Throughout the history of this Blog, I have repeatedly suggested that the establishment of wild borders on one's property is a good way to attract a greater diversity of wildlife. After all, a variety of native plants is more appealing to regional birds, mammals and other creatures, offering seeds, berries, nuts and vegetation that they prefer to consume; of course, insects are also drawn to such natural oases, providing yet another source of food.
An excellent example of my theory has unfolded across the street from our home, where a neighbor's house has been redeveloped while its front lawn, destroyed by the building activity, has yet to be replaced. Now sporting a hodgepodge of native "weeds" and grasses, it has become a popular feeding ground for many local birds; white-tailed deer have also stopped by to munch on the broad mix of plants.
Though unsightly from a typical suburbanite's point of view, I have found this temporary refuge to be interesting. No doubt, its varied vegetation and "clearings" are of more interest to wildlife than the dense carpet of a manicured lawn.
See also: Lose Some Lawn
