Preparing your backyard for spring birds
To attract more birds to your backyard this spring, make sure you’re meeting their three basic needs: food, water, and shelter.
Here’s how you can make your outdoor space a safe and welcoming stopover for migrating birds.
Food
Most birds can find food in nature, even in urban areas. However, backyard feeders provide an important supplement, especially during unexpected cold snaps or early migration periods.
Many species have migrated early this year causing potential problems as they search for food that may be scarce in cold weather.
This is especially true of birds that feed on flying insects.
Mealworms are an excellent source of protein and energy for many migrating species, especially bluebirds, swallows, Purple Martins, chickadees, woodpeckers, and others.
You can store mealworms in a refrigerator at 5–10°C for several weeks.
Water
Water is essential for birds but they don’t always feel at ease drinking at ground level where they become vulnerable to feline predators.
Bird baths attract birds that may not visit feeders and are a great addition to any backyard.
There are different types of bird baths and waterers.
Add a solar-powered fountain or a water agitator to make your bath even more appealing—the sound of moving water naturally draws birds in.
Other waterers and water containers have a good storage capacity and can be hung anywhere.
All baths need to be kept clean and should be washed regularly. An all natural, non-toxic solution can be added to the bath water in order to prevent stains, sludge, mineral deposits and organic contaminants.
Bird baths, like bird feeders, should be located in an area that is safe from predators.
Shelter
Planting trees and shrubs strategically can provide birds with the necessary hiding places to escape predators.
Installing nesting boxes or birdhouses can also help certain species find safe places to rest or raise their young.
Conifers work best and provide year-round shelter. If you want to support birds in more than one way, choose trees and shrubs that also provide food.
Planting native plants works best in our climate and provides the best food for our native birds.
Some recommended fruit-bearing plants are:
- mountain-ash,
- staghorn sumac,
- elderberry,
- dogwood and
- crabapple.
The advantage of having fruit and seed bearing plants is that they will provide food for birds for years to come.
