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Wren's, Robins, Cardinals, Grossbeaks, and even Hummingbirds have nested in our yard for years. I didn't know I was attracting so many birds at first, then I started paying more attention made just a few changes and attracted even more!

1. Water - Birds need clean water to drink and for bathing. I keep several birdbaths in the yard. One I made using two large clay pots stacked ends together with a large clay saucer on top - it's easy and inexpensive. I have two ceramic bird baths as well, one hangs from our upstairs deck, and the other is on a pedestal in the veggie garden. This way, the larger birds and the smaller birds can drink or preen their feathers at the same time, without confrontations.

Place birdbaths near a hose or water source to make it easier for you to keep them clean and filled.

2. Food. I feed the birds in winter; suet,safflower(squirrels don't like safflower which is a plus),sunflower seeds, etc. I put a Hummingbird feeder out in about mid-March as they send out scouts for find food sources. I grow a lot of flowering plants that they feed from starting in May. Once the flowers are in bloom, I take down the hummer feeder as it's a pain to wash and fill every day or two and I think the flower nectar is better for them anyway.

I grow sunflowers, heliopsis, purple coneflower, amaranthus, bee balm and many other flowering plants that offer both nectar and seeds. I bring the sunflower seed heads in when they are ripe, usually late August. You can tell they are rip by rubbing the center of the flower, if the little nubby bits fall off, and you see the seeds underneath, it's ripe. I don't grow enough to last all winter, but it does help to grow more seed and have to buy less.

3. In early spring (March) I start putting out bits of thread, dryer lint, dog/cat fur (they loved my Himalayans fur!), hair from my hair brush, Christmas tree tinsel, bits of yarn, thread and string. I grow milkweed as the birds love lining their nests with the soft seed puffs. Birds also love picking their own bits of grass, twigs, and weeds as well. It's great fun to find a nest when they've all left and see my colorful offerings woven into it.

4. Cover: Birds need a place to nest, rest, hide from predators and teach their young how to fly. Lilac bushes or shrubs and trees are a must if you want the birds to stay around and nest. Wren's and Bluebirds love bird houses, Robins use ledges or flatter shelters. A Robin built her nest in a hole in our large Sugar Maple tree this year too. They're not real picky. Thorny shrubs offer safe havens for birds. Hummers' nests are about the size of a thimble and they prefer berry patches or dense low bushes. Cardinals love our Yew bushes and Cedars.

5. Find out what birds nest in your part of the world. We live in Michigan, so have a wide variety of birds, but I do know I'll never attract Pink Flamingos, no matter how hard I try! My neighbor has a large property and puts up Wood Duck houses, another neighbor has a wide meadow and builds Purple Martin houses. I grow Bird House Gourds and hang them for the wrens and bluebirds.

6. Provide an environment that is relatively quiet and undisturbed. Avoid putting nesting boxes and houses in high-traffic areas, although Robins built nests over our back breezeway door when I was a kid and didn't seem to mind our comings and goings.

7. Do a bit of research if you want to attract specific birds to your yard. I just do what I can and enjoy the birds who move in. Also, I never have a problem with aphids, cabbage worms or other garden pests!

Learn more about this author, Pat Merewether.
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