Making a bird sanctuary of your yard
Ranked #13,599 in Pets & Animals, #361,858 overall
Add a peaceful area for birds and add a peaceful area to meditate!
Birds enjoy a quite area, free from dogs and cats that chase, has a food supply and some water. They will peacefully feed while you can watch and meditate if you take a few special precautions. Provide them with a birdfeeder or plants that provide food at a safe distance. Most birds don't like coming too close to humans, I would say at least 30 feet is safe. We have found that hummingbirds are willing to come much closer. Let the birds have a location they can light and observe the area before they approach to feed. That is why large trees or scrubs make a good perimeter to your yard.
Over time and once they get use to the area birds will come in closer. It is a growing situation. Everyone takes time to get accustom to the surroundings.
Over time and once they get use to the area birds will come in closer. It is a growing situation. Everyone takes time to get accustom to the surroundings.
Certain plants/bushes/trees attract birds to your garden.
Choose a few each year to fill in the needs.
Shrubs, annuals, perennials, native and cultivated plants can all be used to attract such birds. They need larger trees at the perimeter of the yard so they can sit an observe - avoiding preditors if they see any. They need flowers that produce quantities of seed, and they need water. If there isn't any in a distance think of a pond or for the near future a birdbath.Some trees that are good for protection are flowering dogwood, ponderosa pine, red mulberry, hackberry, silky dogwood, chestnut, sassafras, douglas fir, oak, and black walnut.
Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.
Hal Borland
Start with a guide - what's in your area?
Plan around what is available.
The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens
Amazon Price: $49.78 (as of 05/30/2012)
An overall guide for North America. Regionally we need to look at the bird population - world wide it is massive. Get to know what reaches you area and be in your sanctuary.
Birds in winter are a special wonder.
Looking out the windows let you watch the clear crisp sight of our winter friends.
In the winter it is best to provide a full bird feeder with harder seeds and suit. Don't forget the water. Birds need water year round. Take you cue from nature. What would be normal in the spent foilage of bushes, plants and trees are in a normal habitat there for birds. With out practices of clearing our gardens and shrubbery in the fall we take that natural food away from them. Replace it in a birdfeeder.Provide a variety of feeders at a variety of heights, locations, and within sight. That way you can easily keep them filled.
BirdFeeders on eBay
Try a variety from whimsical to practical.
Beauty from Flickr
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.
Aristotle”
Birdwatchers need lots of ways to see the birds and study them.
What is the best thing for you?
Audubon VCT1042 Vector 10x42 Binoculars
Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)
State of the art equipment will help you see what the details are.
Take a peak at some feathered friends
The key to working with birds is calm and quiet.
Maintain your equipment.
This set will work on any sight wear.
Audubon 200 Optic Lens Cleaning Kit
Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)
An added idea for a Christmas gift if you don't need it your self and you are buying for an avid birdwatcher.
There is talk about on bird sanctuaries
- 'Bird sanctuary' warning over opposition to Lewis wind farm
- The Isle of Lewis will become a bird sanctuary with no human occupants if wind farms are opposed, a landowner has warned. Estate owner Nick Oppenheim told BBC Scotland that a planned extension to a wind farm would secure 150 jobs.
- Blue Vipers, Endangered Frogs, And Threatened Birds Protected By New ...
- Conservationists are celebrating the establishment of the new 6000-acre Sierra Caral Amphibian Reserve in Guatemala, which will protect some of the country's most endangered wildlife. The reserve is home to a dozen globally threatened frogs and ...
- US bird lovers help inspire new private nature reserve in Dominican Republic ...
- But he and others are nonetheless devoted to the Bicknell's thrush, what he calls an "enigmatic" bird. This loose-knit group eventually found land owned by the family of an elderly doctor that was just a few miles west of the Loma Quita Espuela reserve ...
- Migratory storks arrive at India bird sanctuary
- Bharatpur Migratory storks arriving at the Bharatpur bird sanctuary in Rajasthan's Keoladeo National Park have raised hopes of an early monsoon this year. While the stork is the harbinger of spring in Christian symbolism, the bird's arrival here ...
In the end - you want to build an inviting place for birds.
Birds like an area that doesn't have predictor and they can feel safe while eating.
All the fancy ways to attract birds might cost a bit much for you to start. Get back to basics. In your yard or garden you need food, water, and shelter. Special plantings will take years to grow. It will be fun to watch but it will take time. Find a couple feeders your birds like. Give them some space (I've learned they don't want to feed while we watch from the deck 15 feet away). If there isn't water close put out a shallow birdbath - but change it often so it doesn't attract mesquitoes. Over the years you add birdhouses, more shrubbery or trees and of course more birdfeeders or plants for them to eat. Take it slow and be patient. Birds are a peaceful and friendly neighbor. We should invite them in.
Share your comments.
-
-
ohcaroline
Oct 15, 2010 @ 5:47 pm | delete
- Good instructional lens to help out the birds. Blessed by an Angel. This lens will be featured on my angel lens: "angel-on-assignment".
-
-
-
vbright105
Sep 21, 2008 @ 3:17 pm | delete
- wonderful information here. Lovely pictures. You did a great job!
-
-
-
stargazer00
Sep 21, 2008 @ 10:49 am | delete
- Our area is a stop over for the migrating swans. You see them in the fields along the road. Also have one blue heron that feeds at our creek.
-
-
-
beeobrien
Sep 7, 2008 @ 7:53 pm | delete
- I love the idea of using plants to attract birds and butterflies. This is great! Thanks for so much information.
-
by ebay-grandma
Never thought of myself as an Activist - growing up through the 60s and 70s the Activists took to the 'sit-ins' and 'picket lines'. Now I'm an Activist... more »
- 19 featured lenses
- Winner of 8 trophies!
- Top lens » Brass Stool
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- The Best Bird Feeders: A Buyer's Guide The Best Bird Feeders: A Buyer's Guide
- Exotic Fruit Exotic Fruit
- ★ Grow Your Own Food | Basics of Growing Fruit and Vegetables ★ ★ Grow Your Own Food | Basics of Growing Fruit and Vegetables ★
- Elephant Quiz Elephant Quiz
- What is safe to eat! What is safe to eat!
- Do You Need A Survival Kit? Do You Need A Survival Kit?
