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[A769]Attract Birds To Your Garden

by R Birch, R B

Traditional gardens are sometimes completely shut off from the natural environment and are often inhospitable to birds and other wildlife. Gardens are part of the larger landscape so becoming familiar with local ecosystems and native plant species enables you to plan your garden. Planting a few well chosen shrubs or trees can turn your garden into a sanctuary for all kinds of birds. Native plants are especially effective since there found in a bird's natural habitat.

Providing food and water is sometimes enough to attract birds to your garden. However, if you want the birds to stick around you'll need to carefully plan your garden. In order for birds to frequently visit your garden it must provide, along with food and water, shelter and nesting areas. Providing for more than one bird species is also important. Include in your garden plan a variety of seed and berry producing trees and shrubs, such as Washington hawthorn, mountain ash, cherry and dogwood. Flowers such as hollyhock, nasturtium, and sunflowers produce seeds which also attract birds.

Remember to provide food year-round. In the spring there are many berry producing shrubs which are great for the garden and provide food for birds, such as blueberries and raspberries. In the summer, seeds of perennial flowers provide food and in the fall trees such as dogwood and shadblow produce fruit which birds love. Birds which over winter in your area will need sustenance provided by winterberry or other fruit bearing shrubs.

For birds to find your garden welcoming it should also provide water. If your garden lacks a natural source of water create pool or fill a birdbath. Any water source instantly attracts birds, even wild ducks and gooses. Keep the water fresh by filling it daily. In the winter when the water freezes knock out the ice and replace with fresh water.

Different birds prefer different conditions in which to eat and live. Robins eat at ground level where they search for insects and worms while many other birds prefer to be off the ground a bit in the flowers. Some birds prefer the height of shrubs and others still like to be in the canopy of taller trees. Plants not only provide food for birds they also supply them with shelter. Evergreens and other dense shrubs provide nesting areas. They also provide protection from the cold in winter and a respite from the summer sun.

Along with providing all the things which attract birds to your garden you should also be aware of all the things that might keep birds away. Some birds may stay away because the noise is too loud or because there chased by pets. Others might avoid your garden if it doesn't seem quite natural enough.

Creating a garden which attracts birds is great for the environment. It provides a habitat for birds as well as beneficial insects and other wildlife. While birds will thrive and will benefit the most from your efforts you're also providing years of enjoyment for both yourself and visitors to your garden.

Some wild birds, including thrushes and chaffinches are more likely to search beneath bird tables for food. If your garden borders on woods you may have woodpeckers, marsh tits, coal tits and nuthatches visiting your bird feeders. Wild birds belonging to the thrush species such as fieldfares, mistle thrushes, song thrushes and redwings love fruits and berries so add these to your bird table to attract them.

Some wild birds, such as treecreepers and wrens are insect feeders so will not be interested in the foods you provide on your bird table or feeder. To attract these birds let an area of your garden grow wild with native plants and flowers. These will then attract the insects that are insect eating birds food.

Attracting Finches To Your Garden

Many people love to see finches in their gardens and it is easy to attract these lovely birds if you provide their favorite food. Finches love thistle seeds which are best placed in a specialised thistle feeder. The seeds are tiny and thistle feeders enclose the seeds in a mesh which finches, with their long beaks, can easily reach through.

These types of feeder also prevent the tiny seeds from dropping to the ground which would be a problem if you placed thistle seeds in a conventional feeder designed for larger seeds. Seeds spilled ion the ground will also attract predators such as squirrels. Commercially prepared thistle seeds have been treated to prevent germination. You could also put out some sunflower or millet seeds on your bird table as finches also enjoy these.

Provide Fresh Water for The Birds

You can also attract wild birds by giving them a source of fresh water or bathing and drinking. This can be as simple as a shallow pan of water on the ground but make sure you replace it regularly. A bird bath is an attractive alternative and if you incorporate a dripper or other means to agitate the water the sound will attract the birds. This is particularly valuable in the winter months when water can be a problem for the birds.

If you place a small heater or agitator in the bird bath to keep it ice free the birds will have a source of fresh water all year round. Place the bird bath in a quiet area of the garden away from your bird feeders as wild birds need quiet when they bath. They also prefer a place underneath branches or other perches for a quick escape route from any lurking cats or other predators.

Feeding Wild Birds in Throughout the Year

Wild birds require different nutrients depending on the season. In the winter feeding is especially helpful as natural food sources may be scarce. They need high energy foods during this time with high fat content. Feed them twice a day and remove any uneaten food regularly.

In the spring and summer they will need high protein foods such as raisins, seeds, mealworms, sunflower seeds etc. You can also buy specially prepared summer mixes for insect eating wild birds. Fruit can also be put out for the fruit loving birds. They will enjoy chopped up apples and pears, grapes and bananas.

During the summer do not put out fat, bread or peanuts as they can be taken back to the nest and harm the baby birds. Home made fat balls are also a bad idea in the hotter months as they will become rancid very quickly.

Article Source : Pg. 90

About Author

Both R Birch & Janet Bugby are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

R Birch has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Container Gardening and Gardening. Tim Birch is the publisher of , a