Attract birds to your garden .... Contd

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Supply a source of water

Garden birds will also need a water source, so a bird bath is a perfect addition, if you don't have one a large shallow saucer left on a patio will also provide a great place for birds to drink, bathe and splash around in. Ponds are also a good source of water for birds and it also attracts insects for them to feed on.

Birds get much of the water they need from foods, but they will readily use open water sources for drinking and bathing. Birds need water not only for drinking but also to cool themselves in the heat of the summer. But most land birds prefer to drink and bathe in shallow puddles and pools, and will readily use bird baths. Baths atop pedestals will keep birds out of reach of predatory cats and are easier to clean than ground-level baths. When choosing a bath, find one with a shallow slope, as most birds are short-legged and avoid deep water.

Birds are especially attracted to pools that have a dripping action; they like to perch on the source of the drip and drink drops of water before they fall into the pool. Birds are probably lured to these baths by the movement of the dripping water and the concentric ripples created as each drop falls. Several devices are available that tap into garden hose supplies to create a continuous dripping action.

Food

Obviously its important to leave food out for your birds, this is the biggest factor for attracting birds to your garden, a stable bird table is great for offering nuts, seeds and fat balls to the birds. Squirrel proof hanging bird feeders are great of feeding the birds, its also very entertaining watching them pecking out the seeds.

Dust Baths

After feeding, feather maintenance occupies much of a bird"s time. Although not fully understood, dust bathing, is a favorite pastime for many bird species. Provide an area not less than 3 square feet and approximately 6" deep with an equal mixture of sand, loam and sifted wood ash. Dust baths can be edged with brick, stone or wood to increase their appearance. (Hint: Horseshoe pits make great dust baths) The sand in dust bath mixes is a wonderful source of grit needed for digestion of food in birds.

Use pesticides sparingly, if at all.

Some pesticides harm birds directly. Others kill or contaminate insects and other creatures on which many birds feed.