How to create a bird-friendly backyard
By Alicia Jay
— A personal journey into creating a bird-friendly backyard
If you are anything like me? You don’t have the first idea about how to create a bird-friendly backyard, let alone if you want to get really crazy & create a certified wildlife habitat…. Through all of my trial & errors, I’m going to share with you what I found works, and what doesn’t….
As with human existence, the basics are necessary. Food, water & shelter. I purchased my home in May of 2019 & none of that existed here. It was a beautifully sodded, fenced in yard with a Florida pine tree & a Norfolk pine. That was IT. So how did I go from something so barren that is now THE coveted place for every bird to visit within miles? Let me explain…..
First: Food 🍱
This is the easiest of all - a few feeders, and bam! You have food. But is it really that simple?
In short? Yes. 🙌
If you are new to trying to attract birds? Do NOT get the most expensive food available with the biggest variety. You are setting yourself up for disappointment & failure. Start simple & with the most widely accepted food amongst the most variety of birds: Black oil Sunflower seeds. It can take a few days to a few months to start to see the fruits of your labor. Also why you want to start with food that isn’t digging a huge hole in your budget.
Black oil sunflower seeds are literally the least expensive food you can purchase & the upside is? You may grow a few beautiful sunflowers! 🌻
QUALITY is important though. If you find the seeds you purchase are covered in dust & grossness (maybe even some bugs)? Find a better brand. Birds can feed anywhere in the wild & on a variety of items. If you want them to “want” what you have? Be picky.
(We’ll get into other food varieties & when to add them in my next blog)
Clean the feeders as you see them starting to get yucky. Different areas of the world will need less cleaning than others. If you live in a “wet” climate? Your feeders will definitely need more attention than others. During the really wet times though, don’t fill your feeders all the way up. Anticipate if you can, good weather days versus the bad ones. This will make your job of keeping feeders clean a whole lot simpler.
*Side note: should you decide to grow the sunflowers (literally the bird seed ones grow the best & most often), let them get ugly! When the flower is done blooming beautifully? That’s when the magic happens! The center of the flower is a huge seed pod that is growing even more sunflower seeds! Birds will literally eat the seeds directly from the growing pods & it is so satisfying to witness! Let them continue to grow long after the beauty of the flower has faded.
Second: Water
I can imagine when you are eating a meal, you tend to need to wash down the food with a beverage. Correct? Birds aren’t much different.
For every 2 to 3 feeders I would suggest putting out a water source.
Whether you choose it to be a beautiful decorated bird bath or a simple bowl designated for them to use. Water is vital. Especially clean water. Daily changing of the water & cleaning of the bath/bowl it is essential for them. If you are in a high humidity climate? Even more important! Solar fountains are great for keeping the water moving but even in high humidity climates? Algae WILL grow. I use a fingernail brush (like the kind you get at any beauty supply store) to scrub the bottom weekly (minimally).
Personally? I have two concrete bird baths, a glass birdbath (much easier to clean), several bowls placed in various locations & recently dug & designed a mini garden pond. Only put out as many water sources (per feeder quantity) as you can personally keep up with. I’m not going to tell you it’s an easy job to maintain. But I will tell you it’s worth it!
Third: Shelter
When humans think of shelter, we think nesting boxes or homes. You aren’t far off - THAT BEING SAID…. If you are attracting birds to your feeders? You are also attracting predators who feed on the birds.
Shelter (when referring to birds & watching/feeding them) is more about a place they can fly to quickly to avoid a predator attack. Plants that fill out & have lots of branches & leaves help them get away easiest & quickly. I understand not everyone can plant a huge tree. So? Look at filling potted plants if you are short on space. I personally have put out an oak tree, a coconut palm, an avocado tree, several potted plants & a butterfly garden. Don’t forget about some of the larger grassy plants. Here we have liriope grass & fakahatchee grasses that not only provide shelter but the seed pods provide a natural food source.
If you battle with squirrels, keep your feeders distanced from your plants/trees. They are cheeky creatures & when faced with a challenge, show remarkable intelligence to acquire a food source.
So that’s the basics! Food, water & shelter. I have a lot more information if you’d like to know! Like, how do you get the painted buntings, the hummingbirds, owls, wild ducks, and maybe even the stray exotics to choose your yard over your neighbors? Watch for more information coming in the next several months!
Alicia Social Link:
Share
1 comment
I have found the best feeders and they are squirrel proof. I’ve been using them for a few years. They are pricey but work well, Brome Squirrel Buster. Also, black birds had been eating me out of house and home so I changed to safflower seeds and the squirrels don’t like them either.
