Throughout the winter and early spring, my husband and I have been spending a portion of our morning at the local gym. We drop off our son at school and then head into town to spend an hour doing something good for ourselves. There is a group of local residents that are all at the gym about the same time each day. Our conversations the past few months have revolved around the health of relatives, company visiting, the daily news cycle, and of course, the weather. These interactions have meant so very much to me. Last week one of the gym regulars came in and announced, “I saw a robin!” We all collectively celebrated. We made it through and finally the birds were signally to us that spring was upon us.
Birds bring joy to so many people. Now that they are back, what can we do to support them? Birds, like humans need shelter, food and water. Here are a few ideas of how best to provide birds with all three.
Shelter
Shrubs and trees provide birds with an element of safety. These plants allow the birds to protect themselves from predators. Leaves and small twigs also provide birds with materials that they can use when creating nests. Shrubs also protect birds during inclement weather.
Viburnum, red twig dogwood, winterberry and chokeberry are examples of shrubs that all help to shelter birds with the added benefit of having edible fruit. Serviceberry, crab trees and redbud are all beautiful spring blooming trees that also offer bird’s shelter and protection. Pine and spruce trees also provide a great deal of shelter for birds year round due to their evergreen nature.
Food
For most of us our diet consists of a variety of food and we each have our favorites. The same can be said about birds. Cardinals love sunflower seeds while others such as finches like thistle. A variety of seeds or seed mixes will work to attract a variety of birds.
Annual and perennial flowers both offer birds a food source. Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and asters all produce seeds that birds will eat. Birds also eat the seeds from marigolds, zinnias and cosmos. Instead of cutting these flowers down in the fall, consider leaving them so that their seeds can provide birds with food all winter long.
Water
Just as water is vital to our health, it is to a bird’s health as well. If possible, give birds a place to drink clean water in your yard. Birds are naturally attracted to the sound of water. A fountain placed on a patio may develop into an oasis for birds this summer. If you place a birdbath in your yard, consider adding a solar powered pump. Dripper attachments are also available and can be added to your existing birdbath.
The National Wildlife Federation offers homeowners a variety of information and support through their website and newsletter. They also have a garden certification program with an online application. Their website is www.nwf.org.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com.. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
