You don`t need a huge yard or a biology degree to create your own haven for feathered creatures. Follow these tips and, just like Tom Cottington, you`ll have birds flocking to your back yard in no time.
– To attract a variety of birds, plant an assortment of trees, shrubs and flowers that produce fruit, berries, seeds and nectar.
– Include some trees and shrubs, such as evergreens and thorny bushes, that protect birds from nutural enemies and provide safe nesting sites.
– Choose plants that change with the seasons. For instance, crimson buds that open into white blossoms in spring cover Cottington`s Zumi crab apple. Bird-size berries decorate the tree in summer, orangish-red foliage in fall.
– Mix annuals and perennials for continuous bloom April into October. Old varieties often provide more nectar than new hybirds.
– Remember the hardy native plants and shrubs, such as gray dogwood, goldenrod and little bluestem, that can supply shelter and food.
– Vary the heights of plant masses. Keep shorter plants in the front so you can see them and the birds that feed on them.
– Leave open areas, both to attract widllife and to give you a better view.
– To protect birds, avoid chemical pest controls. Besides, birds help control pests and destroy weed seeds.
– Locate birdbaths in open areas, with trees and shrubs nearby so birds can escape from predators.
– At least once a month, scrub birdbaths and bird feeders with a cloth or scouring pad to prevent the spread of disease (don`t use detergents or chemical cleaners).
Cottington fills one feeder with a mix of millet, corn and black sunflower seeds; another with crushed sunflower seeds; and another with cracked corn. To attract a variety of birds, give them a choice of food and feeders hung at different heights. –
