Attracting
Birds to your Neighborhood
There are a number of
ways to attract birds to your garden, from planting native plants to providing
safe stopover areas for them to eat, drink and nest.
Provide
water year-round - A simple birdbath is a great start. Change water every 2-3 days in
summer and use a heater in the winter. Place the water container about 10 feet
from dense shrubs or other cover that predators may use.
Then, install Natives
Plants-- Select a variety of native plants to offer year-round food in the form
of seeds, berries, nuts, and nectar. Try to recreate the plant ecosystem native
to your area. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide excellent cover through all
seasons, check our www.grownative.org for an amazing lists of local
natives great for pollination and food sources.
Eliminate
insecticides in your yard - Insects are the primary source of food for many bird
species and are an important source of protein and fats for growing juvenile
birds.
Keep
dead trees -
Dead trees provide cavity-dwelling places for birds to raise young and as a
source to collect insects for food. Many species will also seek shelter from
bad weather inside these hollowed out trees.
Put out
nesting boxes - Make sure the boxes have ventilation holes at the top and
drainage holes below. Do not use a box with a perch, as house sparrows are
known to sit on a nesting box perch and peck at other birds using the nesting
box. Be sure to monitor the boxes for invasive animal species known to harm or
out-compete native species.
Build a
brush pile in a corner of your yard - Start with larger logs and top
with smaller branches. Some birds will hunt, roost or even nest in brush piles.
Put out
bird feeders--Bird feeders are great sources of supplemental food during times
of food scarcity, and also enhance bird viewing opportunities. Wintertime is beneficial for this as the
natural source of pods and seeds become scarce.
Remove invasive plants from your wildlife habitat - Many invasive plants out-compete
the native species favored by birds, insects and other wildlife. Check with
your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension System office
for information on plant species to avoid.
I hope you enjoy these
tips for enjoying more wildlife in your yards!
Enjoy every minute!
Sandi Hillermann
McDonald
