How To Make Your Backyard a Bird Haven
- April 23, 2009
- 4,002 Views
Writer
Jane_Gardner
Voice Over Artist
Darcie Champagne
Music
Todd Mazierski
Quit hogging your own backyard. Make it a haven for your fine feathered friends.
You Will Need
- Undisturbed trees or shrubs large enough to provide bird shelter
- Native plants that provide seeds, berries, and nectar
- A water source such as a stream, pond, or birdbath
- Wildflowers
- One or more bird feeders
- Birdhouses matched to your local species
- Logs
Step 1: Identify plants & trees
Identify which plants and trees in your yard already attract local birdlife.
Step 2: Add native trees, bushes, & flowers
Add native trees, bushes, and flowers that provide seeds, berries, or nectar for wild birds. Consult your state’s horticultural or Audubon society for suggestions, or ask a local nursery.
Think twice before getting rid of dead or dying branches and stumps, which provide shelter to many birds. Consider adding logs to your landscaping.
Step 3: Include water in your yard
Include water in your yard—a birdbath, fountain, stream, or pond will do the trick.
Step 4: Replace lawn w/ wildflower meadow
Consider replacing some of your lawn with a wildflower meadow. Even a small patch of wildflowers and tall grass will attract wild birds.
Step 5: Hang bird feeders
Hang bird feeders close to trees so birds can be sheltered—and ideally in sight of a window, so you can enjoy watching them.
Step 6: Build or buy a birdhouse
Build or buy a birdhouse and then put it up. Check with your local library, fish and wildlife department, or Audubon group to see what birdhouses suit your local species.
Keep your cats inside. It is estimated that house cats cause up to 100 million bird deaths each year in the U.S.
Step 7: Leave nests in place
If a bird builds a nest in your yard, leave it in place even after the babies have flown. The birds might return next year.
A study by the National Audubon Society showed that many common birds, from meadowlarks to field sparrows, have recently suffered major population declines.
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Comments (5)
Great video
over 2 years ago by djh
Cute!
over 2 years ago by mmf23
The wild flower patch is FANTASTIC! Really love this video!
over 2 years ago by HeatherM
great. one way to do your part for nature conservancy. especially rewarding when you move into a new house. you can make it a family project.
over 2 years ago by cmemove
really well done.
over 2 years ago by SoSunny
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