How to Attract More Birds with Leftover Bird Seed
By Alicia Jay
— A personal journey into creating a bird-friendly backyard
So now that we’ve established in the simplest of terms on how to create a bird-friendly backyard, let’s get to the specifics!!!!
Many new-time birders are often discouraged by the amount of grackles, doves, starlings etc (what they call nuisance birds) that they see all over their feeders. Don’t be. I can tell you from experience, these are the birds that will establish your yard as THE place to be. It takes a little bit of time to start to see the more coveted species. The rare & elusive are that way because they actually are rare & elusive. But what can you do to help encourage them to visit? Let’s talk.
There are many plants that you can install that have a natural bird attraction. And some plants? You actually have access to without spending a dime!!!! I know, I know, I’ve heard it all before…. No I don’t…. Let me explain…..
Once you start adding mixes of bird seeds other than black oil sunflower seeds, this is when things can get interesting! Bird seed isn’t just food. They are seeds that are derived from plants. When they are discarded? They can & WILL grow!!!! So what can we do? Many bird feeders & watchers get discouraged by the amount of food that winds up on the ground, destroying their pristine landscape. I’m telling you? I have found that discarded bird seed? IT MAKES THE BEST GROWING OPPORTUNITIES!!!!
Yes, it can mound up under the feeder & start to look atrocious. So, here’s MY secret….
I set the hose to full power, use the power wash setting &….. disperse & water in those seeds into other areas. From there? The seeds will root & grow.
Literally? That’s it. I wait for them to sprout, pluck them by the stem with roots intact & transplant them to pots or designated (& secluded areas) around the yard. Knowing what to look for? That takes practice. If you don’t know what a corn cob stem looks like when growing? It’s fairly recognizable (not that you can grow actual corn from the seed). Wild bird millet starts off the exact same looking plant! You know, the coveted millet that the painted buntings & cardinals love?

Let it grow, let it groooo-owwwww
Seriously. Through trial & error? I plucked things growing from the ground & placed them in pots, just to know what it was. I was pleasantly surprised! The sunflowers & millet did the best. Attracted more wild birds & they would actually eat it right from the plant even when the feeders were full!

The mockingbirds here do not visit my feeders. They do visit my bird baths. I was able to attract them with other bird friendly plants like nightshade & beauty berries. Those are plants I didn’t establish, but they did! One day they just started growing & I let them. Again? I was so shocked by this!!!! They must have brought the seeds in from other areas & dropped them.

In my next blog, I will visit the plants most coveted by hummingbirds. Stay tuned!!!!
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8 comments
Thrilled you’re excited! 🦜 We will keep dropping posts every week 💪
Glad to help you 🤗
Thanks for liking our blog! We will keep updating and creating more fun, loving, and professional bird content for everyone!
Well written article!
So glad you enjoyed the cam footage with Birdfy Feeder Cam! 📸Happy birding!

