Creating a Bird Sanctuary

Landscaping your yard and gardens can add beauty and quality to your home. Doing so will raise the resale value of your home as well, as a nice yard can catch a buyer's eye and make all the difference in the decision to buy. Adding a bird sanctuary will create a serene, beautiful atmosphere that will be attractive to not only potential buyers, but also anyone who comes to visit. Creating a bird sanctuary can be fun and educational.

Attracting birds to your bird habitat is easy as long as you provide a few basic elements. You will need to provide feeders that offer different seeds, berries, and flowers, water for birdbaths, or naturally flowing water or gardens, and shelter and nesting sites. A diversity of areas in the form of boxes, woodpiles, vines, and natural cavities are sure to attract several kinds of birds. Successful habitats employ many different levels of habitat. Providing different foliage, water sources, and food choices will attract a diverse bird population.

Start by filling your yard with plants such as milk weed. These plants attract insects, such as protein rich caterpillars, which in turn attract birds. Also, flowering plants that go to seed at the end of the season provide a natural food source. Tall plants provide ground cover when foraging, which will make them feel safe from predators. Be sure to choose plants that flower and seed at different times of the year, so that the food source is constant. Don't forget to put up squirrel proof feeders as well, so that the other critters don't consume all the bird food!