Building a Bird Friendly Lawn: Landscaping Ideas to Attract Birds
Having a bird friendly lawn is always a good idea if you want to make nature ever so close to you. Just by offering birds what they need such as food and water, and a place to build nests, you will have a wide variety of birds in your compound. Small measures like planting local plants, installing feeding dishes, and roughened locations where birds can lay eggs will certainly convert your yard right into a bird sanctuary.
Well, if you are really determined to have a bird friendly lawn, this blog will explain the basics of having a great lawn that birds will love to visit and experience more birds right outside your door. Let’s get started!
Expert Tips to Build a Bird Friendly Lawn
A bird friendly lawn is an excellent addition to any home lawn, and it will help support both local bird populations and the whole ecology. With a little effort, you may make environmental adjustments that will attract a variety of bird species to your yard. Here are some expert tips to help you get started:
1. Choose the Right Plants
By adding plants onto the grass, it becomes bird-friendly. Aside from nesting areas, they provide basic comforts like food and shelter. Here’s how to choose the ideal plants for your yard:
Native Plants:
Select local or regional plants that can grow in your area’s climate and soil conditions. Native plants provide birds with familiar food supplies and habitats in their local regions.
For example, Eastern Redbuds are native to the Eastern United States, while Dogwoods are also excellent additions to Eastern US landscapes, and California Lilac and Manzanita are appropriate for the West.
Berry-Producing Plants:
Birds prefer fruit. Include shrubs and trees that produce fruits such as serviceberry, blueberry, and Holly, among others. It serves as both a source of food and protection for these plants.
Seed-Bearing Plants:
Plants like Sunflowers, Coneflowers, and Black-eyed Susans not only decorate the garden but also provide seeds which in turn provide food for finches, sparrows, and other seed-eating birds.
2. Provide Water Sources
Birds require water for drinking as well as washing themselves. Adding a water feature can significantly increase the appeal of your yard:
Birdbaths:
Even a basic garden feeder or a birdbath will do wonders. It should preferably incorporate shallow waters and be well-sanitized to avoid spreading diseases. One may consider incorporating a small fountain to ensure that the water is frequently refreshed and to entice more bird presence due to the sound of the water flow.
Ponds:
A water body such as a pond may be more suitable to offer a natural environment for the animals. Install plants around the perimeter to provide birds with a place to rest and insects to eat.
3. Create Nesting Opportunities
Birds require areas in which they can construct their nests safely. Enhance your lawn with features that encourage nesting:
Birdhouses:
Construct birdhouses by varying their designs and dimensions to fit different bird species. Make sure that they are installed at the right heights and that they are protected from the weather elements.
Natural Nesting Sites:
Leave certain portions of the garden as nature intended, untamed. Natural nests can be made from dense bushes or twigs piled together.
Nest Boxes:
Additional nesting resources can be provided through specialized birdhouses for species such as bluebirds or purple Martins. Ensure that they are kept in the right places and also regularly checked to whether they are clean and safe for use.
4. Incorporate Bird Feeders
While plants and water are crucial, bird feeders provide a supplemental food source, especially in winter:
Types of Feeders:
It is important to understand that various species of birds are drawn to distinct types of feeders. Platform feeders are recommended for small birds such as chickadees and finches, and hopper feeders are preferred by larger birds such as cardinals and jays.
Feed Varieties:
To accommodate the needs of different bird species, offer a range of birdseed types. Other favorites are black oil sunflower seeds, suet, and mixed spread selections.
Placement: Place the feeders at different heights and areas to avoid competition among the various bird species.
5. Add Perching and Shelter Spots
For birds to effectively perform their activities, they require secure zones upon which they can perch and scan the environment. Enhance your lawn with:
Bird-Friendly Trees:
It’s perfect for those looking for large trees with deep cover, such as evergreens. Birds tend to perch on them to rest, guarding themselves against probable adversaries, and scanning the environment for threats.
Perches:
Other recommendations that can be implemented include having bird-friendly perches like branches or poles within the compound. These can be installed close to feeders and watering places to afford resting areas.
Brush Piles:
Build a brush pile in your yard or leave some branches or twigs in a little pile somewhere in your yard. It also creates suitable grounds for feeding floor flying birds as well as insects.
6. Avoid Harmful Chemicals
Agrichemicals such as pesticides and herbicides can be toxic to birds, the insects that they prey on. It is recommended to use organic farming techniques in the management of your garden and steer clear of using chemicals that pollute the soil and water.
7. Create a Bird-Friendly Environment
Reduce grass Area:
Consider eliminating a significant amount of your normal water-intensive grass and replacing it with native plants. Lawns have less habitat value than gardens with a mix of plants.
Encourage Biodiversity:
To attract as many birds as possible, it is best to introduce a variety of plants and elements. The diversity of bird species suggests that the more elements present in a given location, the more birds it will support.
Year-Round Care:
Make sure your bird-friendly features change as the seasons do. Clean feeders, replace water supplies and trim back plants to ensure they can continue to provide for birds.
Conclusion
A bird friendly lawn helps you create a better habitat for your lawn while also benefiting local birds. When choosing plants, water supplies, nesting areas, and feeders, you can attract a wide range of birds to your yard. These bird friendly landscaping suggestions will help turn your yard into a bird sanctuary, regardless of how experienced you are at watching birds.
If you do not feel up to the job of creating and implementing a green lawn, hiring a professional lawn care service provider is an excellent option. Begin building a bird-friendly backyard design as soon as possible.
At Eye Candy Lawn Care Service LLC, we specialize in the ultimate guide to seasonal lawn equipment maintenance. For more expert advice and professional services, visit Atlanta, Lawn Care or contact us to schedule a consultation. Don’t miss our next blog on “Low-Water Landscaping: How to Design a Xeriscape Yard” for more helpful insights.
