Orchards, regardless of crop type, can be managed to maximize their benefits to birds.  The intent of this document is to provide orchard management recommendations that are beneficial to both birds and farmers.  Habitat loss and nest failure are two of the main contributing factors to bird population declines in our state.  By managing orchards with birds in mind farmers can play an important role in ensuring healthy bird populations for the future—keeping common birds common!

The breeding season is a critical time for songbirds as it is their only opportunity to reproduce.  As such, it is important to create a healthy environment for them to raise their young.  The breeding season of songbirds in California roughly begins mid March and ends late August.  There are many steps that can be taken to make this time a productive one for birds on your land.  Here we make suggestions for creating better habitat for songbirds on your land.

Preserve existing “on farm” native habitat      

¨ The best way to begin helping birds is by leaving and enhancing the native vegetation on and around your orchard.  This includes leaving dead trees and dead limbs for cavity nesting species such as bluebirds and particularly woodpeckers, as they are known to reduce populations of pest insects such as coddling moth.

Create bird habitat    

• Planting native shrubs among tree rows benefits birds by providing nest sites, cover and forage while at the same time attracting beneficial insect species and aiding in soil stabilization. 
• Plant hedgerows along orchard boundaries, levees, and irrigation ditches with native plant species.   Benefits include controlling noxious weeds, attracting beneficial insects, and providing nesting, dispersal, and foraging habitats for birds.  This may be a cost effective alternative to herbicide application.
• Connect these hedgerows to existing habitat on and around your farm.  Connected habitat patches are the most valuable to birds.
• Leave brush piles (after pruning) through winter as they provide excellent cover for the birds on your farm.

Help reduce predation and parasitism  

• A groundcover or cover crop planted in orchards will discourage foraging by Brown-headed cowbirds (a nest parasite known to lower the breeding productivity of songbirds) while providing food and cover for native bird species.  Benefits of cover crops to growers include non-synthetic nitrogen fixation, improved water infiltration, and winter sod that reduces soil erosion.  
•  If your orchard is adjacent to a riparian area, create a “soft” edge interface.  Soft edges are gradual edges where plant succession occurs or is mimicked.  Soft edges are created by planting native herbs and shrubs to create a structurally complex edge.  Predation levels are decreased at soft or complex edges.
• Keep cats indoors, especially during breeding season when vulnerable young birds are just out of the nest.  Bells on the collar are not enough. Reduce feral cat populations.  For more information see the Cats Indoors Program! at www.abcbirds.org/cats/catsindoors.htm
• Eliminate sources of food, such as garbage or outdoor pet food dishes, that attract raccoons, opossums, jays, stray cats, etc.

Learn the birds on your land                               

• Get to know the birds in and around your orchard. 
•  Create a species list of all the birds encountered and note at what time of the year they occur there, which are breeding, etc.

Reduce disturbance                                

REMEMBER: Birds nest everywhere, from ground level to the tops of trees.

• Mowing, spraying, and other planned disturbance events should be timed to minimize impacts during this crucial breeding period. 
• Postpone mowing until after breeding season.  If mowing must be done during breeding season, do not allow herb / grass layer to grow thick and tall enough to attract nesting birds (approximately 6 inches).  Six inches is also enough to discourage cowbirds. 
• Use Integrated Pest Management and / or reduce insecticide applications in order to maintain non-pest insect populations as forage for birds.

Resources                                  

The Yolo County Resource District’s excellent publication-Bring Farm Edges Back to Life!,

California Partners in Flight and the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture’s Riparian Bird Conservation Plan

Your local Resource Conservation District (RCD)

California Native Plant Society