http://www.care2.com/greenliving/birdscaping-your-garden.html
Birdscaping Your Backyard
posted by Annie B. Bond Jun 6, 2008 10:00 am
Adapted from Birdscaping Your Garden, by George Adams.
How do you turn your yard into an inviting sanctuary where birds will come to nest, raise their families and seek shelter for the winter?
The way to start is to look at your yard from a bird’s eye view. Find a vantage point where you can see the whole front yard or backyard at once (try the back steps or an upstairs window). Then ask yourself these questions. (Your answers will help you plan your birdscape.)
- Are there places for birds to hide? Songbirds need protective cover from potential enemies like cats, snakes and hawks.
- Are there places for birds to nest? Birds will be drawn to your yard during the breeding season if you have inviting places for them to next, such as trees, shrubs, hedges, brambles and even vines.
- Are there sheltered areas where birds can protect themselves from the elements? Evergreens, shrubs planted against walls and other sheltered areas will give birds a place out of the cold, wind and rain.
- Is there food and water? Bird feeders and birdbaths are great helps to overwintering birds (in fact, a heated birdbath is often critical to winter survival). But during the rest of the year, it’s important to provide natural food sources–flower nectar, grass seedheads, fruits, berries and a diversity of plants to attract insects, since many songbirds are insectivores. You can landscape for winter by choosing plants that keep their berries or seeds well into the coldest months. You’ll find that the extra color and texture these plants provide really perk up your landscape, too! A small pond, pool or puddle will attract thirsty birds and an interesting assortment of wildlife, including frogs, toads and dragonflies.
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40 comments
add your comment »I had a stroke in 2000 and my husband has created this beautiful area in our yard just for my sanctuary. We have numerous tress of all sizes and types where the birds have made their nests to raise their young and the bunny rabbits have made burrows under bushes and smaller trees for their family.
I am a "city gal" and having a "country dude" for a husband has exposed me to the wonders of nature. Sometimes this sanctuary is more beneficial than any traditional medicine available.
There is no more pretty sight than to see birds and other wild animals enjoy the sanctuary we have provided them with shelter, food and water.
More people need to provide this because mankind is destroying their natural habitat with all the development growth and we need to give the land back to nature.
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My mother and I have always kept an animal sanctuary in our yard no matter where we lived. We have so many animals that come aruond and its amazing...the birds are beautiful and right now we have baby goldfinch's just learning to fly so they are always chirping by the birdfeeder. Its just so beautiful to see so many different birds and animals
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Great info!!! Thank you for sharing this inspirational idea!!!
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so good to hear abou the different birds,bats, raccons etc in the usa.
here in new zealand we have wonderful bush,reserves,parks and almost everyone has a garden.we have planted a native tree area over seven years and the birds certainly loveit.we have the sparrow,green finch,bell bird,black bird thrush,hammer head,starlings etc.there is water available and we feed them titbits .no snakes,squirrels in nz,cats ferrets,oppossums,plenty more beautiful birds in the bush.
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I lug home bird seed--six 20-lb bags at a time. My son helped me plant and nurture two large trees within the past two years, that provide shade and safe harbor for our birds. The squirrels appreciate these amenities, too, and my cat loves to sit and watch these critters from the window.
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I was just going to say that Ratty! We have several bat houses. It's a great kid's project. I'd rather have bats than birds. BUT, I am getting ready to re-do my yard, so any tips are good by me. We have a few nice big trees and I'm putting in a pond. We have some nice song birds that seems quite happy to sing all morning. Maybe we'll get more.
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It's important to encourage birds to get food natural sources rather then the poor quality cheap foods that can be for sale in stores, so thanks for mentioning that.
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Bat houses are great too, a bat can eat something like a couple thousand mosquitoes in a night.
Plus, they aren't scary and don't get in your hair like some people think, they are fun to have around!
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Thanks for the great tips.
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Ihave seen my mother feeding birds with bajra grain &keeping a bowl of water in the morning daily since past 20 years.she is 90 now.
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