Bird watching isn’t something that you have to do just when you go out into nature. There are many people who enjoy birding from the comfort of their own home. However, it may take a little effort to attract birds so that you actually get to see them. Luckily, creating a bird friendly lawn is easier than you may think.
Bird Watching at Home
One of the easiest things that you can do to have birds come to your yard, is to have bird feeders set up and a bird bath where they can get water. By doing this, you can instantly increase your chances of having the most common birds show up. However, you may want to keep in mind other pets that you have which could scare away the birds. Beyond that, you can also consider the other types of plants, grasses, and trees that you have in your yard.
Planting Plants
You can use your landscape to attract birds. They enjoy having berries and other things to eat. Therefore, if you have American Bittersweet or the American Cranberry bush in your yard, you can attract up to a dozen different types of birds instantly. These bushes grow quite large and attract the most birds during the winter months when the berries are abundant. Black-Eyed Susan flowers are a huge hit for birds during the summer months. Several bird species enjoy nibbling on the seed heads of this garden favorite. It may come as a surprise to many, but the dogwood is also great for attracting birds. This tree has berries that they can eat during the fall and with one tree, you will increase your chances of seeing bluebirds, robins, and more.
Bird Friendly Grass Types
Humming birds, butterflies, and more are attracted to the butterfly weed during the summer months. This is because they are filled with a sweet nectar and other types of birds may also use the seed down as a way to build nests. Switchgrass and the Little Bluestem may be used by some birds as shelter in the winter, but they will also feed on the seeds during other months. Blue Fescue and Canadian Wild Rye are useful for birds who want to build a nest and feed on seeds.
It’s for the Birds
You can plant different plants and grasses to ensure that birds have a reason to come to your home throughout the year. It may be that they come as they migrate to other areas or they may come to stay a while in a tree nearby. Once planted, you only have to do what you can to make sure the plants are taken care of. You can easily do this with a gravity fed irrigation system and let nature take its course. From there, you can simply sit near a window and watch as the birds come to you. This is ideal for homes with older family members who may not be able to enjoy the more active birding lifestyle, but it can also benefit people who feel stressed by their day to day lives.