Do you recommend garden bird houses, bird feeders and birdbaths? Garden bird houses, bird feeder and bird baths have been popular. Attracting birds to your garden can be done in a variety of ways. Our gardening...
Attracting birds to your garden can be done in a variety of ways. Our gardening expert, Carlton Young, Assistant Manager of the Greenhouse and Gardens Division of Craven Pottery, says bringing different birds to your lawn can be one of the most rewarding aspects of having a garden.
"I have a lot of different types of bird feeders and bird houses that we use; of course, we get them from different vendors. Humming bird houses have been popular. Bat houses have been a big request lately. Birdhouses are already put together, so all the consumer has to do is hang them up," Young says.
Of course, you can always choose to make your own bird feeder by purchasing the appropriate items at your local arts and crafts store. You can also buy books that give you unique designs for your birdfeeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses.
Young and other gardening experts agree that the ideal bird feeder should be sturdy enough to withstand winter weather, tight enough o keep seeds dry, large enough so you don't have to refill it constantly, and easy to assemble and clean. For these reasons, plastic or metal feeders usually work better than wooden ones. In general, seed-feeders fall into three categories: tray feeders, hopper feeders, and tube feeders. Additional specialty feeders include suet, hummingbird, and peanut feeders. Each type attracts different kinds of birds, and has advantages and disadvantages.
Once you have the bird feeder you want to place in your garden, placement is the next important step. Make sure to place your feeder in a quiet area where it is easy to see and convenient to refill. To attract a variety of birds, the feeder should be close to natural shelter such as trees or shrubs, which offer refuge to birds as they wait their turn to feed. Evergreens are ideal, as they provide thick foliage that hides birds from predators and buffers winter winds.
Be careful that you don't place your feeder too close to cover, however, as nearby branches can provide good jump-off points for squirrels that may be eyeing the seeds, and cats that may be eyeing the birds. A distance of about ten feet seems to be a good compromise, but try experimenting. You can provide resting and escape cover for ground-dwelling birds, such as Song Sparrows, by placing loosely stacked brush piles near your feeders.
If no birds visit your feeder within a few days of setting it up, try sprinkling seeds on the ground nearby to make the feeder more obvious. If the seed in the feeder is blowing out or getting wet, your birds are probably getting the same treatment. Try moving the feeder to a calmer, more sheltered spot.
Birds can become ill from leftover bits of seeds and hulls that become moldy, as well as from bird droppings that accumulate on feeder trays. Therefore, you should clean your feeders about once every two weeks, more often during times of heavy use.
Garden bird houses, bird feeders, and birdbaths add a nice touch to any garden. They will also ensure that you get a daily dose of serenades. Young says they will take some maintenance and upkeep, but in the end you won't regret the variety of birds you will attract to your home.
