Landscaping to attract birds and wildlife is a wonderful way to provide the essentials: food, water, and shelter. Variety is the key to a successful backyard habitat. Here are some key elements to consider:
- Conifers & Evergreens: Provides shelter, nesting material, space and food.
- Deciduous Nut Bearing Trees: Provides nesting sites, shelter and high fat food.
- Fruit Bearing Trees & Shrubs: Provides food, which sometimes lasts into the winter months.
- Flowering Trees, Shrubs & Plants: Provides nectar which attracts nectar and insect eating birds.
Grasses & Legumes: Provides nesting materials, shelter and food.
More Ideas:
- Variety makes a diversified habitat.
- Provide a water source birdbath or a small pond is even better with a shallow area for birds to drink and bathe.
- Snags (dead trees) and brush piles make great nesting sites and places for shelter for wildlife.
- Backyard habitats can be certified through the National Wildlife Federation – www.nwf.org.
- Check with your local nursery for specific plants that work well in your area.
- Think native species organizations, like “Wild Ones” at www.for-wild.org, can help you learn what native species are in your area.