| For those bird lovers who love birds and would | | | | from rain, heavy storms, and harsh winds. |
| like to have more of them in their garden, there | | | | Is There A Place Where I Can Raise A Family? |
| are some easy steps they can take to attract | | | | During the breeding season, this is one of the |
| birds all year round. First you have to realize that | | | | primary features that birds are looking for. They |
| birds need and look for certain things in the | | | | are looking for a place where they can settle |
| environment before they will set up a nest. Give it | | | | down for a while with their partner and raise their |
| these things and your garden will never lack for | | | | young ones. Depending on the birds you are trying |
| birds. | | | | to attract to your garden, you can plant the |
| When a bird is making a decision to live in or visit | | | | appropriate trees, shrubs, hedges, and so on |
| your garden sanctuary, it is basically asking itself | | | | where they would normally nest if they were in |
| these questions. And will make its decision based | | | | the wild. If you are more ambitious, you can buy |
| on it's instinct. | | | | or build them a custom birdhouse which will meet |
| Where Can I Hide? | | | | all of their housing needs. |
| In the average cityscape, birds have one major | | | | Is There Plenty Of Food And Water Nearby? |
| predator - cats. Domesticated and homeless cats | | | | Natural food sources are the best. Birds will look |
| kill millions of birds throughout the U.S. every year. | | | | for their natural food sources before attempting |
| Additional predators include other birds such as | | | | other foods. So find out the natural types of |
| owls, hawks, and falcons. We also can't forget | | | | foods that your birds of choice like and populate |
| predators such as snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and | | | | your garden with them. In the winter time when |
| chipmunks. | | | | the natural food sources have dried out and birds |
| So one of the first things a bird is asking itself is | | | | are having a hard time scrounging up food, bird |
| "where can I find cover" to hide and protect | | | | feeders can be their friend. Populate a bird feeder |
| myself from predators? You can help the bird | | | | with seeds, suet, and other alternative food |
| make the decision to choose your yard by putting | | | | choices that you know they would enjoy. And |
| up cat proof fencing. You can also plan your | | | | don't forget water. Birds love and need water and |
| garden so that it has widely spaced open areas to | | | | a birdbath will do wonders to attract birds to your |
| deny cover for predator where they can mount | | | | yard, In colder climates, an added investment of a |
| a sneak attack. | | | | few dollars to buy a heated birdbath will pay great |
| Is There Available Shelter? | | | | dividends in the winter months. |
| Evergreens and other bushes planted against | | | | A bird's life is fragile and their existence is fraught |
| garden and house walls provide a natural shelter | | | | with danger for nearly all of their lives. The more |
| to shield birds from rain. You can also place a | | | | you can do to help them beat the odds the |
| combination bird house and bird feeder in the | | | | better for them and the better for you as you |
| garden which not only supplies food, but includes a | | | | enjoy their presence all year round. |
| pitched top and side walls that can protect them | | | | |