The Booming Hobby of Bird Watching

How Birds Help Your Plants.

When I was a camper in Vermont in the mid 70’s , there was an invitation each summer from our stern camp director to go ‘burd’ watching and to find the prized Scarlett Tanager she knew lived in the surrounding forest. It was the one event Judy offered all summer. In our last year as campers my tent mates and I decided it may be fun to catch her in action with her favorite hobby. We signed up.

We rose hours before reveille, pulled on warm wool jackets and headed down the hill on a cold foggy morning in August. We met at the “wood chuck hole” (camping department) where we were given large heavy binoculars and a granola bar. Silently we trudged behind Judy up the rocky trail. I remember moss, ferns, trilliums, and an Indian pipe along the trail with beads of water clinging to it from the morning dew.

We climbed towards the bluff, a rocky pinnacle just above the tree line. The sound of birds was all around us. I think Judy knew them all.

Every 10 minutes we would stop and scan the woods hoping for a streak of red. Other bright colors and bird types were seen but it was the elusive Scarlett Tanager which was our quarry. Our line of sight got better as the fog burned off the lake. We sat and waited very quietly.

“Look!” Judy whispered. “ Hurry look! Over there!” she pointed. There was the bright red Scarlett Tanger perched on an errant branch. We debated later if it was the Tanager or Judy’s quick smile that was the more astonishing thing to see.

Bird watching is the biggest recreational activity in the United States. One third of the US population pour billions of dollars into the economy buying products for birdwatching. Bird food, feeders, binoculars, tutorials, classes, national and international tours are just a few of the past times for which we bird lovers go out on a limb. We know that we help the birds by feeding them. The great news is that it’s a two way street. Birds help our plants and gardens. Think of birds as little gardeners in the ecosystem.

Here’s how they help.

1. Seed dispersal

Many birds eat food and fly away, spreading seeds in their droppings. You have probably noticed crazy spots where a plant you didn’t plant turns up. Seed dispersal helps in creating an important ‘biodiversity’ in our own back yard. Some of the biggest seed dispersers are robins, jays, and thrushes as seen in the picture below.

2. Pollination

Some birds, especially hummingbirds, help pollinate flowers as they stick their long beaks down a flower’s ‘throat’ or petal. As a bird moves from flower to flower it transfers pollen.

3. Pest Control

Birds eat insects, worms and larvae that might otherwise damage plants. They serve as an organic pesticide protecting plant leaves, stems and roots.

4. Soil health

‘Guano’ or bird droppings are rich in phosphorus and nitrogen. These are excellent natural fertilizers for plant growth and rich soil.

5. Plants respond to sound

Plants can sense vibrations and sound waves. Certain bird call frequencies help stimulate seed germination, growth and sometimes a resistance to pests.

6. The power of the birdsong

Birdsongs have a rhythmic, natural sounds. If the song falls within a certain frequency it may stimulate nutrients to move through the plant.

7. Birdsongs and biodiversity

Birds singing indicate a healthy biodiverse environment. Birdsong also indirectly helps plants thrive with better pollination and less stress. That makes sense since many humans feel more relaxed when hearing bird melodies, unless it’s early in the morning!

My birdwatching days now consist of golf carts rides to the river bottom, or sitting on my back terrace listening, looking and checking my bird app on my phone. I have 10 bird feeders not including the suet and hummingbird feeders that I alternate between warm and cold weather. (My husband said once, “Are we buying stock in bird food?”)

I always thought it was important to feed the birds until the owner of a bird shop said, ”Christie, you don’t put up feeders to feed the birds because they are hungry. You put up feeders to see the birds!” and to help my plants grow, I now know!

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as private and professional gardener .