Hummingbird Flowers and Plants for Backyards

May 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on hummingbird flowers and plants. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world.  They are fascinating creatures that eat once every 10 to 15 minutes.  As a result, they visit approximately  1,000 to 2,000 flowers per day.  Hummingbird flowers provide nectar, which they absolutely love.  Are you wondering what flowers to plant to entice them?  I have a hummingbird flowers and plants list, check it out.  

 

 

hummingbird flowers and plants

 

 

 

Hummingbird Flowers and Plants:   

 

  • Yarrow
  • Larkspur
  • Bee Balm
  • Trumpet Vine
  • Day Lilies
  • Petunias
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Honeysuckle
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Red Hot Poker
  • Zinnia
  • Sunflowers
  • Impatiens
  • Foxglove
  • Coneflowers
  • Geraniums
  • Morning Glory
  • Hollyhocks
  • Coral Bells
  • Lantana
  • Rose of Sharon
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Iris

 

My list gives a good variety of hummingbird flowers to choose from.  Hummingbirds love red and yellow, so choose as many red and yellow flowers as you can.  The petunias in the window boxes on my deck never fail to bring hummingbirds.  So, tubular flowers are excellent choices.    

 

Hummingbird Flowers and Plants Provide Nectar:  

Also, these flowers provide nectar, which makes up 90% of a hummingbird’s diet.  Furthermore, nectar provides energy.  In additional to planting these flowers, hang a nectar feeder.  They are inexpensive and hummingbirds love them.  Red feeders with yellow ports are just what the hummingbird ordered.  To help hummingbirds find your feeders. tie a red ribbon close to the feeder.  

So, you can purchase nectar food packets at a local store.  However, I suggest that you save your money and use the ingredients that you have on hand.  I try to provide natural products to my backyard birds when possible.  As a result, use the natural nectar recipe below.  

 

 

 

hummingbird flower and plants

 

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe: 

  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 cup sugar 

 

  1.  Boil 4 cups of water. 
  2.  Add 1 cup of white granulated sugar.
  3.  Mix the sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved. 
  4.  Once the sugar is dissolved, continue to boil mixture for 2 additional minutes. 
  5.  Allow the mixture to cool thoroughly. 
  6.  Pour nectar into clean hummingbird feeders.

 

Attracting Hummingbirds to Feeders:    

Change the nectar every 3 – 5 days.  Be sure to clean your feeder too.  This will keep bacteria from invading your feeder.  See my post on how to clean bird feeders.

Set up territories in your yard, and place a feeder in each territory.  This will attract more hummingbirds to your backyard.  

Also, hummingbirds like to perch.  So, leave branches with open tips on them where hummingbirds can preen and rest.  They should be placed near nectar feeders or flowers that they love.  

Last, hummingbirds prefer to bath by flying through water mist.  Place a water mister in your birdbath.  If you can place it near the nectar feeder or among your flowers the hummingbirds will love you for it.    

I hope that you will plant a few hummingbird flowers and plants either in your garden, shrubbery bed or in containers.  Your hummingbirds will love you for them.  You may also like Hummingbirds.  

 

 

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Attracting the Pileated Woodpecker

March 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips backyard birding tips on Attracting the Pileated Woodpecker. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest member of the woodpecker family.  It’s beautiful red crest comes from the Latin word Pileatus, which means capped.  

The Pileated Woodpeckers are huge birds, and absolutely beautiful.  Because they birds are so large, having large, standing trees is a must if you want to attract them to your backyard.  If you don’t have large trees on your property, having woods nearby or on an adjoining property will do.  Pileated Woodpeckers love to munch on ants, beetles, wild fruits and nuts.  They are known to pull bark off trees to feast on ants.  Furthermore, they need large trees to bore large holes for nests.  The female pileated woodpeckers selects her mate based on the best nest sight for her babies. If it’s not a large tree with nice big holes, he can forget it.  

 

 

attracting the pileated woodpecker

 

 

Although, the Pileated Woodpecker loves insects and wild fruit, they also love suet.  Yep, suet is the key to attracting the Pileated Woodpecker to your backyard. I’ve used both commercial and homemade suet cakes in my attempt to lure this big guy.  He will visit the feeder when it contains the commercial suet, but I see him 4 – 5 times a day when I offer my homemade suet. These pictures are of my big boy eating my homemade suet cake.  The female hasn’t visited so far.  You can tell the difference between the male and female by the stripes on their cheeks.  The male has a red stripe and the female black. 

 

Attracting the Pileated Woodpecker:  

 

Here’s a few of my homemade suet recipes:  

Crunchy Apple Raisin Suet Cake Recipe

Carrot Raisin Suet Cake Recipe

 

 

attracting the pileated woodpecker

 

 

 

Offering suet during the winter months is a great way to give our feathered friends energy and warmth. It will help them survive the cold winter months.  

Also, if your goal is attracting the pileated woodpecker to your backyard, you will need a pileated woodpecker suet cage.  If one is unavailable another large long tail suet cage will work. A long tail prop is needed so the woodpecker’s tail feathers can rest while they’re hanging on the cage.  

Whip up a batch of my homemade suet cakes, and you will have this beautiful creature devouring them in not time.  Stay tuned for additional posts on homemade suet cake recipes.

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Kids Bird Identification Tips

February 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing kids bird identification tips .  Getting children involved in nature and encouraging them to take care of what God and nature has left us with is important.

So, birdwatching is becoming one of the fastest growing hobbies in the country.  There are approximately 50 million Americans who are birding, another name for bird watching.  It’s funny, people spend more time bird watching than gardening in Canada.  Many people considered bird watching to be a hobby of retirees.  Not anymore, and birders are becoming younger and younger.

I’ve been bird watching for years.  My brother is a bird watcher.  One day while I was in the garden, he visited and we started discussing the various birds in my yard.  I was hooked, and I’ve been birding ever since.  Also, I have started my grandchildren watching and feeding the birds.  It’s a great activity to do on a cold, snowy day.  Furthermore, bird watching is also a great activity in the spring and fall while birds are migrating into the area or from the area.

To help children identify various birds, I created a bird watching check list for kids.  The pictures on the checklist are actual pictures that I have taken of birds in my backyard.  This bird list identifier will help kids study and see actual pictures of the backyard birds.  As a result, they will know what to look for or be able to identify it when they see it.  Each picture has a check box, so kids can check off each bird that they have seen. I suggest printing it in color if possible, and hanging it in an area where they can study and review it.

 

Kids Bird Identification Tips:

 

 

 

I live in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, outside Washington, DC in Zone6B; however, most of the birds are common in many backyards. Blue Jays, Mallards (can be found in most parks or around ponds), Cardinals, Grackles  Woodpeckers and the other birds can be found in most backyards too.  Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Cat Birds are abundant in the spring.

In addition to the Bird Watching Check List, I created individual information fact sheets for birds listed on the Identification Check List.  It gives children facts about each bird. For example, the Blue Jay is on the check sheet.  The bird fact sheets gives kids more information about the bird they will be looking for.  You can also check out my post on How to Attract Blue Jays. 

 

bird watching for kids

 

bird watching for kids

 

Cardinals are another backyard bird that most people can find in their backyard.  They are the state bird for 7 of our states. Check out my post on How to Attract Cardinals.  

 

bird watching journal for kids

 

 

Additionally, I created a Bird Watching Journal Page where kids can document what they observed with the birds.  Print the page so the children can document every bird that they see.  This can include birds on the Bird Watching Check List or other birds that are spotted and not listed. Be sure to check out my category of articles on How to Attract Backyard Birds. 

I hope you start your child bird watching.  You may enjoy it too.  You can print the Bird Watching Check List, Bird Facts and Journal Page here.

You may also like Parenting Exchange – Bird Watching Helps Children Become Wise.  

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Beef Stew Lard Suet Cakes

January 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Homemade lard suet cakes is the topic of the day.  My backyard birds devour my DIY lard suet cakes within days.  So, rather than continually spend money on commercial suet cakes, I started making my own. Whether there are fights over the food in your home or in your backyard, you know the food is good. So, I suggest that you start making homemade suet cakes for your backyard birds.  Especially, if you want to keep them coming back to your feeders.

 

 

lard suet cakes

 

 

Furthermore, Suet cakes are a great source of heat and energy for birds in the winter.  And, you can get creative and create your own recipes.   I have created tons of recipes for my backyard birds, and it was fun making them.  Especially, with my grandkids. Beef stew is the flavor of the day.  Lets get started.

 

 

Beef Stew Lard Suet Cakes:

  • 1 cup chopped boiled potatoes (Be sure to remove the skin).
  • 1 cup grated raw carrots (Raw carrots are good for the birds eyes).
  • 2 cups of black oil sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup of oats (I forgot to include them in the picture below).
  • 1 cup beef lard  (I used the fat from my ground beef)
  • 1/2 cup regular lard if needed
  • containers to mold your mixture (container should be at least 5 x 5 so it will fit into a suet cage)

Note:  This recipe makes 2 suet cakes.

 

 

Lard Suet Cakes

 

 

  • Step 1 – Melt 1 cup of lard in a pot, and than allow it to harden.
  • Step 2 – Melt melt the lard a second time and allow it to harden again.  You can add more lard here if you don’t think you have enough for your mixture.
  • Step 3 – Melt the lard again.
  • Next, mix your birdseed, oats, potatoes, and carrots thoroughly while the lard is melting.  Once the ingredients are mixed well, pour the melted lard over the mixture. Stir the mixture so it is covered well with the lard.  (You can save a little lard to pour over the mixture once it is packed in the containers).
  • Pack the mixture into your containers.  ( I spray my containers with Olive Oil before I add the mixture to ensure an easy removal).
  • Pour the last of the melted lard over the mixture in the packed containers.
  • Freeze or place your containers in your refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
  • Last, remove the suet cakes from your containers and store in a freezer bag in the freezer or refrigerator until you need them.  (I mark my bags with the type of suet cake that I’m storing.  For example, Beef Stew).

 

 

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Some of the birds that visit my suet cake feeders are:

  • Woodpeckers
  • Mockingbirds
  • Northern Flickers
  • Carolina Wrens
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • European Starlings
  • Downy Woodpeckers
  • Hairy Woodpeckers
  • Pileated Woodpeckers
  • Black-capped Chickadees
  • House Finches
  • Sparrows

 

 

lard suet cakes

 

 

Finally, check out my carrot raisin suet cake recipe before you leave.  It’s another favorite of my backyard birds.  You may also like Understanding Suet.

 

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Suet Cake Recipe for Crunchy Apple Raisin Suet

January 10, 2021 by Leave a Comment

My Crunchy apple raisin suet cake recipe is the topic today. Today, My backyard birds devour suet cakes, so I started making my own.  There are lots of fights at the feeders over this peanut butter suet cake recipe.  So, if you are a backyard bird watcher and want to keep birds at your feeders, make this crunchy treat for your feather friends.

Furthermore, Suet cakes are a great source of heat and energy for birds.  Especially, during the winter months when insects and berries are scarce. I have purchased commercial suet cakes, but the birds seem to prefer my homemade suet cakes.  If I have both a DIY suet cake and a commercial suet cake out at the same time, the birds prefer mine.  So, I have created tons of recipes for them. Crunchy apple raisin is the flavor of the day.

 

 

suet cake recipes

 

Crunchy Apple Raisin Suet Cakes:

  • 1 cup chopped raisins
  • 1 cup chopped dried apples
  • 2 cups of quality bird seed ( I use Royal Wing Birdwatchers Banquet from Tractor Supply)
  • 1 cup of oats
  • 1 cup lard
  • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • containers to mold your mixture (container should be at least 5 x 5 so it will fit into a suet cage)

 

 

lard suet cake recipes

 

 

  • Melt 1 cup of lard in a pot, and than allow it to harden.
  • Melt melt the lard a second time and allow it to harden again.  You can add more lard here if you don’t think you have enough for your mixture.
  • Melt the lard again, and add the cup of crunchy peanut butter.
  • Next, mix your dry ingredients thoroughly, and than add your melted lard and peanut butter to your dry ingredients. Stir the mixture well.
  • Pack the mixture into your containers.  ( I spray my containers with Olive Oil to ensure an easy removal.
  • Freeze or place your container in your refrigerator for several hours.
  • Last, remove the suet cakes from your containers and store in a freezer bag in the freezer or refrigerator until you need them.  (I mark my bags with the type of suet cake that I’m storing.  For example, Crunchy Apple Raisin).

 

 

 


 

 

Some of the birds that visit my suet feeders are:

  • Woodpeckers
  • Mockingbirds
  • Northern Flickers
  • Carolina Wrens
  • Tufted Titmouse
  • European Starlings
  • Downy Woodpeckers
  • Hairy Woodpeckers
  • Pileated Woodpeckers
  • Black-capped Chickadees

 

 

lard suet cake recipe

 

 

 

Finally, check out my carrot raisin suet cake recipe before you leave.  It’s another favorite of my backyard birds. You may also like All About Bird Foods.

 

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Facts About Northern Cardinals

December 6, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on facts about Northern Cardinals.  Fortunately, my backyard is filled with these beauties year round.  That could be because the Northern Cardinal is the state bird for West Virginia.  These red birds are also known as visitors from heaven.  Because they are so abundant in my backyard, this does my heart good.  When I see them, I wonder if it’s my mom, dad or one of my grandparents.

 

 

facts about northern cardinal

 

 

 

Facts about Northern Cardinals:

 

  • The Northern Cardinal is most famous species here in the United States.  However, there is the Desert Cardinal and the Vermillion Cardinal.
  • Cardinals are named after Catholic Bishops, the red zucchetto.
  • The Northern Cardinal just happens to be one of the most common state birds.  As a matter of fact, the stunningly red cardinal is the official bird of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia
  • Only the males sport the bright red plumage.  So the brighter the better, because female cardinals love the red plumage.
  • Cardinals nest in backyards, shrubbery, parks, and woodlots.
  • They are related to the Tanagers, Grosbeaks, Buntings, and Dickcissel.
  • Cardinals are also called redbirds.

 

 

facts about northern cardinals

 

 

 

  • Northern Cardinals do not migrate.
  • Male Cardinals are aggressive when defending their nest.  As a result, they will charge intruding birds and, sometimes mistakenly think their reflection in windows are an intruder.
  • Northern cardinals, like flamingoes, use food like dogwood berries and grapes to keep their feathers red.  Luckily, I have a dogwood tree that they frequent regularly.  If you see a male that looks dull, he’s not finding enough berries to keep his plumage bright red.  (Do him a favor, plant a berry bush or dogwood tree).
  • Males feed females when they are courting.
  • Cardinals mate for life.
  • Breeding season can last from March – September.
  • The female usually builds their nest in dense bushes.
  • Female cardinals usually build the nest alone.  She uses grass, bark, twigs, weeds, and leaves, rootlets to make an open cup shaped nest.  She lines it with grass or hair.

 

 

facts about northern cardinals

 

 

 

  • Females lay between 3 – 5 eggs.  The eggs are are a whitish to pale bluish or greenish white color.
  • Female cardinals are brown, yellow and gray.
  • Females incubate the eggs for 12-13 days.
  • Cardinals have 2 – 3 broods per year.
  • The male cardinal will feed the nestlings while the female attempts the next brood.
  • Fledglings will leave the nest 9 – 11 days after hatching.
  • Parents will teach the fledglings how to find food and take care of themselves.  This responsibility usually fall to the male.  The female heads off to build another nest.
  • Fledglings will grow feathers in the fall.  However, it will take male fledglings 12 months to grow bright red feathers.

I hope that you enjoyed my facts on the Northern Cardinal.  If you want to attract them to your backyard check out my post on How to Attract Northern Cardinals. 

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Interesting Blue Jay Facts for Kids

November 16, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on blue jay facts for kids.  Winter is approaching, and it’s a great time to starting thinking about indoor activities for your kids.  One activity that I recommend is bird watching.  It’s a great way for children to learn about our feathered friends and nature.  Observing birds through a window is a great winter activity.  And, it works for rainy and snowy days too. Simply place a feeder where they can enjoy the view and backyard birds retrieving treats.

Our feathered friends today are the blue jays.  Blue Jays are large, blue, white and black birds that love grabbing treats from backyard bird feeders.  If you provide the right treats, you can keep them coming back forever.  They are highly intelligent, and will remember where you buffet is located.  Kids will love watching them grab more and more of your delicious offerings.  Furthermore, kids can learn a little about these majestic birds and nature.

 

blue jay facts for kids

 

Blue Jay Facts for Kids:

  • Love peanuts, cracked corn and sunflower seeds
  • Drink from bird baths
  • Carry food in their throat
  • Relatives of Crows
  • Highly Intelligent
  • Prefer platform or hopper feeders
  • Stores acorns in the ground
  • Lay 2 – 7 eggs, which is called a clutch
  • Their babies are called a brood
  • Lifespan is 7 years
  • Feathers are actually brown, but look blue in the sunlight

 

 


Note:  I am an Amazon Associate. If you click on a product or make a purchase I may be compensated.  However, there will be no cost to you.

 

 

 

 

Blue Jay activities for kids

 

 

 

blue jay facts

 

 

 

After observing the Blue Jays, have a little fun with my Blue Jay Facts for Kids activity sheets.   The pack includes a coloring page, connect the dot, facts list, fill in the blank sheet and research suggestions.  They are a great way to re-enforce what your kids have learned about Blue Jays.  Or, make it a part of your home school or extra homework curriculum.  You can download the activity pack here.

 

 

blue jay facts for kids

 

Finally, check out my research suggestions.  The kids can Google Blue Jays and study the blue or brown speckled eggs.  How about researching how they build their nest.  What materials are used and how they shape the nest.  Better yet, let them pick out a feeder for their new feathered friends.

 

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Unique Facts About Blue Jays

November 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on facts about Blue Jays.  Blue Jays can be found in urban as well as suburban areas.  Most people are familiar with Blue Jays.  They are rather large birds and can be easily identified by their beautiful blue, white and black feathers.  Their call is distinctive as well.  Some find Blue Jays to be aggressive.  However, I’ve seen Robins double team a Blue Jay and not back down.  Blue Jays are large compared to other birds.  They are smaller than a crow, but larger than Robins.

 

facts about blue jays

 

 

Facts About Blue Jays

  • Females and males look a lot like. They only way to distinguish one from the other is to observe their behavior.  For example, who courts who or which Jay incubates the eggs etc.
  • Jays prefer platform and hopper feeders.
  • Resident jays associate in flocks.  ( I have 6 that come to my feeders).
  • Jays drink from bird baths.
  • Blue Jays feathers are actually brown.  The light causes humans to see blue.
  • Related to crows.
  • Jays are notorious for hiding acorns in the ground and not retrieving them.  Oak trees are sprouting up across America.
  • Known for being highly intelligent.
  • Territorial around feeders and their nests.  They will chase away birds, squirrels and other predators.
  • Females incubate eggs for 17 – 21 days.
  • Males retrieve food for the female during incubation of the eggs.  Additionally, 8 – 12 days after eggs hatch they retrieve food for both mom and babies.
  • Blue Jays mate between April and July.
  • Blue Jays mate for life.
  • Clutch size is 2 – 7 eggs.
  • Blue Jay eggs are blue or light brown with speckles.
  • They have 1 brood a year.
  • Blue Jays will steal and eat other bird’s eggs.  It’s rare, but it does happen.
  • Jays mimic hawks to alert their flock of potential danger if one is around.
  • The oldest Blue Jay was 26 years and 11 months.  Sadly, it got caught in fishing gear was unable to untangle itself.
  • Lifespan is 7 years.

 

 

facts about blue jays

 

Foods Blue Jays Love

  • Peanuts
  • Acorn
  • Suet
  • Cracked Corn
  • Peanut Hearts
  • Fruit
  • Mealworms

 

 

facts about blue jays

 

 

I feed my Blue Jays unsalted roasted peanuts; and they devour them. Furthermore, my neighbor has an Oak tree.  Blue Jays love acorns as much as they love peanuts.  I have six Jays that visitor my feeder regularly.  One comes to check out the feeder.  It’s filled with treats, he calls to the flock and descend on the feeder until it’s empty.  If the peanut feeder is empty, they let me know with their loud, distinct call.

 


Note:  I am an Amazon Associate.  If you click on a product or purchase one, I may be compensated.  However, there will be no additional cost to you.

 

I hope you enjoy my facts about Blue Jays.  Most importantly, I hope that you will attract them to your backyard and watch their interactions.  Nature is amazing.

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How to Clean Bird Feeders

November 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on how to clean bird feeders.  Keeping your feeders clean is as important as the food you offer our feathered friends.  Leaving feeders up for months without cleaning them could cause mold and fungus, which leaves to disease.  Feeders should be cleaned at least once a month, twice a month is even better. Clumps of food is a sign that moisture penetrated your feeder.  Moist food can lead to mold and fungus.

I have several feeders that I use at my feeding station.  I always keep several feeders that are clean so I can replace those that need to be cleaned with the sanitized feeders.  As a result, my feathered friends can continue to enjoy their buffet.  You always want your feeders to be stocked; otherwise, your birds will go elsewhere for food.

If you’re a beginner bird watcher and feeder, you may be wondering how to clean your bird feeders.  No worries, I’ll give all the information you need below.

 

how to clean bird feeders

 

How to Clean Bird Feeders:

 

Rinse Feeders

  •  Make sure your feeders are empty before you start cleaning them.  So, you’re first step is to remove any seed and dispose of it in a trash bag.  Next, place the bag of seed in a sealed garbage can.  Otherwise, you can attract unwanted critters if you just leave the seed in your yard. Spray your feeders gently with a water hose to dislodge any seeds and debris.  Don’t use a full force water spray on your feeders.  It could damage the feeder or parts on the feeders.  Additionally, I wear gloves when cleaning my feeders.  I suggest you wear them too during the cleaning process.

 

 

how to clean bird feeders

 

 

Soak Feeders

  • Next, soak feeders in hot, soapy water.  I use water as hot as I can get to soak my feeders in along with Dawn dish washing liquid.  A 5 gallon bucket from Lowes works great for soaking feeders.  You can perform this task in your garage, driveway, patio or deck on a nice sunny day.  Also, immerge your feeders for at least 15 – 20 minutes.  Once they’ve soaked for 15 – 20 minutes, scrub them from top to bottom with a stiff brush.  You want to make sure you get into the crevices as well as the inside of the feeder to remove mold, fungus, and debris.  Use a bottle brush for tube feeders.  Using a bottle brush versus a scrub brush will make your cleaning endeavor easier.  Trust me.

 

Disinfect Feeders

  • Last, disinfect your feeders.  I use white vinegar and water to disinfectant my feeders.  White vinegar is a staple in my home.  I use it to clean my shower doors and for other cleaning jobs.  Bleach is harsh on the metals and/or plastic in my opinion.  So, I use vinegar and water to disinfect.   I simply use a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of the water and vinegar.  Cover the feeders with the solution.  After covering the feeder with the water and vinegar solution, I use a rag to wipe the solution over the feeders.  I keep old towels cut into rags, and they work great.  Rinse your feeders thoroughly with clear water.

 

Air Dry Feeders

Last, allow your feeders to air dry in a dry spot overnight.  They will be clean, sanitary and ready to be used at your next birdseed buffet.

 

Finally, if you’re going to help feed our feathered friends, please ensure your feeders are clean and well maintained.  My cleaning tips will help ensure your feeders are welcoming.

 

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Tips on Creating a Wild Life Habitat

October 19, 2019 by 2 Comments

Now is a good time to start thinking about your backyard and if it has everything needed to create a wild life habitat.  If not, you can start putting together a plan to remedy the problem.  Today, I’m sharing backyard bird tips on creating a wild life habitat.  My goal is to create a habitat for backyard birds.  However, you can work towards creating a habitat for squirrels, deer, ducks and more.

There are four areas that you should focus on when creating your backyard wild life habitat.  Remember, you don’t have to incorporate every item listed below.  Strive to make it beautiful and an area that you enjoy watching too.  Here’s the areas:

 

creating a wild life habitat

 

 

 

Shelter

  • Wooded Area
  • Rock Pile
  • Evergreen Trees
  • Brush Pile
  • Log Pile
  • Shrubs
  • Ponds

You will need to provide at least two areas of shelter when creating a wild life habitat.  I provide bird houses, a log pile, and plenty of shrubs.  Fortunately, I also have a row of evergreens on my back property line.

 

Food Sources

  • Seeds from a plant
  • Berries
  • Twigs
  • Fruits
  • Suet
  • Feeders
  • Nuts

You will need to include at least three of these food sources.  I offer feeders, suet, nuts and seeds from sunflower plants and berries from a wild cherry tree.   Furthermore, I have black walnut trees on my property.  The squirrels stay busy gathering walnuts in the fall and stealing sunflower seeds and peanuts from the feeders in the winter.

You can also plant native plants, berry bushes and fruit trees to help create a wild life habitat too.

 

 

creating a wild life habitat

 

 

Water Sources

  • Bird bath
  • Lake Stream
  • Pond
  • Spring
  • Pool
  • Butterfly Puddle Area
  • Garden Pond
  • Create a Rain Garden

 

You will need to provide or have one of these sources.  I have several bird baths and a wet weather stream bed.  It usually runs in the spring if we’ve had lots of rain or a heavy snow fall.  I love when it’s running and so do the mallards.

 

Sustainable Practices

  • Use a Rain Barrel
  • Create a Rain Garden
  • Use Mulch in flower beds
  • Reduce Lawn Area
  • Use Native Plants
  • Compost
  • Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides

 

I use several of these practices for my backyard garden and flower beds.  Mulch is used in my flower beds and I have two compost bins.  I also eliminated chemicals on my property.  I hope to incorporate a rain barrel in the spring to water my garden and plant more native shrubs.  Check your local Conservation Agency.  Sometimes, they give away free rain barrels.

Place your feeders, bird baths, waters and areas that you can observe and enjoy too.  It’s no fun working to create a beautiful yard, and than not enjoy it.  I love opening my curtains in the morning and enjoying nature throughout the day.  Check out some wild life magazines to get ideas or better yet use your creative eye and instincts.

You may also like:  How to Attract Backyard Birds.

 

 

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