Do think about shelter — Nobody wants to travel far to get food when they’re hungry — birds included. So try introducing a berry plant near your favorite large tree. I like placing berries next to evergreen trees and shrubs.

Evergreens are the popular housing choice for many birds, like warblers and nuthatches. Their dense foliage provides protection from predators and bad weather.

Don’t plant near a window — Birds don’t see windows. They see what’s on the other side and think they can fly right to it. Rather than covering your windows, plant your bird-attracting trees and shrubs at least 10 feet away. You’ll save the lives of your favorite songbirds and you’ll still enjoy the view.

Do create a bird haven — Plant for diversity when you’re catering to birds. While catbirds love eating berries, sparrows are partial to nuts and seeds. Scarlet tanagers build nests high on tree branches; hermit thrushes prefer to nest below shrubs. Use the “Berries and The Birds Who Love Them” chart to find other berry plants that will attract different birds. Having variety in your garden offers more options for shelter and food, so you can cater to even the most finicky of birds.

Don’t forget water — A shallow tray or half-filled pan will work fine, but if you’re looking for something visually pleasing, a pond or birdbath could be the answer. Just make sure it’s less than 3 inches deep or the birds won’t use it. You may also want to add a small fountain to your garden — the sound of running water will attract birds.

Put in the right plants and follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying birds in your garden, too. It’s that easy!

-- Amanda Wurzinger
From Garden Gate Issue 54, December 2003

Gallo followed the tracks through the tangle of bushes until he found what looked like an undisturbed nest. Satisfied, he retraced his steps to the water’s edge, scuffing away the dimpled footprints as he went. It’s now illegal to take turtle eggs, he explained, but it’s better to remove temptation from a casual passerby.

Gallo, conservationist, youth leader, and former Mr. Honduras, was midway on a patrol around the island of Utila, off Honduras’ north coast. As head of the turtle conservation program of the Bay Islands Conservation Association (BICA), he pays special attention to this swath of beach, which is a favored nesting area. The beach area is protected by municipal ordinance and managed by BICA.

Gallo returned to the skiff, which was piloted by BICA President Antonio Woods. They turned back out to sea, crossing over flats covered with sea grass and out past the breakers marking the edge of the world’s second largest barrier reef.

“This reef doesn’s just belong to the islanders, or to Honduras, but to the whole world,” said Woods. Although he applauded the local municipality for passing an ordinance to give the reef at least some measure of protection, he said that the central government must provide its support to safeguard this fragile ecosystem for the long term.

Nearing the western end of the island, Gallo spotted a small plastic container bobbing in the waves. He suspected it was marking an illegal lobster trap. He hauled the line attached to it, only to have it break as the trap came into view.

Ecological limits. In contrast to the diversity in the waters surrounding them, the small size of the islands themselves puts strict limits on numbers of species they can sustain. Only 13 km long and 4 km wide, and 80 percent consisting of mangrove swamp, Utila nevertheless contains areas of intact natural forests and several endemic species of animals.

One is the Utila iguana (Ctenosaura bakeri), a large—and to many residents, tasty—reptile considered to be endangered. It too has its advocates.

A short walk from the center of Utila Town takes a visitor to the Iguana Station. Primarily supported by German and other European organizations, the station’s tiny staff and corps of enthusiastic volunteers run an islandwide program of environmental education while carrying out captive breeding and research.

Station Director Karsten Gees and a group of volunteers were weighing and measuring juvenile iguanas, part of an ongoing effort to get the data needed to design protection measures. He explained that a municipal ban on hunting in 1995 removed a lot of the pressure on the iguana population. “But we’re concerned that development is going to reduce critical habitat,” he said.

The iguanas live in mangrove swamps, which are protected. But the females lay their eggs in the sandy beaches. Gees would like to buy some beachfront property for an iguana reserve, but first his group’s research must provide answers to some critical questions. How much land will do the job? Are some areas more suitable than others? How well can iguanas tolerate disturbances, such as passing cars?

Gees applauded the present municipal government’s eagerness to pass ordinances to protect sensitive terrestrial and marine areas. “But what about the next mayor?” he asked. For safeguards to be real, he says, the central government must guarantee their protected status on into the future.

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