How to attract birds to my backyard?
How to attract birds to my backyard?
When we first moved to Mindtown Atlanta, there were not many birds visiting our abandoned backyard. Nowadays, we are visited for over 30 species during the year. Some are local birds and some are migratory birds.
We basically planted evergreen shrubs such as hollies, aucubas, ligustrums, anise and many others. And most importantly we have 2 birdbaths and 3 water fountains. Water is the key to have many birds in our backyard.
Tip: Place one birdbath with stand close to a tree so the birds can feel protected and they will have a place to clean their feathers. And another one on the floor surrounding by plants such fatsia japonica, a holly tree or azaleas. Birds seem not to like birdbaths without shrubbery around it. Make sure to clean the birdbath at least once a week and refill it with fresh water every other day (even if water its frozen).
Most importantly, please do not apply any pesticides in your garden. If you apply an insect control for example you will kill not only the undesired insect but the beneficial as well, then a bird will eat this insect and then you will be poisoning the bird too.
How Important is Water for Birds?
It is VERY important, birds like other (all) animals, need water to survive. Birds also use
water for bathing, to clean their feathers and remove parasites. Every day we have many birds visiting our backyard’s birdbaths and water fountain. I don’t even have to place bird food anymore, because with water I attract more birds than ever.
Check out the following videos and pictures:
Video:
Pictures of my backyard birds:
Interesting sites:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/Members/BirdNote09–ProvideWater.pdf
http://blog.wbu.com/2012/07/16/how-important-is-water-for-birds/
http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/2620
This is so so useful! What a great site. I love the Japanese garden.
Thank you so much! I am very glad you like it! It really works we have sooooo many birds every day, sometimes I think my neighbors will complain because of the noise of all birds singing :). Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/arcoirisdesigngardening thanks!
The same here! One of the first things I did when we moved was to put up a bird feeder and I love the chirping, it’s so peaceful.