Easy Ways to Attract Birds to Your Yard
Spring is on the way. Check out these Easy Ways to Attract Birds to Your Yard. Not only are they fun to watch, it can be educational for the kids too!
Spring is on the way and depending on where you live, your yard will be coming to life before long. My kids love to watch the birds, butterflies, and other animals out the windows. Check out these Easy Ways to Attract Birds to Your Yard.
Easy Ways to Attract Birds
Food
First things first. Those birds are hungry and they are looking for something to eat. Put out a simple bird feeder to attract some feathered friends. You can make your own, or you can purchase one. My kids love this Window Birdfeeder that we got last year. They have seen so many birds up close…even a squirrel.
Water
Provide a water source near protective shrubs during the summer months. On hot days, birds are especially eager to bathe and drink. Bird baths should be only an inch or two deep with a shallow slope; a dripping effect will lure more birds. Remember to keep it clean.
Plants
Landscape your yard with native, wildlife friendly plants. Head to your local garden center and they will point you in the right direction to the best plants for your area. Nestle a bird bath in those new plants and your yard will be buzzing in no time.
Home
Those cute birds will be looking for a place to call home. Why not help them out? Put up nesting boxes, a birdhouse, etc. My favorite option, add a little pile of nesting material to a corner of your yard. My kids LOVE to do this. It is so much fun to watch the pile and see what the birds are using.
Nesting Material Suggestions
- Twigs or sticks
- Dead leaves
- Grass clippings or dead grass
- Yarn, string or thread
- Human hair or animal fur
- Feathers
- Cattail fluff
- Moss or lichen
- Pine needles
- Mud
- Pebbles or small rocks
- Spiderweb silk
- Straw or other plant stems
- Dental floss
- Shredded paper
- Broom bristles or mop string
- Cotton balls
Safety
Last but not least. You will not have birds in your yard if they don’t feel safe. If you have a barking dog, or a prowling cat nearby, chances are you won’t have birds. Make sure your yard feels safe. Add some extra shrubs or plants for them to hide in if necessary.
