If the quarantine and coronavirus did anything good for us, it's that we reconnected with nature.
One of the ways that my family reconnected with nature was by building a little bird sanctuary in the yard.
While the idea seems simple enough, it's not that easy. Birds are skittish creatures that take some luring.
Additionally, different species take different methods of convincing in order to visit.
Yes, some birds are little snobs. They may be cute, but still snobs nonetheless.
When we first started, I was under the impression that birds would just appear.
Turns out that couldn't be farther from the truth! & to be honest, I was getting discouraged.
That's when I bought e-books on birding and read countless blog posts on successful birdies.
I researched birds found in my area and what attracted those species to come out to play.
We even visited a local nature preserve to learn about birds and their natural habitats.
After a solid two weeks of research, we redid our entire bird sanctuary and was s u c c e s s f u l.
We now spend countless hours watching the birds and marking off what species stop by.
Oh, and our frequent visitors get names and a special place in my heart!
How to create a bird sanctuary in your yard.
Invest in quality bird food, even if it's more expensive.
Cheaper bird food is full of "fillers" that the birds would never eat. & no bird stops by for a "filler" feast.
We've had the best luck with 100% black oil sunflower seeds. It has no fillers and most birds love it!
We also buy quality nectar for our hummingbird feeder to attract those cute little guys.
Other birds, like orioles, also eat nectar and are attracted to things like orange peels. Get creative!
Strategically place your feeder remembering these 3 important rules.
1. Not all birds eat from a feeder. It needs to be placed where seeds can fall and remain for ground feeders.
2. Squirrels will eat all the bird seed. Place it where it's literally impossible for them to reach or jump to.
3. It's big enough for multiple birds. Remember, birds attract more birds. Think of it as the local hangout.
Your birds will become more frequent visitors when it's a one stop shop.
Invest in a good feeder, good food, AND a quality bird bath so they can play or drink the water.
Strategically place these things in a place that they can rest and hang out without fear.
I mean, would you go somewhere to eat where it wasn't safe to linger and had no drinks? I think not..
Don't get lazy with the bird bath and keep it clean.
Birds will not bath, touch, drink, or entertain yucky water. Would you?
Clean your bird bath regularly and refill it with fresh water daily. You'll be thanked with frequent visits!
If you remember one rule, remember that birds have to feel safe.
Relocate bushes and trees to your bird sanctuary area so that they have coverage or a place to hide.
We planted several rose bushes, hosta plants, and a holly bush to provide coverage for the birds.
Our final touch was a stepping stone so it could heat in the sun and make a roosting spot.
Research what plants certain birds can be attracted to.
Believe it or not, but the right plants can do a great job of attracting different types of birds.
Sunflowers, black-eyed susans, and daisies all attract different song birds.
Pansies, canna lilies, and other cone shaped flowers attract hummingbirds.
Look up the many different plants that attract insects. Plants that bring bugs attract different birds, too.
Supply nesting locations nearby.
One sure way to bring around birds is to give them a place to move in to.
Hanging bird houses high up in a tree or in a nearby bush can convince a family to move in and stay.
Birds don't have ESP to know a bird feeder is there. Make it known.
This is actually one of the best pieces of knowledge that I got from all my research.
A bird isn't going to magically know that you created a sanctuary for them.
You're going to have to put a little effort into attracting them to your area.
The best way to do this is to sprinkle seeds around the ground near your bird sanctuary.
Birds look down from above. They will easily see the bird seed lingering and come down to snatch it.
Be patient and expect your sanctuary to constantly evolve.
Once you get a few birds to visit regularly, you'll see that others will follow to check out the hype.
Then you'll be able to tell what species you're attracting to your sanctuary.
When you're ready for more, you add and adjust the sanctuary to fit it.
Like mentioned above, attracting new species could be as simple as throwing in orange peels.
It could also be a little more difficult such as offering a suet or raisins for a woodpecker.
Whatever it is, just have fun with it and don't forget to learn about your new friends!
How did you connect with nature?
