Indiana Bird Watching
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There are different kinds of trees, bushes, shrubs, and flowers that
will attract different kinds of birds. These plants can attract birds for
their food value, or as their value as a shelter. Birds need both
things. Below you will find a list of some of these plants that can
attract birds. This is not an all inclusive list, but it will be large
enough to get you started at turning your backyard into a bird
sanctuary.
Planting a row of conifer trees along the west side of your property
will not only increase the number of birds seen in your home, but it
will keep those west winds from blowing in so hard on your house
and drifting snow into your driveway. Cedar trees, Arborvitae, pines,
spruces, and junipers will all increase the number of birds you see.
Plant these more than only one row deep. Do at least two rows of
these trees. I have mockingbirds nest in mine all the time. These
are good shelter providing trees.
Planting some native grasses in a corner, sort of like a natural
looking habitat, will help your birds that nest on the ground have
more cover. We used to have small ground sparrows nest under the
cabbage leafs in the garden. A nice area of hastas with their wide
leaves will help these birds too.
Right behind my house there is a grove of pine trees that enough
light gets in so that raspberry and blackberry bushes grow quite
well. In them I often see catbirds, rufus sided towhees, brown
thrashers, cardinals, and flickers. The pines themselves attract
bluebirds, woodpeckers, cedar waxwings, and many other species. If
you have a corner of your yard that you can't do much with, a small
briar patch might do the trick. You will also be able to harvest some
nice berries in the early summer.
If you have a place near your porch or deck that a climbing vine can
grow on, it would be a good place to start yourself some honey
suckle. The hummingbirds really love these plants. I also have
several different kinds of lilies planted in the yard. These include the
Tiger lily, Corn lily, Asian lily, and Day lily. Lilac bushes also work well
in a hard to figure out corner of the yard.
Mature maple trees are great nesting trees for many types of birds,
and their seeds are a valuable food source for many birds and
squirrels as well. Trees with holes in them attract many different
species of birds. From bluebirds to wood ducks. Another great food
source for birds is having a couple rows of sunflowers. If you have
ever bought bird seed, you know how much birds love sunflower
seeds. Nuthatches and woodpeckers really enjoy grabbing some of
these and then storing it in nooks and crannies in other trees for
future use.
This has just been a small list of ideas for easily planting a few
plants, bushes, and trees so that you can bring more birds into your
yard. If you go with a lot of perennials it isn't that much work after
you get them established in your yard, but will bring you countless
hours of joy in the many years to come.
will attract different kinds of birds. These plants can attract birds for
their food value, or as their value as a shelter. Birds need both
things. Below you will find a list of some of these plants that can
attract birds. This is not an all inclusive list, but it will be large
enough to get you started at turning your backyard into a bird
sanctuary.
Planting a row of conifer trees along the west side of your property
will not only increase the number of birds seen in your home, but it
will keep those west winds from blowing in so hard on your house
and drifting snow into your driveway. Cedar trees, Arborvitae, pines,
spruces, and junipers will all increase the number of birds you see.
Plant these more than only one row deep. Do at least two rows of
these trees. I have mockingbirds nest in mine all the time. These
are good shelter providing trees.
Planting some native grasses in a corner, sort of like a natural
looking habitat, will help your birds that nest on the ground have
more cover. We used to have small ground sparrows nest under the
cabbage leafs in the garden. A nice area of hastas with their wide
leaves will help these birds too.
Right behind my house there is a grove of pine trees that enough
light gets in so that raspberry and blackberry bushes grow quite
well. In them I often see catbirds, rufus sided towhees, brown
thrashers, cardinals, and flickers. The pines themselves attract
bluebirds, woodpeckers, cedar waxwings, and many other species. If
you have a corner of your yard that you can't do much with, a small
briar patch might do the trick. You will also be able to harvest some
nice berries in the early summer.
If you have a place near your porch or deck that a climbing vine can
grow on, it would be a good place to start yourself some honey
suckle. The hummingbirds really love these plants. I also have
several different kinds of lilies planted in the yard. These include the
Tiger lily, Corn lily, Asian lily, and Day lily. Lilac bushes also work well
in a hard to figure out corner of the yard.
Mature maple trees are great nesting trees for many types of birds,
and their seeds are a valuable food source for many birds and
squirrels as well. Trees with holes in them attract many different
species of birds. From bluebirds to wood ducks. Another great food
source for birds is having a couple rows of sunflowers. If you have
ever bought bird seed, you know how much birds love sunflower
seeds. Nuthatches and woodpeckers really enjoy grabbing some of
these and then storing it in nooks and crannies in other trees for
future use.
This has just been a small list of ideas for easily planting a few
plants, bushes, and trees so that you can bring more birds into your
yard. If you go with a lot of perennials it isn't that much work after
you get them established in your yard, but will bring you countless
hours of joy in the many years to come.
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Bird Attracting Plants