by janet ashby
There are many easy ways to attract wild birds to your garden. The easiest way is to give them the food they love and a place away from any predators for them to eat. Garden bird feeders are the best way of providing food for them and can be especially useful for the birds in the winter when they can’t find natural foods.
Set up feeding stations around the garden with different species favorite foods. Finches are attracted to thistle bird feeders that hold the tiny seeds they love. Spillage can be prevented by using tube feeders which also keep the seeds dry and mold free. Enjoy the sight of the birds feeding from your home by using a window feeder.
You can buy specially designed feeders for goldfinches, woodpeckers and hummingbirds. Attract the birds by placing them close to your birdhouse in a safe place. Always check the food in your feeder daily to ensure it is dry and free from mould. Spilled food around bird feeders will attract ants and wasps so make sure you clean it up every day.
Food scarcities can occur in any season, although the winter is the time of the greatest danger of starvation for the birds, so provide food to help them all year round. Many birds enjoy fruit so you could put chop up pears and apples for them. They will also enjoy grapes and bananas but make sure you remove them before they spoil. During the summer it is best not to provide peanuts, fat or large pieces of bread as these can be harmful if carried back to babies in the nest. If the weather is colder than normal in the breeding season insects may be in short supply so parents will take food back to their babies. Fat balls can go rancid very quickly in warm weather, especially home made ones, so avoid using these during the summer.
The birds will love to drink or bathe in water pans or bird baths that you provide for them. Provide water at various levels as some birds will prefer water at ground level, others prefer water in containers above the ground. Shallow dishes of water can be placed in quiet spots for the birds to clean their feathers, preen and drink. The sounds of running water will be attractive to the birds. A water dripper will attract birds to your bird bath and also prevent mosquitoes breeding in it.
Provide a natural environment in part of your garden to enhance the wild birds sense of security. You can make an attractive place for them by allowing an area of the garden to grow wild.
For more information on attracting wild birds visit Garden Bird Feeders or attract finches to your garden with a Thistle Bird Feeder
Article Source: Article Junction Network