How to Landscape Your Garden for Birds
Creating a bird-friendly garden is a great way to enjoy nature while helping birds thrive, especially as many bird populations are in decline worldwide. By making a few landscaping changes, you can provide birds with food, shelter, and a safe space to visit.
- Plant Native Berry Bushes
One of the best ways to attract birds is by planting berry bushes that are native to your area. Native plants provide birds with the types of food they know and rely on, like berries, seeds, and even small insects. Berries such as elderberries, dogwoods, or serviceberries are excellent choices, as they’re nutritious and often provide food for birds in colder months when other resources are scarce. - Create Safe Shelters with Bushes
Birds need places to quickly take shelter, especially near feeding areas, as this helps them stay safe from predators like hawks or cats. Planting bushes or dense shrubs around your bird feeder gives them a safe hiding place to retreat if they sense danger. Plants like holly, juniper, or evergreen bushes make great protective spots. Birds feel more comfortable visiting feeders when they have shelter nearby, so adding these plants can increase bird activity in your garden. - Add Fresh Water
Birds need water not only for drinking but also for bathing. Setting up a small birdbath or shallow dish filled with fresh water will make your garden even more attractive to them. Place the water source near a bush or tree so birds can safely escape if needed. Remember to clean the birdbath regularly to keep the water fresh and prevent the spread of diseases. - Limit Chemical Use
Avoid using pesticides and chemicals in your garden, as these can harm birds directly or kill the insects they eat. By skipping chemicals, you also create a healthier environment for other wildlife, which benefits the ecosystem overall. - Maintain a Natural Look
Instead of trimming every shrub and clearing every fallen leaf, let your garden keep a natural feel. Small piles of leaves and twigs offer birds materials to build their nests, and untrimmed bushes make for safer hideouts. A natural, slightly wild garden attracts more birds by creating an environment that resembles their natural habitat.
Incorporating these elements into your garden makes it a welcoming space for birds. By providing food, water, and safe shelter, you’re not only helping local bird populations but also creating a relaxing, lively garden space you can enjoy year-round.