3 of 11

Write now Article Tools

A nesting site , for birds, must provide shelter from the elements, safety, easy reach of food such as berries, seeds, insects or fruit and easy access to the nesting area itself.

A good way to attract birds into your garden is to plant shrubs which are fairly dense in form. If they provide berries at the end of the season, this is good too, not for the young but for the adults to help them get through the cold periods. Put plants in your garden that attract insects like buddliea, roses, carnations, asters, dahlias and other scented plants, as these will provide food for the birds.

Also, encourage insects to show themselves by digging over a small patch every other day and leaving it for the birds to help themselves to the pests like chafer grubs, leather jackets and cut worms. This does the garden and birds good. Leave old leaves in an area so the birds are encouraged to forage for insects under them.

Do not use pesticides on your lawn or beds as birds will often pick up and eat insects which are dead or dying and even feed them to their young. This way pesticides can be passed on to the chicks. Also, certain chemicals have the effect of making the egg shells thinner so if the adults feed on the insects treated with pesticides, their eggs will have far less chance of hatching successfully.

Bird feeders are good although be careful what you put on them during the nesting season as nuts and bread can swell and choke chicks. Mealworms or small amounts of fresh fruit will be enjoyed and welcome. You can buy pre-mixed food to of course. Don't forget that different birds feed differently. Some like to feed from a table, others feed on the ground while still others like a feeder so put out a variety if you can to attract the greatest number of bird species.

Sugar solution in feeders will attract more exotic birds if they are around, either as permanent residents of migrants. Birds like humming birds will such from the feeders and perhaps even nest nearby.

Now you have attracted them in, provide a suitable habitat for them to nest. Birds will be looking for the ideal spot and bird boxes can be good. Quite why they so readily use bird boxes is a mystery but different species like different entry holes and for the box to face different ways so make sure you buy the correct boxes for the bird species you want to attract. Some birds will enlarge holes to suit them so allow them to do this if they want.

Place the boxes out of the way, facing away from prevalent winds and high

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to encourage birds to nest in your backyard?
We want to hear your view. Write now!