Don’t you remember being captivated as a kid watching a pair of birds build a nest in your backyard? Maybe you were even lucky enough to climb their tree and peek into their nest. (Good thing your Mom never found out!)
Or… perhaps you’ve never experienced this. Well, it’s not too late. You don’t want to miss one of the great wonders of life on this planet. The concentrated effort and patience and exuberance of a bird’s little life is a true wonder!
Actually, attracting birds to your yard benefits you in many practical ways as well:
Increased property values. Attractive, established landscaping is highly desirable… translating into hard cash. This is what you can expect when you design your landscape to attract birds. It always results in a natural garden, with a good balance of trees, shrubs, flowers, lawn, and water elements.
Soil conservation.
Most of the plants that attract birds – like trees, shrubs, and some flowers – also help retain soil and reduce soil erosion. Even the fruits and leaves that fall to the ground provide organic sources of compost and mulch, adding nutrients to the soil.
Natural insect control.
Some birds prefer insects instead of seeds. Beetles, sowbugs, mosquitoes, gnats… these are just tasty appetizers! Birds play an integral role in maintaining a healthy garden… along with organic, natural pesticides and proper mulching and watering.
Energy conservation.
Well, thought-out landscaping translates directly to lower energy bills. Careful placement of trees and shrubs that attract birds not only provides them with shelter but also protects your home from the elements.
Birdwatching.
Did you know that it’s one of the most popular hobbies in the United States? Probably because it’s can be a family activity… you spend quality time outdoors with your family, teaching your children how to enjoy and appreciate nature. Even if it’s just you and some friends, you’re outdoors. It’s really fun to spot new birds species and add them to your journal. Some folks have counted as many as 190 different species visiting their yards!
Child development.
A natural bird garden also makes an interesting place for children to play. It can nurture a lifelong love of nature, conservation, and wildlife. Your child becomes a more rounded individual by doing more than just sitting in front of a computer… or the television.
Wildlife photography.
You don’t need fancy, professional equipment. Most of the fun is being outdoors and discovering the wildlife. (Now if they would just hold still.) Of course, this also feeds another huge hobby… scrapbooking. You’ve got to do something with all those pictures, right?
Natural beauty.
While not necessarily a practical benefit, it’s a cornerstone in stress relief. A bird garden is a naturally beautiful spot, inducing a natural state of mind… relaxed, stress-free, happy.
So, improve your quality of life by creating a nature-filled landscape that includes birds.
This is pretty easy to do:
Provide trees and shrubs for shelter and nesting
Provide food with feeders and certain plants
Provide water with fountains and birdbaths
Provide birdhouses and nesting boxes
With a little planning, you and your family and friends can enjoy all the benefits from actively inviting birds to be a part of your landscape… and your life!
And you don’t have to climb a tree, either. Just use your binoculars!
