Organizers hope the bird sanctuary planned for McGolrick Park will provide a resting, feeding, mating, and nesting place for nearly 100 species of migratory birds. In choosing the plants for the sanctuary, New York City Audubon stuck to those that thrive in sandy, shaded soil. A handful of the plants will be ornamental, but most will be integral parts of a complex ecosystem.
The flora coming in includes:
New England aster
The perennial flower attracts bees and butterflies.
Goldenrod
Also in the aster family, a Bushwick beer was once named for this native blossom. It supports insect populations and is an important nectar source for butterflies.
Common milkweed
The sappy herb is a host plant for Monarch butterflies.
Serviceberry
A flowering shrub that provides shelter for birds and blueberry-like fruits for them to eat.
Lowbush blueberry
This small tree makes more food for our feathered friends.
The feather-centric folks at New York City Audubon have a specific set of birds they hope to attract with the new foliage. Here is a rundown of some of those select species:
Cedar waxwings
Cedar waxwing
Associated Press
Hermit thrushes
Wood thrushes
American robin
Blue jays
Baltimore orioles
Gray catbirds
Northern cardinals
White-throated sparrows
Ovenbirds
Red-bellied woodpeckers
Black-throated blue warblers
Yellow warblers
Canada warblers
Blackpoll warblers
