Installation Starts!
Over the last few weeks, Bird City Gardens has been a hive of activity, preparing for the birth of the Mulberry Ravine Bird Station.
The visitors to Bird City Gardens seem to be just as excited as we are. Over the past month, we've spotted Sandhill Cranes, Starlings, Carolina Wrens, spectacular Northern Flickers, and Palm Warblers. The Robins are everywhere. Little House Wrens are checking out my neighbor's birdhouse. A Chickadee checked into our new birdhouse. And even the Blue Jays are competing for space.
Every detail has been meticulously planned to attract and nurture our avian friends, from the landscape drawing to the ground prep to the plant and tree selections.
Rototilling, Cardboard Layers, Mulch
As you can imagine, an undeveloped 5000-square-foot lot in Stillwater along the ravine was overgrown with weeds like creeping charlie, burdock, and garlic mustard. The easiest way to remove them was to smother them. Last fall we started layering cardboard sheets and flattened boxes, obtained from local stores and dumpsters. The sheets were slightly overlapping and secured with landscape pins. Cardboard, as you can imagine, robs the weeds of light plus decomposes over time, adding nutrients to the soil.
Then everything was covered with 3 inches of cedar mulch.
Next week, we'll be doing it again on the other half of the lot.
Double Deer Fence
Stillwater has the mixed blessing of deer all year round. Although they are adorable, we don't want them to chomp our newly planted habitat. So before plants go in the ground, a double deer fence standing 4 feet high and spaced 4 feet apart, will be installed. Most people are surprised to hear that a deer would be deterred by a double 4' fence. Well, they are, apparently. Deer are intelligent creatures with amazing leaping abilities, but they don't have very good depth perception. So a double fence makes them fear they'll get stuck in the middle. That's the theory we're banking on, since 7' high single fencing is against local ordinances!
Plants Arrive Soon
The beauty of the design for Mulberry Ravine Bird Station is the array of plants and trees that Washington Conservation District architect Brett Stolpestad has worked into his plan.
Various berry-producing plants, like serviceberry and pagoda dogwood trees, attract many bird species. Native plants like wildflowers, milkweed, and grasses are home to various beneficial insects, some of which are pollinators and others are food for birds.
Some plants have been sourced from the Washington Conservation District's annual tree sale, which we’ll pick up on April 25th at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Buying from experienced growers not only supports our local initiative but also ensures that the best, most suitable plants find their way to our new bird station—no pesticides nor herbicides—and soil that's free of the new scourge of jumping worms.
Public-Private Partnership
Our trusted landscape installer, Jen Merth from Wild Revival in St. Paul, is a seasoned professional. Her knowledge and experience will be instrumental in guiding the planting process. In early May, she'll meet with Brett and Andrew Coyne, Stillwater's arborists, to go over the plan before installation begins.
Open to Volunteers in 2025, Open to Public in 2026
Volunteers will nurture the Mulberry Ravine Bird Station for a year before its official opening to the public in 2026. We have some exciting news if you're as passionate about birds as we are and would love to contribute. We'll be calling for volunteers in May. Be it planting, taking care of the plants, or just being around to enjoy the beauty of nature, we'd love to have you onboard for help.
If you want to be a part of the Mulberry Ravine Bird Station project, here's how you can contribute:
* Assist in maintaining the sanctuary with watering the plants and weeding.
* Capture and share the beauty. If you have a knack for photography and writing or enjoy bird-watching, your unique perspective can help others appreciate our native plants and avian friends. You may want to be a tour guide in 2026!
Bird City Gardens' mission has always been about more than just creating a bird sanctuary. It's about bringing the community together, sharing our love for nature, and learning from each other. We invite you to join us on this beautiful journey.
The Birds are Arriving
As we work towards creating the Mulberry Ravine Bird Station, the winged residents of Bird City Gardens are making their presence felt. Over the past month, we've spotted various avian species, from the graceful Sandhill Cranes to the chirpy Carolina Wrens. The Starlings are here, too, their glossy plumage a sight to behold. The big and round American Robins, affectionately called "borbs," are a common sight.
But it's not all peace and harmony. The blue jays, usually furtive at our peanut tray, now engage in mini-battles, competing for territory. It's nature's way of reminding us that survival isn't just about co-existence; it's about claiming that perfect mate or nest spot before the competition does.
As we observe these fascinating behaviors and interactions, we're reminded of why we embarked on this journey. The birds aren't just visitors at Bird City Gardens; they're an integral part of this community.
Northern Flicker
Photo by Stillwater our friend and photographer Carl Wegener
