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Your Guide to Attracting Birds this Summer #2

The weather is warmer and the days are longer, which means it’s the perfect season for some birding! Would you like to make your home more hospitable for birds? All it takes are a few simple steps.  Learn more in our blog mini-series, this time about…

Food

Now that you’ve provided the birds with water, why not offer them something to eat as well? It’s as easy as planting a few seeds and watching them grow into a natural bird feeder. For example, sunflowers make perfect natural feeders because of their large size and many seeds.  Birds will love snacking on any variety!

Check out our instructions on how to plant and raise sunflowers, either in the ground or in a container.  Container gardening is a fantastic way to use limited space creatively and beautify your home at the same time. You could plant your seeds in old bowls, baskets, suitcases, and even old toilets or bathtubs! Just make sure there’s a way for excess water to drain.

We all have our dietary preferences, and naturally the same goes for birds.  Your sunflower will attract cardinals, chickadees, finches, and sparrows. Fresh fruit, like grapes and raisins, attracts mockingbirds, robins, and waxwings. Leafy plants with berries, like the Black Chokeberry, serve as food and shelter for birds.

Bird feeders are also a great way to welcome winged visitors.  Our friends at Feederwatch have a great website to find the best feeder for you; there’s even an interactive feature to make things easier!

Setting up a spot to snack will definitely make your home a more attractive stop for birds to visit. Remember to water your plants and keep your bird bath fresh! And check out our Little Green Places poster for more ideas.

~Brigid Lucey

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