Is that a Brush Pile or a Pile of Brush?

Do you enjoy seeing wildlife? Do you have lots of smaller diameter low-value trees on your property? If so, constructing brush piles is for you. They are a great way to increase numbers of many kinds of small game and non-game species. Here are some tips on making a long-lasting brush pile instead of a pile of brush.

Good locations include edges of fields and woods, fence corners, shallow gullies, near ponds and food strips. A brush pile in your yard can be small and tucked into a corner. Do not place them in the middle of a field, in standing water, or where there is severe erosion on a steep slope. Brush piles are flammable, so keep them away from buildings. Several medium-sized piles (10-15 feet wide and 5-8 feet high) are better than one large pile. Space them 300 feet apart or less.

Make a base with stumps and logs that are at least six inches in diameter. Lay them four to six inches apart. Stack the next layer at right angles to the first, log-cabin style and the next with smaller logs, again at right angles.

Pile smaller brush on top of the logs so the base is covered and the brush touches the ground. Make your top layers denser, working in even smaller branches. Allow openings into the base that are not covered by the brush on top.

Considering planting native vines to grow over your brush pile. They are attractive and their fruit will attract birds.

For additional instructions, methods and materials see the full article by David Scamardella, Service Forester, PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Michael and Laura Jackson, PA Forest Stewards Volunteers. It is in the Winter 2012 issue of Forest Leaves, available at http://extension.psu.edu/private-forests/news/newsletters/forest-leaves/winter-2012/view. Or call your county extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Helpline at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu.

Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County

Wild Bird Feeding- Is it OK?

More than 55 million Americans feed wild birds and a third of Pennsylvanians observe wildlife around their homes. And according to an article by Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), they spend millions of dollars on these pastimes; making them part of a full-fledged American industry that influences our economy.

And while Doug Gross, PGC biologist, prefers planting vegetation beneficial to birds before hanging feeders he recognizes not everyone can do so. So here are some bird-feeder tips from Gross.

Location

• Place feeders near cover to shield songbirds from avian predators AND at least 15 feet away from windows (that they may fly into) as well as from groundcover (that might hide cats).


• Make sure there is some nearby cover for birds to use for perching and seed-cracking.

Feeders, food, and water

• Select the feeder and seeds/food that would attract the species you want to visit. The three easiest ways to attract the greatest number of birds involve using cylindrical feeders filled with black-oil sunflower seeds and/or thistle seeds and suet feeders, and ground feeding with corn, millet and black-oil sunflower seeds.


• After seeds, some great choices are raisins for Carolina wrens and thrushes; peanuts for blue jays, cardinals and nuthatches; even peanut-butter smeared in tree crevices.


• A heated birdbath also attracts birds; not because it's heated, but rather because it offers accessible water.


• While most birds will not become dependent on feeders, if you commit to feeding birds in winter, it's best not to stop in the middle of winter.

Sanitation

• Keep your feeders clean so birds don't risk contracting diseases. If you're not seeing sick-looking birds at your feeder, cleaning it once or twice a month is sufficient. Increase the frequency to once a week if trouble shows.


• - Clean bird feeders with soap and water; then a solution that is one part of household bleach and nine parts of warm water. Rinse thoroughly and wait until it is completely dry before using it.


• - While bleach is the most effective cleanser, another cleaning solution can be made by mixing one part white vinegar to four parts warm water, but this solution will not kill viruses.


• "Another way to reduce the spread of disease at your feeders is to offer seeds in different areas and at multiple heights" Gross explained.

Unwanted visitors

Bird feeders could attract black bears, deer, raccoons, squirrels and field mice. Black bears had a rough fall - acorn crop failure - and some may be more active this winter than usual. Suet and black-oil sunflower seeds would be very appealing to them. Raccoons also are partial to suet. Deer, on the other hand, can be drawn by shelled corn. So can field mice. Squirrels come to just about everything you offer.

Flying squirrels, field mice and raccoons (and outside cities- Norway rats) sometimes look for and find hideouts in your house or garage. And once they get in, you have to get them out, find out how they got in and then seal the access point.

Other unwanted guests include starlings, house finches and house sparrows. Starlings, in particular, can really crowd feeders, and aggressively chase away other songbirds you may want to see. Corn and suet seem to be starling magnets, so pull in the corn when they start showing up and use suet feeders that require users to cling and feed, which starlings can't do well.

Habitat

And remembering that creating habitat is preferable to putting out a feeder, the Game Commission will be offering a variety of wildlife-friendly tree and shrub seedlings in its annual seedling sale. Check out the Game Commission's website for information on how to select and order seedlings from the agency's Howard Nursery (found under General Store).

To see the full article go to www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on Resources then News Releases and then Wild Bird Feeding: Is it OK?. Or call your county extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaMG@psu.edu.

Terry Schettini, Extension Educator

Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County