| Attracting Birds |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-307 |
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Q: I love to bird-watch. What's the best way to attract a variety of birds to my garden? A: (from Jessie Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening Expert) If you're planting the right plants, you'll definitely attract birds to your garden! Materials: Plant material or birdhouse
Bird seed and feeders
Wire hooks
Birdbath or other water source
Hummingbird feeder
Warm water
Sugar
Red food coloring
- The "right" plants are those that provide shelter for birds. A spruce like the one shown in figure A is a good choice; another variety that offers ample shelter is the juniper (figure B). As a general rule, most evergreens will serve this purpose well.
- If you live in an apartment or simply don't have space for plants around your house, you can also use a birdhouse (or birdhouses) as a source of shelter. Be sure to note the size of the opening on the front of the model you select (figure C) and make sure it's the right diameter for the type of birds you want to attract.
(Some birdhouses will have this information on the tag; if not, ask the staff at the wildlife center where you buy the birdhouse.) One general rule to remember is an obvious one: smaller holes for smaller birds... and larger holes for larger birds. You'll also want to make sure the birdhouse has a panel that allows for easy cleaning; this may be on the bottom as seen in figure D, or on the top, as shown in figure E. - Once you've decided on the type of shelter you'll be providing, you're ready to add a food source. Again, the rule here is proportion: big seeds (figure F) will attract larger birds like cardinals and bluejays, while smaller seeds (figure G) will attract diminutive varieties such as finches.
If your trees are populated with squirrels, you'll need to take steps to protect the birds' food sources. Using a hanging wire basket feeder (figure H) is an easy and effective way to keep food out of the reach of greedy squirrels. These feeders include squares of lard -- which hold the seeds in place -- and baskets with openings too small for squirrels to access. Once all the seed is gone, simply open the basket and replace the seed square. - Summer-fruiting plants provide another good food source for birds. The holly bush, for example, produces clusters of bright red berries (figure I) that almost always attract birds such as orioles and woodpeckers.
- If you're a hummingbird fan, nectar-rich blossoms like jasmine (figure J) and honeysuckle (figure K) are great choices for drawing these tiny beauties into your yard or garden.
- And don't forget a water source! If you have the space, a birdbath (figure L) makes a wonderful addition to your landscape and will delight visiting birds. If not, check your local wildlife center for a hanging water container that you can place among the tree branches or hang from a porch or balcony.
- And finally, for those who love hummingbirds but just don't have space for blooms, a basic hummingbird feeder (figure M) will work just as well.
Simply mix one part sugar with four parts water, add a drop of red food coloring (to attract the birds), add to the feeder and replace the lid. Tip: Using warm water will ensure that the sugar dissolves quickly and completely. Once the birds have located their new food source, you can stop adding the food coloring. Now you're ready to sit back and watch the birds flock to their new "sanctuary"!
RESOURCES :
Birdhouses
Walnut Hollow
Website: www.walnuthollow.com
The Great Birdhouse Book: Fun, Fabulous Designs You Can Build
Model: 0806993340
Author: Mike Dillon
(June, 1999)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com
The Backyard Birdhouse Book
Model: 1580171044
Author: Rene Laubach and Christyna M. Laubach
1999
Storey Books / Storey Communications Inc.
Website: www.storey.com
Complete Birdhouse Book
Model: 0316188867
Author: Donald Stokes and Williams Stokes
(1998)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here
Time Warner, Inc
New York , NY 10020
Phone: 212-522-8700
Website: www.twbookmark.com
Birdhouse Builder's Manual
Model: 1565231007
Author: Charles Grodski
(December, 1999)
Fox Chapel Publishing
Attracting Birds: Bird Identification, Feeders, Houses And Baths
Model: 0376030933
Author: Editors of Sunset Books
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Sunset Magazine & Books
Menlo Park, CA 94025-3661
Phone: 650-322-3600
Fax: 650-322-1043
Website: www.sunset.com/
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