Landscaping with fruit bearing trees such as Flowering Crab, Hawthorn, Serviceberry, Dogwood, and Fringe tree and flowering shrubs such as Japanese Yews, Evergreen Hollies, many varieties of Viburnum, Cotoneaster, Honeysuckle, and deciduous Holly just to name a few will attract a wide variety of wild birds. Spring is a great time to shop your garden center. You will also be successful with properly placed bird feeders stocked with seed, nuts, or suet. When shopping for wild bird mix, pay a little more and buy a mix that has no filler. If there’s filler it will be listed on the bag label. There are several types of feeders commercially available; tube feeders, hopper style, platforms, window type, ground feeders, peanut feeders, finch feeders, suet holders, and nectar feeders. Establishing different feeding stations will attract a wide variety of wild birds. The wild birds you attract will be determined by the variety of feeder styles and food types you provide. Most important is a year-round source of water, like a bird bath with a water warmer or small pond. This item is a real important part of your wild bird habitat.

Trees and shrubs also provide shelter and places to build nests. Cavity nesting birds may be attracted to your yard if you provide bird houses. Wild birds need your landscape shrubs to seek cover for protection from predators and a place to rest. Dense shrubs will provide shelter all year. Shrubs and trees also provide places for wild birds to raise their young. Remember the four basic elements required for wild bird survival in your yard – food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young.