Bird Attracting

Birds typically visit for three reasons; shelter, food and water. Shelter can mean many different things like bird houses, shrubs, trees, evergreens and wildflower beds. Birds will usually shelter close to their feeding and watering grounds so providing these items is equally important. Having wildflowers, fruits and berries are just a few of the foods they search for. If your trying to attract hummingbirds, try putting in deep colored tubular flowers preferably red. Even a simple bird bath will attract our feathered friends. Circulating water is a better bet since the water stays cooler and cleaner.

I like to take a more natural approach to bird attracting by using natural items, no feeders or houses in my yard. The feeders are not really good for them if they begin to rely on it and the houses attract more wasps than birds. I have plenty of evergreens and dense bushes for nesting, several varieties of berries and flowers for food and plenty of water features for drinking. I currently have Barn Swallows, Robins, Sparrows and Finches nesting in my yard. The Barn Swallows and Robins return every year and have become so comfortable with me that I am the only one they don't buzz. Sometimes I think they know who the caretaker is.

In addition to my regular visitors I also get occasional visitors like Hawks, Red Winged Blackbirds, Warblers and Humming birds. Not only do I enjoy watching their behavior but the sounds are amazing. I don't claim to be any kind of bird expert but I have learned that the more natural the environment the more they will return.

Each year I add just one item I think they would enjoy such as a specific shrub I think might be interesting for nesting or a shrub that produces berries. Serviceberries are quite popular with birds and they come in several different forms. My dark purple flowering Altheas tend to attract the hummingbirds even though they lose interest quickly.

It's really not hard to bird attract if you follow the three basics and then build on it year to year. Even if you start with just one item like water you can attract some birds.