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