Birds in the garden are an important part of the enjoyment, healing and solace that encompass the gardener's experience.  Their songs accent the change of season from winter to spring as well as the ever joyous greeting of each new day.  Some of us welcome the birds with food, shelter, nesting boxes, and refreshment to attempt to harness that wildness and feel victory as we draw them near to observe right from the comfort of a quiet spot or warm window.  This page is dedicated to the lovers of feather and song, whether new or old, novice or expert, we hope you will find some tidbit that will help you along your way.

To attract birds to your yard there are a few things you need to have available.  In general, you need protection (a place where they can hide from predators like cats and dogs), refreshment (like a birdbath or shallow fountain), food (whether it be berries, seeds, fruit or suet) and a nesting area.  Not all of us have the luxury of having enough space to supply all these needs, however, we can supply some of them and get appreciation from viewing our feathered friends a little closer. 

Protection for Birds

Plants that provide protection for these creatures usually have a bit of a dense habit.  For example, Forsythia, Rambling and Climbing Roses, Weigelia, Silver Lace vine, Autumn Clematis, Yews, Arborvitae, Bridal Veil Spirea, Climbing Hydrangea, Honeysuckle, Skimmia, Hawthorne trees, Fringetrees, flowering Quince just to name a few.  If you take a moment to look at some of these items you will notice they have some similair qualities.  They are dense and almost gnarly with twisting and interlaced branches so that if you were to climb inside the shrub, you would be instantly entangled.  If you have an area off to the outside edge of your lawn and garden area, you can allow a small thicket to exist that your bird friends will gladly occupy. Click here to see protective shrub pictures.