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Attracting Birds to the Garden

Dogwood (pictured left), blueberries, raspberries, and yews are among plants that provide food for the birds. Vines like the Virginia creeper and Trumpet creeper and others provide food for birds too. Many attractive landscape specimens are ideal for birds.When planning a garden to attract birds, there are many things to consider Birds have four basic needs: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young.

Many different types of birds can be attracted to your garden. Several feeders, each with a different type of food can be placed in your yard. Water is very important in attracting birds. It can be supplied in your garden by the use of bird baths and pools or naturally from plants (sap, nectar, moisture, fruit, dew). Garden birds like shallow water to drink from and bathe in. It is highly recommended to provide water for the birds all year long.

Shelter is needed from the hot sun, cold wind, rain and predators. The shelter can range from a clump of grass to a high tree depending on the type of bird. By providing nesting boxes in your garden, you can encourage birds to set up permanent residence with you. The Mallard ducks (pictured right) are searching for food in my front yard after a heavy rain. The pleasure of having birds set up housekeeping, watching them raise their young, and enjoying their beauty and songs is hard to beat.

Many trees, shrubs, and vines attract birds to gardens. The plants provide shelter, nesting sites, food and cover for the bird. Evergreens are very good for providing nesting sites and cover for birds. Vines, spruces and many other attractive landscape specimens are excellent.'s

It's important to remember that once you have attracted birds to your landscape, you should be responsible for providing supplemental water and food during the winter months when natural food sources are scarse. Suet cakes and bird seed are much appreciated by our "feathered friends" during winter months.