Tag: Bird Seed

Bird feeding is a great way to attract birds to a garden, park or wildlife site and a great many of us do it, whether through garden feeders or by broadcasting seed for pigeons and waterfowl. Depending on where seed is sourced, and the treatment it has been subjected to, seed mixes can result in a whole manner of unusual and in some cases exotic plants appearing in urban habitats.

In 1985, a study by Hanson and Mason, published in Watsonia, found that 30 species of plants regularly appear as bird seed aliens. This has only increased in more recent years as botanists across the UK report a growing number of plants springing up from scattered seed. You can find a few interesting titbits on these species here and here.

While recording for the upcoming ‘Urban Flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside’, I have noticed my fair share of these interesting aliens, most prominently around urban lakes where passers-by are known to feed ducks and geese. Inspired, I thought I would highlight some of these here.

Surprise Finds

We’ll start with a trip to Leazes Park in Newcastle City Centre this weekend past. Leazes is a very popular, high footfall site sporting a rather large lake and a local cafe known to supply seed packets for visitors to feed to local waterfowl. It is no surprise then that it has proven itself a most interesting place to hunt for bird seed aliens.

Combing the lake shore, two more surprising finds came in the form of Hemp (Cannabis sativa) and Chia (Salivia hispanica). Hemp is indigenous to Eastern Asia but has spread around the the world as a cultivated cash crop. Browsing the net, it does, however, occur quite commonly as a contaminant even if this is the first time I have found it in a wild state. Chia is much more interesting, at least in a local context, as this record marked its first known occurrence in South Northumberland (VC67).

Growing alongside these unexpected finds was a suite of more familiar “bird seed aliens.” Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a widespread casual species in the city, recorded in about 20 grid squares so far. Niger (Guizotia abyssinica), another frequent sight, often appears wherever bird seed is offered.

Common Amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) and Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) are much scarcer but have now appeared in Leazes Park for three consecutive years, likely due to ongoing reintroduction. Ragweed, also known as “Hay Fever Weed” in many parts of the world, is particularly unwelcome in certain areas due to its allergy-inducing pollen.

Speaking of Leazes Park, it has been interesting to note the fluctuations in populations of certain bird seed aliens. In past years, Thorn-apple (Datura stramonium) has been observed arising from seed and more interestingly, the archaeophyte Vervain (Verbena officinalis) was recently found by botanist, Philip Griffiths. While not conclusive, it seems likely that the latter also occurs as a contaminant of seed mixes.

These are just a few of the flowering plants observed recently and thought to stem from bird seed. Others I have observed across Newcastle include Common Fiddleneck (Amsinckia micrantha) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) growing around the green at Eldon Square Shopping Centre, presumably born of food spread for pigeons. There must be more out there…

Grasses

Alien grasses are an interesting bunch and many are thought to stem from birdseed. Some of the more frequent are those which make up the bulk of the seed mixes purchased including Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Two-row Barley (Hordeum distichon), Six-row Barley (Hordeum vulgare) and Oat (Avena sativa). All are a familiar sight in pavements near gardens where birds are fed. Millet (Panicum miliaceum) is less common, but likewise appears wherever birds are fed with regularity.

Just occasionally, more interesting alien grasses can be found also. Of these, two of the most prominent are Cockspur (Echinochloa crus-galli), photographed here below by Pru Hamed, and Canary-grass (Phalaris canariensis). The former species appears to be increasing annually as a weed of gutters, wall bases and lake shores, while the second remains a casual plant of disturbed ground close to habitation.

Another interesting grass is Annual Beard-grass (Polypogon monspeliensis). Despite very few local records, this attractive little grass is showing signs of expansion in select neighbourhoods across Newcastle, usually in paved areas close to habitation. Unlike those above, it is self-perpetuating once established and has returned on my street in Heaton now for several years.

A final species worthy of mention is Rye Brome (Bromus secalinus). Now, this species occurs scantly as a crop weed in the Newcastle area but recently, I have found it twice in less typical habitat close to gardens. It doesn’t seem to be widely reported as a bird seed alien but must surely occur in this way.