Attracting Backyard Birds

Today Mr. Andy Johnson from Merrifield Garden Center gave a video talk on attracting backyard birds. This blog talks about all the things I learned about backyard birds.

Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are fun to watch but are mainly for the enjoyment of people and not for the birds. Birds do better by eating native plants and seeds. Be sure to place the feeders far enough away from your windows to avoid collisions.

Squirrels often eat seeds in bird feeders. There are several birds feeders on the market today which are advertised to keep the squirrels away. Some types of feeders are within a squirrel proof cage, spinners, and even adding hot additives to the bird seeds. There was a comment about squirrels getting used to eating spicy seeds, so I’m not sure on this method. Eating spicy seeds apparently does not bother the birds. Also be sure to clean up any bird seeds at the bottom of your feeder. Store all bird seeds in proper containers away from rodents, squirrels or insects. If all else fails, you can also feed the squirrels in another area of the yard away from the bird feeder.

Tube or humming bird feeders need to be kept clean. Look for bird feeders that are easy to take apart for a good cleaning. Use one part of bleach and nine parts of water to clean the bird feeders. The bleach solution will kill any mold and certain diseases.

Attract Backyard Birds with Water & Native Plants

Birds also need water to drink and to bathe in. Place about two inches of water in your bird baths or water sources. Even the sound of running water attracts birds.

Plant selection for your yard is important if you want to attract birds, bees or pollinators.

Also, for a good bird habitat, try to be a little messy leaving some leaves or debris about.

Plant native plants to attract birds. Native plants have flowers and seeds that birds like to eat. Native plants will also attract certain insects for the birds to eat. Lastly, the birds can also build their nests in native plants.

Be sure to check with your local nursey to see what native plants grow in your area. In the Northern Virginia area, there is almost an endless supply of trees, bushes and flowers to attract birds and pollinators.

A few mentioned plants in this seminar were rhododendrons, juniper, winter berry, bay berry, black eyed susan seeds, jack in a pulpit, Indian Pink, Columbine, and Buck Eye trees. There is even a way to tell how many bird species will benefit from planting a particular native plant or tree.

I want to thank Merrifield Garden Center for their Attracting Backyard Birds online program. Happy Bird Watching to all my FMB Readers!