GoGardenNews - Items of gardening and ecological interest — birding

Time.com recently published a helpful article pointing out that "birdwatching—or even simply listening—can lead to an array of mental-health benefits in humans, including long-lasting stress relief."

Heavenly Bamboo - aka Nandina - was once considered to be a stellar selection for landscapes. Evergreen foliage, long-lasting red berries and exotic appearance made it very popular.

However, it has made its way uninvited into woodlands, displacing native plants, and the berries can poison birds.

In an undated article from MyMcClallumCounty.com, "Your backyard bird bath or feeder may be inadvertently sickening songbirds. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says there have been surging reports of sick or dead birds at backyard feeders in parts of western Washington."

Birds have their favorite foods, just like you and me. Finches, cardinals and jays, for example, love seeds. Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea - is one of their favorites. So be sure to include some in your perennial garden!

How would you like to join others in an organized bird count without leaving home? Yes, you can!

Each year during the month of February, the National Audubon Society conducts The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The event lasts four days. It’s fun, easy, and it shouldn’t cost you dime.