Creating a Bird Friendly Habitat In Your Yard

Sometimes just the sight of nature’s wonders in our own yard can be enough to brighten our day. Singing birds, playful birds, mamma birds, baby birds and more may visit your home more frequently if they find it interesting and accommodating.

Enticing wild birds to visit your yard may not be as difficult as you would think. In fact, chances are you already have plenty of birds visiting, but not many that are brave enough to venture close to your home and gardens. Read on for some tips about how you can turn your yard and gardens into a friendly environment for birds.

Nurture the Surroundings…
If you want the local animals to enjoy your yard enough to visit and stay for prolonged periods of time, it is necessary to take good care of the gardens and promote their health and growth. Some curious birds like to explore as they search for new places to find worms. Others may just enjoy hopping about the flowerbeds. Whatever the case, no matter what kind of birds you are hoping to attract, you must care for and cultivate your gardens and the lawn.

Plant flowers and do your best to discourage weeds, whether by removing them or applying mulch or other weed deterrents (but try to avoid pesticides!). Consider growing plants that bear seeds or berries to further encourage birds to visit. If you should choose something like raspberries, you’ll have a treat that even you and your family can enjoy. Water your garden as needed and enjoy the new life that it brings – both flora and fauna!

Welcome Birds with Food…
The first step in connecting with birds may be to purchase some birdseed and find a nice place near your home or gardens to sprinkle it, or a favorite tree to hang a birdfeeder. Consider using sunflower seeds - a healthy and tasty treat that many birds enjoy. The birdseed will help to attract birds seeking a tasty snack, and before you know it, you’ll probably have more birds sharing that food than you can count!

If it is your wish to bring the birds specifically to your gardens, consider setting up a small dish of birdseed in a corner location. This will give you ample opportunities to take marvelous photographs of your new feathery friends, should you so desire. With a gorgeous backdrop of your favorite flowers, what could be more beautiful?

Provide Stylish Shelter…
As you develop your gardens into a bird-welcoming paradise, remember that your only limitation is your own imagination. Be creative and think about what a bird might especially enjoy besides food and an interesting, pretty setting. A-ha! A birdhouse would also contribute immensely to the habitat and to the aesthetics of your yard and gardens.

Depending on your comfort level with handicrafts, you may wish to build, or at least paint and decorate, your own birdhouse. Compare styles and prices at a craft store or a home improvement store, or purchase the raw wood and construct your own bird home. Make sure you select weatherproof outdoor paint and a waterproof protective coating.

You may also choose to purchase a birdhouse that is already painted and ready to be hung. Many gift shops and some department stores also offer fully constructed and designed birdhouses in countless colors, shapes, sizes and styles.

Remember, you are only limited by your creativity, so you can set up a birdie bungalow or a mansion for your feathered friends.

Invite the Birds over for a Dip…
What’s a bird habitat without a birdbath? Not only do they inspire the winged ones to swoop down for a drink or to playfully splash around, but birdbaths also enhance the uniqueness of your gardens.

Birdbaths are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes and sizes. Some may feature one solid color while others may sport many adornments as a mosaic. From simple stone birdbaths and hanging birdbaths to elaborate fountains, you can select the perfect piece to complement the design and style of your garden and its plant life.

Imagine what a beautiful centerpiece you will have in your garden once you find the perfect birdbath or fountain!

Relax and Enjoy the Antics of Your New Feathered Friends…
Now that you have modified your yard to welcome birds of all kinds, sit back and relax. Be patient as the birds become curious about the area’s aesthetic enhancements. Try to stay out of direct sight at first, until the birds become comfortable with the new environment. Avoid making noises and do not approach them, at least not right away.

Once the birds become familiar with the sanctuary you built for them, it may be possible for you to sit just a few feet away and enjoy your morning coffee, snap photos or even carry on a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor. At some point, the birds may become so comfortable with their new playthings that they may not even notice you!

Once you have taken the time to make these beautiful developments, you can enjoy the bird paradise, your beautiful gardens and the curious wildlife for a long time to come.

Little Extras…

• To make the environment people-friendly as well, think about buying a swing, a bench or at least setting up a few chairs so you can sit outside and enjoy the new life you brought to your home and gardens. A picnic table may also make a nice addition.
  
• If you intend to take photos of your feathered friends, consider investing in a tripod if you do not already have one. Birds may venture close enough to you for a good shot with a standard lens, depending on their nature. But, you may also wish to use a larger, heavier lens that could be tough to hold steady without a tripod.
  
• Next project – a pond in your backyard! This project encourages all kinds of wildlife to visit, from the fish you put in the pond to frogs and turtles, thirsty birds and countless other critters.