Ever wonder why your yard is quiet and your neighbor's is filled with birds? It's not luck, it's habitat. The most bird-friendly yards look a little "messy". Many homeowners accidentally create a bird desert by removing what birds need to survive. From that ugly dead tree to the corner you want to clean up, you probably already have the beginnings of a bird paradise. Curious to know what everyday gardening chore you should skip this weekend? Keep reading.
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
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Birds need clear spaces where they can insect and seed, while being on the lookout for predators. These areas provide runway-like visibility for ground-feeding birds like robins and juncos. The best bird-friendly yard has open feeding areas and a shelter nearby.
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Natural Nesting Materials Left Around
Pet fur, cut grass, and twigs are high quality nesting materials for birds and you throw them away! Leaving them in your yard is the same as opening a free nesting supply store for birds! Even a small collection of cut grass, twigs, and pet fur can make your yard a popular choice for birds to raise their young.
Where to Find Year-Round Reliable Sources of Water.
A water source that dries up or freezes is unreliable. However, a heated bird bath provides year-round water and dependable resource that birds will remember and return to. Birds will often need water more than food, especially in winter when natural sources are frozen solid.
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Quiet Spaces Away from Noise
Noises like leaf blowers, traffic, and stereos can overwhelm birds, and make your yard feel stressful to use. It’s true birds use silence to communicate through small, subtle sounds that can be easily drowned out by these noises. When you create quiet zones using plants and/or fences, you help make the environment birds need to communicate, or even to begin nesting. If you create a small area of peace and quiet, it can help make your yard a permanent home for the birds, rather than just a brief stop.
Common Questions
1. Is it a good idea to leave a dead tree on my property?
It really depends on where the tree is located. If it’s far enough away that it won’t impact your home, other structures, or play areas, it is usually safe and it’s good for wildlife. However, if it could fall onto property or people, then safety is the priority. In that case, you could have an arborist take off the dangerous limbs but leave a shorter, stable trunk (like 10-15 feet) to keep as a wildlife snag.
2. How often do I clean my bird baths and feeders?
Disease-causing germs can be found on dirty bird baths and feeders, which is why it's important that cleanliness is a top priority for you and the birds' sake. In hot weather, it's a good idea to wash bird baths once a day. During cooler weather, bird baths can be washed every 2-3 days. As for feeders, they can be cleaned every two weeks unless they are damp, congested, or dirty which would require more frequent cleaning. To disinfect the feeders and bird baths, mix one part vinegar to nine parts water and scrub the feeders and bird baths thoroughly. Once rinsed, make sure they are completely dry before refilling bird baths or feeders.
3. How can I assist birds, given that my HOA has stringent rules about “messy” yards?
Creating a wonderful birds habitat space within HOA guidelines is possible. Consider a "wild but tidy" approach. You could make a brush pile in a corner behind a shed or a screen of evergreen shrubs. Use native species that look tidy. Instead of allowing your entire garden to stand in winter, you can leave a designated patch of seed-bearing flowers in a less visible area. Also, a small dripper in a clean bird bath looks tidy but is a highly effective addition.
4. If we leave food out and make a shelter won't that attract pests like rats and mice?
This is a concern and can be addressed. To discourage rodents, use feeders that catch fallen seed or use no-mess seed blends. Store birdseed in containers that are metal and secure. Regularly clean up spilled seed, especially during the night. If your yard is clean and free of garbage, brush piles are more likely to attract beneficial wildlife like native reptiles and amphibians rather than rats.
5. What are some good beginning native plants that attract birds?
Starting planting projects with food and cover sources is beneficial. With flowers you could use Coneflower (Echninacea), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), and Sunflower (Helianthus) which all produce bird loved seeds. For shrubs, Serviceberry (Amelanchier) provides berries and nesting areas, and Viburnums give fruit and cover. If there’s space, native Oak, Cherry, or Maple trees will host the most insects for baby birds.
