The compost pile now has the ability to draw in not only composting tourists from North America, but possibly also some of North America's endangered birds! Some of these composting tourists (i.e., birds) are the Wood Thrush and Hermit Thrush. Increasingly more people who enjoy bird watching are learning that some particular, and rather unusual, methods for composting can turn their backyard into a hotspot for these thrushes.
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The thrushes’ natural habitat is the decaying process of the forest floor. I believe the trick is what I call a “woodland edge” in your compost design. This is a zone of specific multilayered design that mimics the foraging habitat of these birds.
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Mixing in layers is just as important as knowing what to compost. Think of each layer as a woodland café with menu items geared to different discerning diners.
The Best Thrushes Can' Resist
Thrushes are birds that eat insects. These birds love areas with decaying organic matter. When you keep moisture in your compost pile and add lots of leaves, the magic happens. This creates excellent living conditions for the insects that these birds love to eat.
The best results were obtained using a blend of materials of approximately 70% of the brown materials (leaves, straw, small twigs) vs. 30% of the green materials (kitchen scraps and fresh yard waste). This blend breaks down quickly and efficiently because it starts a great ecosystem for thrushes by attracting the insects they love.
How To Make The Best Living Environment For Thrushes
If you want to attract these shy birds, pay attention to how you build and where you place your compost. I've seen success rates for drawing thrush visitors go up for compost piles on the edge of the property and near the woods.
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Gather small mounds of leaves and woody debris from forested areas and bring them to the compost pile. This creates branching runway lights from the forested areas to your compost buffet for the thrushes. These naturally cautious birds appreciate the presence of escape routes.
The Moisture Balance aspect of success
A lot of composters do not seem to notice that thrushes are attracted to areas that are moist and balanced. If an area is too wet, beneficial insects will not appear. If an area is too dry, decomposition will happen at an extremely slow rate.
I keep my pile's moisture around the level of a wrung out sponge. This is the right moisture level for the thrushes' loved insects as well as for the active decomposition process.
Beyond Basic Composting
If you want to really attract thrushes to your compost pile, you could try adding:
- Create small brush piles nearby for protective cover
- Keep a water source within 10-15 feet of the pile.
- Add partially decomposed logs to the base of your pile
- Keep cats and other predators away from the area
The actual secret is patience! Mysterious birds take time to notice a setup and then trust it. Once they trust a setup, they will keep returning for many years, especially during migration periods.
Creating a compost pile allows you to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Thrushes visiting your yard means you've been able to create a small area of their habitat.
Remember that the first thrush may appear at your compost pile in a few weeks or even a few months. Nevertheless, it is gratifying to see the most selective feeders in nature find a banquet made from your food and garden waste.
