Most people enjoy watching birds because they are part of our natural world and give us a certain sense of peace and a connection with wildlife. Whether you notice the birds in soldier stance on the power lines as you drive, or you are able to appreciate these feathered beauties in your yard at home, bird watching can be one of the most enjoyable and relaxing activities offered by nature. However, if you’re one of many people that feel birds don’t frequent your neighborhood, much less your yard, there’s a lot you can do to attract birds and encourage their routine visits.
If you wanted to go to the beach, you wouldn’t go to the mountains and expect to be at the beach. The same is true with birds to a certain degree. If you want to attract birds, you have to make an enticing environment for them. In fact, there are five simple ways that you can attract birds to your yard.
5 Simple Ways to Attract Birds
One way to attract birds to your yard is to plant a variety of plants. Birds love plants of varying heights, foliage and growth as it offers them a natural habitat. When selecting plants, be sure to include an assortment such as annuals, perennials, shrubs, vines and trees to create a paradise for the birds that they will want to return to.
Attract birds to your yard: give them something they like. When selecting plants to add to your yard, be sure to choose those that rank high with birds. For example, hummingbirds love tea rose nectar, and they love the nectar of zinnias as well. Goldfinches like zinnias because of their tasty seeds. Oak trees attract a variety of birds because they offer acorns for food and the shelter of their branches. Dense shrubs are also a great place for providing shelter and will attract birds of many different varieties. The key is providing many different options. The more available options you have for food, shelter and nesting, the more birds you will attract. Sometimes it may serve you well to try to think like a bird when deciding what to plant.
When you plant a garden, you don’t plant one bean seed, one corn seed, etc, you plant lots of seeds. The same holds true when planting flowers and shrubs to attract birds to your yard. Not only is it good gardening sense to plant flowers and shrubs in groups, flowers planted in masses act like magnets attracting birds and butterflies.
Meticulous yards may, or may not be a haven for birds. It depends on what you have to offer them. Sometimes messy is better in attracting birds. Even after the blooms are gone, the remaining foliage, stalks and stems are an abundant source of food for many birds throughout the winter. This is often a food haven for many different types of birds at a time when food can be scarce. In addition to the birds feeding frenzy and high activity, they always manage to add to the beds by dropping seeds of their own for you to enjoy when new growth begins in spring. Not only is leaving the foliage good for the birds, it provides nourishment for the plants as well.
One of the best ways to attract birds to your yard is to avoid the overuse of chemicals and fertilizers on your lawn and garden. There are many more desirable options for use on your lawn and garden to prevent unwanted growth, pests and maintain healthy growth. You can choose from many non-toxic, earth friendly and organic varieties. Not only will your yard and garden be a healthier place, so will the birds and they will love you for it.
The largest part of attracting birds to your yard relies on the types of plants you currently have. You don’t have to know their names, just what type they are in regards to: flowering plants, seed-producers, shrubs, bushes, trees, vines, etc. See what you have that already attracts birds then, see what you are missing. Good luck and enjoy watching your new feathered guests.