Bird Garden

"When I bought my farm, I did not know what a bargain I had in the
bluebirds, daffodils and thrushes; as little did I know what
sublime mornings and sunsets I was buying." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the corner of my garden, there is a shrub where all year round tiny red flowers bloom in bunches. In the midst of the chirrup of many birds , a wagtail chose this flowering shrub to build a nest. A long leaf pulled like a hammock between two branches, cushioned the nest woven with dry pine leaves to welcome the new arrivals in the wagtail family. It's a known fact that flowering trees and shrubs attract birds. When a plant starts flowering, birds come searching for food, nectar and nesting ground and every bird species will always choose certain plant types. For a bird watcher, it is a gratifying experience to see different types of birds homing into the backyard garden. Over time, even if you are not able see them perching on a tree or shrub in your backyard, you learn to identify them by their cheep. A dedicated bird garden is a rewarding experience for a photography hobbyist. If you don't have a bird garden, here are a few tips that you might find useful while planning one.

Bird Garden Plants

You can convert your backyard, terrace or the roof of your home into a bird garden. A large space is not so important, as much as it being well planned. In fact, any empty space with enough sunlight and access for the birds can be selected. The next step to the makeover, is to look up tried out bird garden plans. The primary aim of your bird garden should be to provide a habitat for different local bird species. A few from the over 9,500 living bird species in the world may be in your neighborhood. There could be warblers, babblers, shrikes, robins, goldfinches, woodpeckers, thrushes, orioles, doves, swallows, sparrows, finches, owls, hummingbirds, etc. - to name a few. Before going about planning a bird garden, you need to first find out which of these are local bird breeds. This is important as every bird species looks for certain plants for food or to make its nest, so you need to choose the bird garden plants keeping in mind their requirements.

Planting trees that will provide the birds food all year round is a good way to attract them to your garden. Birds love to eat seeds, fruits and flower nectar. You can grow seasonal plants to attract different birds. In winter, when food is scarce, they come looking for berries. You can plant holly, rosehip, cranberry, ivy, spindle, or hawthorn. Plant flowering plants like butterfly bush, golden rod, marigold, thistle and primrose. Flowering plants attract insects, which are a source of food for birds. Some bird species have a liking for nectar of flowers. Flower beds and ground cover entice birds to the insects in the dry leaves, so don't clear them off. An organically grown lawn can be a healthy lure for birds as some species feed on earthworms. Conifers, holly bushes, hedges and vines provide excellent nesting ground for birds. You also need to make sure you don't get too enthusiastic and cover the whole space. Leave some bare earth, as birds use mud for nesting and to dust bathe. Plan your garden in such a way so as to provide them a safe haven to which they can come back next year too.

Bird Garden Decor

Apart from its functional value, bird garden décor can enhance the look of your garden. Buy a bird feeder, bird table, bird bath, or a bird sculpture as per your budget. They are available in a variety of materials like metal, ceramic, stone and wood. A bird feeder on the wall or hanging from a tree can be used to provide them with seeds or suet. A bird table can be used to serve assorted seeds (different bird species relish different types of seeds) and other bird food. Incorporate a bird bath in your garden. Regular supply of clean water provided in the bird bath will ensure the birds come back to your garden. If you have the space, add a water feature like a small fountain. Birds are known to recognize the sound of flowing water from a mile away. A bird box is a perfect alternative if you cannot grow trees or shrubs. A bird box is a nesting box that will draw some type of birds to nest. Easily accessible nesting materials like dried bark, twigs and leaves, wood chips, dry grass, moss, etc. encourage the different bird species to nest in your garden and pruning can be done keeping this in mind. It's important that you clean the fixtures at regular intervals. Do not keep the seeds in the bird feeder or bird table for more than two days. Clean and dry the feeder at least every second day and check for mold and mildew. Clean the bird bath on regular basis, and add fresh water every day.

More Bird Food

In order to lure birds to your garden, you can also be purchase bird food from a supermarket. Mealworms are popular with a lot of bird species. When you buy mixed seeds, check whether the ingredients are popular with the local birds. Buy seeds that even weak billed species can open easily. Store the seeds in an air-tight container and stash in a cool, dry place. Before serving, always check for mold or mildew. Fruits like grapefruit and apples, orange and water soaked raisins should be cut into small pieces before feeding. Nesting female birds require calcium. Egg shells have calcium. Before serving, the egg shells should be rinsed, dried and then baked at around 250 degrees or till the edges turn brown. Crumble before spreading on the bird table or open space in your backyard.

Refer to wildlife garden books or visit bird gardens in your neighborhood. It would be a good idea to consult a horticulturist who will not only help plan your garden but will also provide you some useful pruning tips. A bird garden can be a stimulating experience; however you'll have to keep aside some time to look after your garden. Bird watching is an education for both children as well as adults. When you start bird watching, keep a scrapbook of pictures and notes on the birds. In the beginning, you will also need a wildlife book to help identify the different winged species visiting your bird garden.

Coming back to my story, in time, the wagtail fledglings broke through their shells. It wasn't long before their wings were strong enough to fly away, leaving behind a barren nest. Hopefully, next year, a wagtail will return to build a nest in my bird garden again.