Supplying food, water and shelter will attract feathered friends
By Terri Gorney Lehman
Have you ever watched a bird?
Spring is the perfect time to do so as they are busy singing, mating and nest building. There are small things that you can do to help our feathered friends.
Is your yard bird friendly?
All birds need food, water and shelter, just like us.
Trees and shrubs are perfect places for them to roost or take cover with the threat of a predator. Some shrubs and trees produce seeds and berries that are part of birds’ diets. Insects live in these trees, which also are a food source for many species of birds. Twigs and dried leaves are also used in some birds’ nests as well as last year’s dried plant materials. You also can leave bits of yarn and ribbon in the bushes as some birds will weave these into their nests.
If you want to attract bluebirds in your yard, meal worms are their main food source. A number of years ago, when I wanted to attract them, I put out meal worms in a tray and placed two blue birdhouses in the yard. They found the food within the day. I had my first successful nest of four fledglings that year. Every year I have at least one pair of nesting bluebirds.
In the spring of 2020, my husband, Randy, wanted to attract Baltimore Orioles to the feeders, so he put up a feeder with a small bowl for grape jelly. It is a favorite food of theirs and, we discovered, red-bellied woodpeckers. We now have Baltimore Orioles all summer coming to the feeder. In February, we discovered last year’s nest at the very top of a large tree closest to the feeder. It was nice that they chose to nest close to the feeder. Bird feeders provide easy access to food when parents are trying to feed their young.
A bird bath is not only for bathing but also a water source. The birds in my yard appreciate water for drinking and bathing all year long. In the winter months, I use a heated bird bath that is left on the ground around remnants of last year’s plants. The small birds like the junco; blue birds and finch like to use it.
If you have a cat, please leave it inside. One cat can destroy a bird nest and the hatchlings in it. You also can encourage your neighbors to leave their cats inside.
These are some of the small things you can do that will make a big difference for the birds, and you get the enjoyment of watching them.
Good Birding!
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