Attracting Birds to the Garden

<h1>Attracting Birds to the Garden</h1>Author: <a title="Queensoccer" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/queensoccer/51785.htm">Queensoccer</a> A gardener's relationship with birds is one of mutual benefit. The gardener provides for a few of the birds basic needs, and the birds help to keep down the insect population while treating us to an unending source of entertainment. Birds take their role as insect predator seriously. A single bird will gulp down 500 to 1,000 insects in an afternoon. Birds have four primary needs: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise a family. As you'll see, these needs are easily met. Food Two types of seeds, white proso millet and black oil sunflower seeds, will attract most common seed-eating birds. These two seeds should be the mainstay in your feeders. To broaden the diversity of birds visiting your feeders, add species-specific seeds such as red proso millet, black- and gray-striped sunflower seeds, Niger thistle (for goldfinches, pine siskins and purple finches), milo and peanut kernels (for chickadees and white tufted titmice). Beef suet helps birds maintain their body heat in cold weather. Hang plastic mesh bags of suet or pinecones dipped in melted suet from tree limbs. Woodpeckers are particularly appreciative of this treat. Deadheading, or removing spent blossoms, is the easiest way to keep plants blooming. Annuals especially will benefit from a periodic deadheading. Flowers are just there to produce seed. Once the plant sets seed, it has no more reason to produce flowers. Many perennial flowers will also rebloom if deadheaded. Exceptions are perennials that bloom on a single tall flower stalk, like astilbe or iris and perennial flowers that need a chilling period to set their flower buds. Water An ideal water source for birds should be about three inches deep and three feet off the ground. Motion and sound will grab a bird's attention. You can create moving water by suspending a leaky container from a branch over a birdbath. Fountains and waterfalls are favorite hangouts for songbirds, and misters place in the plants near your birdbath will attract a variety of feathered visitors. Shelter Birds need shelter to protect them from the elements and allow them to hide from predators. Dense, twiggy shrubs and evergreens are the shelter of choice for most birds. Nesting Sites Different species of birds have different nesting requirements, and you can find ready-made bird houses or build-it-yourself plans for almost every species of bird. Choose birdhouses that are weather resistant and have a pitched roof to shed rain. There should be holes in the sides and bottom for ventilation and drainage. A hinged or removable roof is a bonus for you because it makes cleaning much easier. The birdhouse should be cleaned after each nesting season. When hanging your birdhouse, position the entrance hole away from prevailing winds.About the Author: <a href="http://cactuslover.blogspot.com">Cactus Lover</a> 
- Blog about cacti and succulent 
<a href="http://www.queensoccer.com">Queensoccer</a> 
- Online Soccer Jersey Shop 
<a href="http://www.worldofflower.net">World of flower</a> Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/attracting-birds-to-the-garden-539807.html" title="Attracting Birds to the Garden">Attracting Birds to the Garden</a>

A gardener's relationship with birds is one of mutual benefit. The gardener provides for a few of the birds basic needs, and the birds help to keep down the insect population while treating us to an unending source of entertainment. Birds take their role as insect predator seriously. A single bird will gulp down 500 to 1,000 insects in an afternoon.

Birds have four primary needs: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise a family. As you'll see, these needs are easily met.

Food

Two types of seeds, white proso millet and black oil sunflower seeds, will attract most common seed-eating birds. These two seeds should be the mainstay in your feeders. To broaden the diversity of birds visiting your feeders, add species-specific seeds such as red proso millet, black- and gray-striped sunflower seeds, Niger thistle (for goldfinches, pine siskins and purple finches), milo and peanut kernels (for chickadees and white tufted titmice).

Beef suet helps birds maintain their body heat in cold weather. Hang plastic mesh bags of suet or pinecones dipped in melted suet from tree limbs. Woodpeckers are particularly appreciative of this treat.

Deadheading, or removing spent blossoms, is the easiest way to keep plants blooming. Annuals especially will benefit from a periodic deadheading. Flowers are just there to produce seed. Once the plant sets seed, it has no more reason to produce flowers.

Many perennial flowers will also rebloom if deadheaded. Exceptions are perennials that bloom on a single tall flower stalk, like astilbe or iris and perennial flowers that need a chilling period to set their flower buds.

Water

An ideal water source for birds should be about three inches deep and three feet off the ground. Motion and sound will grab a bird's attention. You can create moving water by suspending a leaky container from a branch over a birdbath. Fountains and waterfalls are favorite hangouts for songbirds, and misters place in the plants near your birdbath will attract a variety of feathered visitors.

Shelter

Birds need shelter to protect them from the elements and allow them to hide from predators. Dense, twiggy shrubs and evergreens are the shelter of choice for most birds.

Nesting Sites

Different species of birds have different nesting requirements, and you can find ready-made bird houses or build-it-yourself plans for almost every species of bird. Choose birdhouses that are weather resistant and have a pitched roof to shed rain. There should be holes in the sides and bottom for ventilation and drainage. A hinged or removable roof is a bonus for you because it makes cleaning much easier. The birdhouse should be cleaned after each nesting season.

When hanging your birdhouse, position the entrance hole away from prevailing winds.

Cactus Lover
- Blog about cacti and succulent

Queensoccer
- Online Soccer Jersey Shop

World of flower

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/attracting-birds-to-the-garden-539807.html

Article Tags: Home Garden, House Gardening, Birdhouse In Garden, Relax Gardening

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

Attracting Birds to Your Garden

Play

How to Photograph Garden Birds

Play

Bird Watch from Your Own Backyard

Play

How to Attract Birds to Your Garden

Play

How To Choose the Right Bird Feeder

Latest Gardening Articles
More from Queensoccer

Hydroponic Gardening - What is It?

By: David P Lee | 11/11/2009
There is no doubt that the average horticulturalist and gardening is used to getting dirty. After all, they are constantly rooting around in soil, applying pesticides and fertilizers. They often plant, divide, and plant again. They do this so they can see and eat the nutritious and lovely plants they've...

Horticultural Successes for Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco

By: Business Local Listings | 11/11/2009
Specific factors such as the use (or avoidance of use) of pesticide was a key factor in the county's success in agriculture. The locally funded Hillsborough County program led the promotion of safe and environmentally sound pesticide use and disposal. The collection and proper disposal of unused pesticides (since its ban) was conducted throughout the county and results of the program indicated less health risks for the community and farmers, and more

Basics of Growing Herbs in Containers

By: Vicky Josephino | 11/11/2009
Whether you need pots to landscape your garden or to care for your herb plants indoors, here are tips on how you can do container gardening the right way. Learn the tips, tricks, and practicality of using containers for your plants.

Organic Rose Gardening Tips

By: Roxy Hebert | 11/11/2009
Organic rose gardening takes effort, but is really worth the time. Roses are like women - they can be a tiny fussy on occassion , but with the proper tender loving care they can add beauty and grace to too any situation. Many people are misled into assuming that growing something organically essentially means no chemicals are made use of. That's's true but there actually is a little more to it than that. Although roses have developed a reputation for being fussy, the fact of the si...

Caring For Your Lawn This Fall

By: Business Local Listings | 11/11/2009
The end of summer does not mean the end of your lawn's need for extra nurturing. In fact, fall is a good time to provide your lawn with the much needed fertilizer supplement, and weed control solutions. The leaves on your trees and shrubs may start turning brown, but it should not mean you let the coarse of nature take over passively. Though places like Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco, along with other areas in Florida, do not feel what others would call a full blown fall season

Potting Shed Plans; Do you Need Them?

By: Peter Dougan | 10/11/2009
My wife is really big time into her flower hobby. She has collected more gardening tools over the years than I could ever imagine. The piles of flower pots and bags of fertilizers she has to make her flowers grow is simply staggering. There was so much of that stuff filling up every nook and cranny of my garage I decided that I would start looking on the Internet for a set of potting shed plans. It would soon be her birthday and I thought that I could really make her happy if I could find a set.

Wooden Climbing Frame And Children

By: Thomas Gee | 10/11/2009
All wooden climbing frame types come with guarantees. There are many available to choose from. Such as some with low levels, some with platforms, and some with towers. Some are indicative of type like, Fort, Barn, Villa, Mansion, Chalet, and Barrack. Also there are the Hut, Club, Cottage, Cubby, Cabin, and lodge.

Elements of an Appropriate Home Pest Control Las Vegas and Pest Control Saint George Approach

By: beyli | 10/11/2009
An effective home pest control program is not as easy to organize as it seems. It definitely takes more than just spraying a solution over your property. Before you even think of pest management, you need to be aware of its important elements.

Sunburn Treatment & Prevention

By: Queensoccer | 18/08/2009 | Skin Care
Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. You can be sunburned on a cloudy or overcast day as well as a clear sunny day.

Steven Gerrard - Hero of Liverpool

By: Queensoccer | 07/04/2009 | Soccer
Steven George Gerrard started out playing for hometown team Whiston Juniors, where he was noticed by Liverpool scouts. He joined the Reds' youth academy at the age of nine. He signed his first professional contract with Liverpool on 5 November 1997.

Choose Hair Style for Your Face

By: Queensoccer | 30/09/2008 | Hair Loss
Even though you may love the latest celebrity hair style, it might not be the right hair style for your face. The shape of your face and the proportions of your features will help tell you what hairstyle is best suited to you.

Fifa World Cup Trophy

By: Queensoccer | 19/09/2008 | Soccer
The World Cup is a gold trophy that is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, two trophies have represented victory: the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy from 1974 to the present day.

Attracting Birds to the Garden

By: Queensoccer | 28/08/2008 | Gardening
A gardener's relationship with birds is one of mutual benefit. The gardener provides for a few of the birds basic needs, and the birds help to keep down the insect population while treating us to an unending source of entertainment. Birds take their role as insect predator seriously. A single bird will gulp down 500 to 1,000 insects in an afternoon.

Star (football Crest) on the Shirt- What Does it Mean???

By: Queensoccer | 18/03/2008 | Soccer
n football (soccer), some national and club sides include one or more stars as part of (or beside) the crest appearing on their shirt, to represent important trophies the team has previously won. Sometimes this is a unilateral decision by the team concerned rather than a privilege earned and sanctioned by any governing body.