I've always loved the idea of letting part of the yard grow free, but 
over the years--especially since learning about invasive exotic 
plants like the grape-like porcelainberry--I've realized that even 
letting your yard "go wild" involves lots of weeding. Those 
mockingbirds, robins, catbirds and other berry-eaters spread both 
native (dogwood, pokeweed, sassafras, etc.) seeds and those of 
invasive exotics (porcelainberry and the like). The invasive 
non-natives can smother native plants valued by wildlife,  from 
spicebush to jewelweed to huge hardwoods. Native plant sales like 
those mentioned in the previous message provide a great way to stack 
the odds in favor of native plants, so your native birds feast on 
native foods and help spread the "right" seeds.

I've waged an endless battle with tree-of-heaven (ailanthus), 
porcelainberry, English ivy, and others in our small yard. As a 
result, our sassafras, Virginia creeper, and recently planted 
vibernums, spicebush, and others are flourishing. But if I left them 
alone even one growing season.... (Porcelainberry can, in a good 
year, grow 15 feet....)

  Our pokeweed, by the way, has drawn robins, catbirds, mockingbirds, 
and a red-eyed vireo over the past few days.

Howard Youth
Bethesda, MD