NWF® The Backyard NaturalistTM

Snags, Escorts and Migration

My office window looks out over the parking lot of the NWF headquarters. Not a great vantage point for a naturalist?

The view is terrific. And we designed it that way. As you build your Backyard Wildlife Habitat, keep in mind how you might be viewing the wildlife outside from the comfort of your kitchen, work desk, conference room, living room or study.

NWF moved to its new headquarters site about 7 years ago. We decided to keep a small patch of woods at our entrance. It's become a beacon for migrants passing through and a watch tower for a variety of resident and nesting birds.

This morning, I watched as a young Northern Harrier passed through our landscape. A group of eight European starlings and a number of migrating blue jays took off from their vantage point on the snags and tree tops and escorted the possible predator off our property.

Without these tall trees and snags attracting a variety of birds and without the forethought of how these landscape elements might later help us enjoy the wildlife of our headquarters habitat, I might have looked out over parked vehicles and little else this morning.

Advice from The Backyard Naturalist

Attracting Wildlife is Easier Than You Might Think

Dear Friends,

On behalf of NWF, I welcome you to The Backyard Naturalist blog.

Many people love the idea of having their own backyard wildlife sanctuary -- full of birds, butterflies and other creatures. The good news is my organization, the National Wildlife Federation, has just the program for them. The NWF Backyard Wildlife Habitat program is based on four simple ideas. Animals need food, water, cover and a place to raise young. This seems a little intimidating to some people I talk to on my travels around the country but it is really fairly simple.

You can start with the basics; put out a bird feeder, plant a berry-producing shrub, set up a birdbath and place a bird house in appropriate habitat. You will be amazed at how these simple steps will result in birds and other wildlife creatures coming to your yard, patio or deck. To learn more about how to have your own certified backyard wildlife habitat visit the National Wildlife Federation's website