How to Attract Birds to Your Garden - a How-to Guide

Do you dream of a garden filled with the cheerful chirping of birds? Many garden enthusiasts do. But how can you make your garden appealing to birds? In this blog, our experts share practical tips to attract more birds to your garden. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, you'll learn how to transform your garden into a true bird paradise.

Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Garden

Provide Enough Food and Water

One of the easiest ways to attract birds to your garden is by providing food and water. Birds need these essentials year-round, not just in winter. Place birdhouses and platforms around your garden. By offering food in various spots, you give less dominant birds, like juveniles and smaller species, a chance to eat.

Water is just as important. Especially in summer, when natural water sources dry up, birds will appreciate a fresh water supply. A shallow dish or birdbath is usually sufficient. Don't forget to change the water often. In winter, ensure there's always enough water available, but be mindful that it can freeze and might need more frequent changing.

Create Safe Hiding Places

Provide shelter in your garden to give birds a safe place to rest and hide from predators and bad weather. Hedges, trees, walls, and fences can serve this purpose. Hedges are popular among many birds, but dense shrubs and climbing plants are also favorites.

Placing nest boxes or birdhouses is an excellent way to attract birds. Choose boxes suitable for the species you want to see and place them in a sheltered location, away from direct sun and rain. Usually, the birds will come naturally, especially if you place a tasty treat like peanut butter inside. Make sure the boxes are at the right height and not too close together to avoid territorial disputes.

Attract Insects to Your Garden

Birds eat more than seeds and berries; they also enjoy insects. By attracting insects, you'll automatically draw more birds. Our experts suggest planting insect-friendly plants. Sunflowers, lavender, and many wildflowers attract insects, which is especially important during the breeding season. Another option is to place an insect hotel in your yard.

A well-kept but slightly wilder garden is more attractive to birds. Let part of your lawn grow a bit longer and create a corner with branches and leaves where birds and insects can hide. This provides both food and extra shelter.

 

What Not to Do When Attracting Birds to Your Garden?

Avoid Chemicals - Help Nature!

While it may be tempting to use chemical pesticides to control pests in your garden, these can be harmful to birds. Many pesticides and herbicides are toxic and can kill insects, an important food source for birds. Moreover, birds can become very ill if they come into contact with these chemicals. So, keep your garden natural – it's also good for the planet!

Don't Feed 'Em Bread!

It's a common mistake to feed birds bread. While it may seem like they love it, bread is not nutritious and can even be harmful to their health. Bread lacks the nutrients that birds need in their diet. Instead, opt for special bird food, seeds, and grains.

Avoid Over-Pruning

While it's important to maintain your garden, be careful not to over-prune. Birds love dense shrubs and trees to feel safe and to nest. So, don't prune too much.

Limit Activity Around Birds

To truly make your garden attractive to birds, ensure they feel safe. Staying out of the garden as much as possible helps, as birds see you as a predator and will flee. If you have a larger garden, you can create corners where you can sit, or make quiet spots for the birds in specific areas.