Learn the kinds of food the birds eat and select plants to
attract the desired species. To learn more about the kinds of
birds that visit your area, ask neighbors or members of the
local bird watching club or contact the Audobon Club.
Use wildflowers in your
plantings. Birds that eat seeds like quails, gold finches, and
doves find wildflowers attractive..
In order for birds to stay for more than a
day and to protect them from bad weather and predators, you can
put a birdhouse in the garden. If you want to make it look
more natural, an artificial tree can also be used.
Hanging birdfeeders in the garden area will bring the birds
in to check out your habitat. Be sure to select squirrel proof
feeders.
For birds to be present all year round,
you should check for the kinds of plants that can survive where
you live - even during the winter.
A good example is a conifer in the form of
shrubs or trees. These also serve as good nesting places during
the summer. Some types of conifers provide buds, seeds and sap.
Since not all plants work well with certain types of soil, you can
also check with a gardener before choosing which plants to buy.
Birds need water to survive. You can add a fountain or a
pond in the garden where birds can bathe and drink. Decorative
bird baths can serve a double purpose. They look nice and as
long as you keep them filled with cool clean water, they will
attract a variety of birds.
Landscaping the garden for the benefit of
birds is a rewarding project. It will take time to finish,
especially if you have started out with seedlings. Take pictures
to see the changes through the months.
Once you have finished you can enjoy bird
watching and listening to the happy bird songs from the comfort of
your own home.