplants.com.

And to get involved in your area on National Planting Day, visit  http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Get_involved.

Happy Planting!

-Stacey

Garden Media Group

TODAY Show Celebrates Earth Day with American Beauties

Yesterday American Beauties Native Plants was highlighted on the weekend edition of NBC's TODAY Show! The Earth Day segment featured David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Federation and how to Garden for Wildlife! Watch it below or click here!



-Karen
Garden Media Group