Spring does not arrive prematurely here at Christmas Central. Nevertheless, we’ve begun noticing an increasing variety of morning bird songs.
If you get as thrilled as we do at the sighting of the first robin (or whichever migratory bird signifies spring in your region), then you might be an avid bird observer.
Additional indicators of being a bird enthusiast: You can recognize at least 10 different birds by their sounds. You are aware of the distinction between a sparrow and a goldfinch. You wish to make your garden welcoming to birds.
Although bird watching can be as effortless as gazing out your nearest window, there are strategies to enhance the chances that birds will frequently visit your outdoor area. Similar to houseguests, birds are drawn by three essentials: nourishment, hydration, and a cozy resting spot.
Let’s delve into how you can provide these necessities, along with ways to shape the natural environment to support your avian friends.
Bird Feeders
You could scatter bird seeds directly on the ground, and the birds would be content. However, that’s not the ideal option for the birds or your yard.
Seeds lying on moist ground may decay, and spoiled seeds can cause illness in birds. Additionally, the seeds could sprout, leading to unwanted weeds in your pristine lawns and gardens. Bird seeds can also attract pesky wildlife, some of which can ruin your costly landscaping. These creatures include mice, rats, squirrels, skunks, deer, and bears.
Using a bird feeder is a superior way to offer birds a free meal. Wild bird seed is available at many grocery stores, farm and feed stores, pet stores, home improvement stores, garden centers, and, naturally, online. Your neighborhood may also have a wild bird specialty shop.
The bird seed section will typically have several seed varieties. While some birds are not very fussy, others are more likely to visit if you offer their preferred foods. For detailed information, you should research the most attractive food for your target bird species. Sunflower seeds attract many different birds, but some songbirds might respond better to thistle. For example, Baltimore Orioles are fond of halved orange slices or grape jelly bowls.
Additionally, you can find feeders specifically for suet or mealworms to attract woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds.
Certain bird feeders, such as hummingbird feeders, are made to dispense a specific type of bird food. Hummingbirds consume nectar, so a feeder filled with sugar water or hummingbird nectar is ideal for luring these tiny birds.
The Audubon Society offers excellent guidelines on different bird feeder types and where to place them in your yard for the best results.
Before buying and setting up a bird feeder, confirm that your municipality permits backyard feeders. Some towns have restrictions on feeding wild birds to prevent the spreading of avian diseases or to avoid drawing rodents.
On a scorching summer day, a bird bath can be a magnet for the neighborhood’s feathered companions. Birds appreciate a refreshing drink and a brisk dip!
Besides quenching their thirst, water helps birds stay cool and clean. You’ll often observe birds preening themselves post-bath to dislodge dust, bugs, and loose feathers.
Various bird baths can be installed in your garden. Whichever type you choose, thoughtfully consider its location for both the birds’ safety and your convenience. You’ll want to position it somewhere safe and accessible for regular refilling and cleaning.
Pedestals
A pedestal bird bath usually consists of two parts: a shallow basin and an elevated stand raising the basin two to three feet off the ground. This two-piece design makes it easier to clean the basin between refills.
Be sure to select the appropriate material for your pedestal bird bath. Heavier constructions made from ceramic or stone are less prone to being knocked over by strong winds or thirsty squirrels than plastic versions.
Bowls
Hanging with chains or sitting on the ground, bird bath bowls can be placed in locations where a pedestal bath would be impractical, such as a deck or upper-floor balcony. Certain bowls can also be attached to a deck rail instead of being hung.
Given that hanging bowls are generally small and lightweight, they are best for smaller birds. Larger, heavier birds that perch for a sip may end up tipping over the water altogether. However, if your yard space is limited and you want to observe birds up close, a bowl suspended from the porch or a garden pole is a great option.
Bowls placed on the ground allow birds to hop in and out freely. These bowls are easy to relocate and store. A ground-placed bowl in a flower or rock garden will attractboth tiny and large birds, as well as butterflies and other pollinators.
Fountains
A fountain is akin to a water playground for birds! They are lured by the splashing sounds and will stay to frolic. The ideal garden fountains for birds are shallow with a ledge where they can perch between splashes.
Flowing water not only entices birds but also deters bugs. Mosquitoes are less inclined to lay eggs in moving water. Additionally, the basin in a fountain with recirculated water might not require frequent cleaning.
Birds might not need a house to sleep, but they find value in a secure place for their chicks to hatch and mature. For bird enthusiasts, a birdhouse can be a captivating addition. Initially, there’s the thrill of watching a new occupant settle in and “decorate” their living space with bits and pieces. Following that is the anticipation as the mother bird guards her nest, leading to the joy of witnessing the parent birds busily feeding their hungry young ones.
You may want to do some investigation before purchasing a birdhouse, as the resident type will be influenced by the entrance size. The product details usually provide hints about the birds likely to move in.
Many birdhouses are more ornamental than functional. To attract birds to your birdhouse, ensure it is intended for outdoor use and can endure various weather conditions.
Moreover, birdhouses should be cleaned out at season’s end. Opting for a birdhouse that opens for easy maintenance can simplify this task.
As a bird enthusiast, you might wish to place your bird feeder, bird bath, or birdhouse as near to your window or porch as possible for optimal viewing. However, what is convenient for you may not always be ideal for them.
Position bird baths and birdhouses in shaded areas, especially during the hottest hours of the day. Shade helps keep the water cooler, reducing algae growth.
Regarding birdhouses, picture how scorching that small shelter could get if exposed to direct sunlight on a hot summer day. You wouldn’t want the babies inside to suffer unnecessarily, would you?
Traditional bird feeders can be placed in either sun or shade. However, hummingbird feeders fare better in the shade, where the sugar solution won’t spoil as quickly.
Birds are easily startled. Position your feeder far enough from your house so that birds won’t crash into your windows when fleeing. Alternatively, placing window feeders three feet or closer to a window ensures birds won’t collide with the glass at high speeds.
Place feeders nearby natural areas where birds can take refuge, yet distant enough that predators – including outdoor cats – can’t pounce on them from above. Hanging your feeder on a metal pole about 10 feet away from trees and shrubs is a good strategy. Squirrel baffles add extra security against both predators and seed stealers.
Reflect on the type of natural cover the birds you wish to attract might favor. Small birds are comfortable in brush, grasses, and shrubs, while larger birds may prefer coniferous or deciduous trees.
It’s beneficial to offer birds naturally available food options year-round, in addition to bird seed. Planting berry bushes and flowers that produce seeds favored by birds can be a great idea. Crabapple and dogwood trees yield fruit that appeal to birds, and the insects visiting larger trees will attract insectivorous birds.
Cultivating a more bird-friendly habitat means adding more vegetation and reducing lawn area. Thus, feel free to expand your garden and decrease your mowing time! Employ native plants whenever possible and eliminate invasive species, suggests the National Wildlife Federation.
Bird feeders, bird baths, and birdhouses are all wonderful ways to entice various avian visitors to your garden.
Moreover, a varied landscape featuring an assortment of food sources complements your efforts to draw a diverse array of birds, enhancing your birdwatching experience.
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