I want to attract birds to my garden

I have often been asked how people can entice wildlife into their garden. You don't have to be an avid bird watcher to enjoy the beauties that different kinds of bird can bring throughout the changing seasons.

Establishing a small wildlife sanctuary in your backyard will reward you by attracting a variety of birds and butterflies for you to enjoy viewing. Many will visit, and some may actually stay to nest and rear their young in your backyard.

You will want to create a yard or garden that will attract birds and butterflies and make them feel at home.
If birds and butterflies pass through your yard, but never seem to stay, it may be because your yard doesn't provide a varied, long-term food supply. Birds that stay over winter in your garden need to find food 365 days of the year. Small birds eat almost constantly during daylight hours in the winter. Migratory songbirds need large amounts of food for varying amounts of time, often just a day or two. Its easier to keep a large storage of food in the house and top up the bird feeder whenever necessary so that they never go hungry. Especially in times when conditions are harsh and food on the ground is sparse. Many excellent birdseed mixtures are available at garden centers, nurseries, and bird-feeding specialty shops. The style of feeding station will also encourage some and discourage some birds. Different elevations, environments, and openings are preferred by different species. You will attract the most birds by offering a variety of feeding spots, and types of feeders. Squirrel proof bird feeders are particularly nice, because they help save the bulk of the bird feed for the birds.

Another idea might be to provide the birds with somewhere to rest whilst they pass through. A great way to do this is with a bird bath or bird box. Often this will ensure the birds stop by long enough for you to enjoy them for a little while before they head on back to their nest.

To create a landscape that provides birds with a guaranteed, year-round food supply, you need to plant an assortment of plant species that provides seeds, berries, nuts, or other food throughout the year. Planting a diverse selection helps ensure that a variety of food sources is always available. Choose different plantings that produce food throughout each of the four seasons.

Avoid the use of pesticides in your yard. Many insecticides remove all insects, which serve as the prey base for insectivorous birds. A poisoned insect will in turn poison the bird. Using plants native to your region reduces the need for pesticide use since the native plants are resistant to local pests and diseases.

Leave hedges unclipped, or prune them naturally by selective branch removal rather than shearing. Restrict pruning to late winter, after any loose fruit has been eaten and before birds begin nesting in early spring. When you are devising a long-term water source for your garden, plan for the type of water feature that birds adopt most quickly: a shallow, rough-bottomed pool of still water. Birds are wary of water that is more than 2"-3" deep. Add a few stones that emerge from the water for smaller birds, and butterflies, to land on. Most songbirds can't swim, so they seek shallow water with sure footing. Most birds prefer water in a spot in a clearing, so position it in a sunny spot, away from trees and shrubs. That way, bathing birds can keep an eye out for predators and will have time to fly for cover.

How you decide to provide water for birds will depend on the time and money you wish to spend, and what you find appropriate and beautiful for your yard. The sound of gently moving water is extremely attractive to birds. Audible water in the garden can be provided by a simple dripping hose or by a sophisticated water fall. Remember that a little water music goes a long way. A thunderous waterfall or a huge, erupting fountain will frighten more birds than it attracts. Small drips, tinkles, and bubbles are what birds like.

Most importantly, dont forget your camera. The opportunity to keep memories of some of the most beautiful birds on our planet too good to miss.