Attracting Birds To Your Yard

(European Blue Tit)

Do you enjoy waking to the sound of birds chirping in your yard? Are you interested in attracting more birds to your yard and new varieties that are not there presently? Would you like to plant trees and shrubs that would shelter and provide food?

Trees and plants are a basic source of food and shelter for birds. A variety of plants, trees and shrubs will attract a wider variety of birds. Robins love to build mud nests in the arms of apple trees. Brown creeper’s prefer peeling bark of a shagbark hickory for nesting.

Below are ways to plan your landscaping so that birds will be attracted to your yard.

1. Consult a regional field guide for birds that live in your area.

2. Add plants that are known to attract the birds that you desire to have in your yard.

3. Use plants that grow naturally in your area. Ask your local garden center or nursery.

4. Use plants that provide a source of food and nesting for birds.

5. Use evergreen plants that birds will visit all year.

6. Clip your plants once or twice a year so they will flower and seed. This provides food for birds.

7. Provide water for your backyard bird sanctuary. Birds need water to avoid dehydration and to keep their feathers clean for efficient insulation and flying. A beautiful bird bath for the warm seasons are good. In winter, prevent water from freezing with a warming device made specifically for birdbaths. A miniature fountain or drip spout is also excellent. Have your water source near a plants or tree with branches hanging close by. This a quick get away for birds from predators.

Below is a list of vegetation for attracting various types of birds to your yard.

1. Robin-Grape vines and other fruits, flowering and evergreen trees like apple, dogwood and cedar provide food and nestling.

2. Cardinal-Foxtail grasses

3. Chikadee-Bush berries and seeds from evergreens like spruce and fir offer winter nourishment.

4. Dove-Tall grasses provide doves with seeds. Doves build simple nests in oaks and evergreens.

5. Hummingbird-The nectar from jewelweed, trumpet creeper and beebalm.

6. Finch-Sweetgums produce seeds, a finch’s primary food. Thistledown insulates cup-shaped nests; thistle seeds nourish chicks.

7. Bluebird-Service berry and blackberry fruit in winter. Bluebirds find insects in open lawns and often seek cover in blooming dogwood trees.

8. Sparrow-Crabgrass and blackberry attract these seed and insect-eating birds.

9. Warbler-Bayberry shrubs are a favorite for the Warbler to nest in. They also perch high in cedar trees where they can survey the grass for insects.

10. Blue Jay-Blue Jays find food and shelter in red pines, bushes and shrubs.

Birds have specific feeder preferences. However, they will exchange on type of food for another as it becomes available. When no other food is available they will try to eat from anything. To attract a diversity of species, install a combination of feeders holding a variety of seeds, fruits, nuts and suet. Distract persistent squirrels by offering ears of corn at your yard’s edge. For more information on bird feeders and ways to attract birds to your yard visit: http://www.aaronsonlineboutique.com

--La Donna Jensen, co-owner Aaron’s Online Boutique, owner of Network Marketing Income, Internet entrepreneur, 20 years marketing and sales, author.