Attracting Birds to Your Yard

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

22 May 2008 07:01 AM

It doesn't take a ton of effort to attract feathered visitors to your yard or patio. All you need to offer is food, water, and shelter.

Providing food for your visiting birds doesn't have to mean a bird feeder and a constant supply of seed. Flowering and fruit-bearing plants provide sustenance, as do plants that attract insects. Bugs are a good source of protein!

When it comes to water, a traditional birdbath isn't necessary, but can be an attractive addition to your outdoor space. A shallow dish filled with water (like a large plant saucer or even a snow disc) can serve as a fine water source for visiting birds. Keep these things in mind:

• The water should be less than two inches deep so the birds can bathe comfortably.
• The water should be in a shady location if possible.
• Moving water is more appealing (and will stay cleaner) than still water.
• An elevated water source provides some protection from predators. Try placing your water source on a pedestal or stump, or even hang it from a tree limb so your birds will have a good view of anything approaching.

You don't have to run out and buy birdhouses, either. Birds will nest in most trees that provide protection from bad weather and predators like cats and birds of prey. Dense shrubs and evergreens are good choices for safe shelter for visiting birds.

If you'd like your visiting birds to stay a while, you also need to offer them a safe place to raise their young. This is where birdhouses are a good idea -- they offer both shelter and safe nesting sites. A few tips for selecting a birdhouse:

• Make sure the house is weather resistant.
• Make sure the house is well ventilated.
• Place the birdhouse with the door facing away from prevailing winds.
• Consider cleaning out the birdhouse after each nesting season. Some birds will build over an abandoned nest and some won't.

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Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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