Bird watching can be a fun family activity. Children tend to love wildlife and encouraging an appreciation of nature is an important concept for parents to teach. Before you start your bird watching adventures, however, you need to know how to attract birds to your yard. Staring out the window at nothing will only lead to boredom and whining! Here are a few tips for attracting birds this spring!
Bonus: The Great American Bird Count
Birdwatching is fun year round but it just so happens that there is also a fun birding event coming up soon. The 21st annual Great American Backyard Bird Count is just around the corner! The next Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is February 16-19, 2018. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate by counting birds in your yard. Get more details at gbbc.birdcount.org/
5 Tips For How to Attract Birds to Your Yard
Get your children involved in your backyard birding adventures. Encourage them to participate in not only the bird watching but the yard projects as well! Birds are fun to watch and they are also important to our ecosystems. In fact, the US Forest Service points out that , “Birds are very important pollinators of wildflowers throughout the world.”
1. Put out a bird feeder
If you are wondering how to attract birds to your yard, the first step is to put out a bird feeder. Make sure you know the general types of birds in your region so you know what kind of food to put out for them. Depending on the type of food you want to put out, purchase the appropriate feeder. Some options are suet feeders, tray feeders, thistle feeders, or traditional seed feeders. Make sure to protect the food with a baffle or other squirrel proofing type of mechanism.
If you have kids you may want to try making a bird feeder for fun with them. The below examples are fun craft projects but if you want long term bird feeder you will likely want to invest in a more heavy duty option with squirrel protection.
Plastic Milk Jug Bird Feeder
DIY Mason Jar Bird Feeder
Twig Bird Feeder
Cheerio Bird Feeder
Carton Bird Feeder
Wooden Bird Feeders
2. Provide a water source
Birds need plenty of water for drinking and bathing. You can put in a simple bird bath to provide water for birds. If you are feeling ambitious, try building a circulating pond or other type of backyard water feature. Make sure you keep the water clean to prevent the growth of algae and mosquitoes.
3. Offer places for nesting
Knowing how to attract birds to your yard THIS year is great. But, what about NEXT year? Make sure your bird population continues to thrive year after year by encouraging them to nest and raise their young in your yard. Put up nesting boxes in your yard and consider planting a few bushes for ground dwellers. Even hanging flower pots are great places for birds to nest.
4. Stop bagging up your leaves
Having plenty of leaf debris in your yard will encourage ground dwellers to visit more often. Leaf debris is a great place for worms, grubs, beetles and other bugs to hide. Since most birds love eating bugs, they will visit more often if you have plenty of them available to eat. Try using your leaves as mulch around your trees.
5. Plant trees and shrubs for shelter
Birds are prey animals and do not tend to like wide open areas with no shelter. Plant trees and shrubs in your yard for them to hide in and try to keep your cat inside. If the birds do not feel safe, they will not visit your yard. While most trees provide shelter and landing area, there are some flowers and trees that attract birds more than others. Often trees that provide seeds, berries or fruits will attract birds best (such as a flowering dogwood tree). It is easy to provide birds with plants to forage. Plants that attract birds best often provide flowers with nectar (such as butterfly weed that attracts hummingbirds).
Knowing how to attract birds to your yard will make your bird watching experience much more exciting. Familiarize yourself with the types of birds in your area as well as their food and nesting habits so that attracting birds to your backyard will be easier. Then, invest in a good pair of binoculars and start enjoying the bird life in your yard!
Here are 2 bonus easy ways to help the birds and honey bees:
- Buy organic. It is one of the easiest ways to support pollinator health.
- Skip the yard pesticides. You don’t really need them and they can hurt bird and bee populations.
Have any other tips on how to attract birds to your yard? Share them in the comments or @familyfocusblog!
Suggested Reading For Bird Watchers:
PBS KIDS Look and Learn Birds by Sarah Parvis
This book gives young birders the tools they need to get started. This kit comes with a book, binoculars, and more.
Science with Stuff: Bird-Acious by Melissa Stewart
Bird-acious is full of fascinating information, juicy factoids, and beautiful photos. Plus, it comes with a real sanitized owl pellet that kids can dissect!
Into the Field Guide: A Walk in the Woods by Emily Laber-Warren and Into the Field Guide: A Walk on the Beach by Laurie Goldman
These portable field guides describe birds commonly found in the woods and on the beaches of North America, as well as common critters, trees, flowers, rocks, and more. The Into the Field Guide books can be purchased on their own or as part of a treasure box edition, which comes with a book, magnifying jar, and mesh bag.
National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Birds of North America by Jonathan Alderfer and Paul Hess
Perfect for new birding enthusiasts and even experienced birders.
Do you enjoy watching birds in your back yard?
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Spring DIY Home Decorating: Bird Wall Art
How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder
Whatsmom says
This is AWESOME! I live, live LOVE birding! And this is a great article for tips on how to get my son interested in it as well!