With a few well-chosen amenities, it is possible toattract different species of birds. Ces garden helpers play a considerable role in terms of the balance of nature. And then, nothing is more pleasant than to hear them chirping from morning to night and to observe them. Let’s see how to quickly transform your garden into a paradise for birds and which species it is possible to invite under the right conditions.
Create a bird sanctuary garden
We are not always aware of it, but many gardens are unfortunately completely deserted by birds. It’s those little urban lots, almost too manicured, where the lawn doesn’t have a blade of grass sticking out, where the wildflowers aren’t given a chance to grow and of course where the trees and shrubs shine with their absence. It is normal that in these soulless gardensultra sanitized who ultimately have nothing in common with nature, the real one, the birds find no attraction.
It doesn’t take much to transform a garden into a paradise for birds. They must find shelter and board. They also need to feel protégés in this environment in order to build their nest and then raise their offspring. The main points to be observed in order to create a space suitable for birds and to ensure that they settle there are as follows.
A pile of wood, an old stone wall, a dense embankment or even a little undergrowth are also popular places to live by some birds.
Grow birds’ favorite plants, trees and shrubs
It is essential that the garden be the reflection of true nature and have a ecological value. Everyone can easily find something provide a preferred location for birds. The facilities are relatively simple. The choice of species is certainly important, but you also have to think about many other crucial elements, namely:
- Perennials,
- Flowering plants prized by many insects on which birds feed,
- Low plants, even ground covers,
- Spontaneously growing local herbs…
We reserve a corner of the lawn that we do not mow in order to let weeds grow there essential for biodiversity. We think about choosing suitable plants in the shade or in full sun depending on where you want to install them. People who don’t have a garden can also create a paradise for birds by greening their courtheir balcony or their terrace with potted plants and shrubs.
As for the trees and shrubs to be planted in the ground so that the garden becomes a real paradise for birds, it can for example be:
- fruit trees,
- berry bushes,
- evergreen trees,
- Deciduous trees and shrubs.
In addition to playing on the diversity and bring to the garden a naturalness, all the birds will find their account. We can crown the berry bushes which bring a very decorative note to the garden and in which the birds hide but also find food. The ideal is therefore to opt for a mixed hedge Of the nicest effect. We don’t forget to let the ivy on the trunks of trees in isolation, creating a secure universe in which the birds can camouflage themselves and find many insects to peck. Lacking inspiration? Here are some avenues to explore.
- rough rose,
- dog rose,
- Elderberry,
- Prunellier,
- Aucuba,
- St. John’s Wort,
- ornamental apple tree,
- Berberis,
- Pyracantha or burning bush,
- Berberis,
- Bamboo,
- Poplar,
- Oak,
- Ash,
- the sun,
- Pin,
- Acacia,
- Bougainvillier,
- Citrus…
It is certain, the examples of plants of all kinds which contribute greatly to the bird welfare in all seasons there is no shortage…
Feed garden birds as needed
It is essential to distribute food to the birds of the sky when the climatic conditions no longer allow them to find what they need in the wild. We can therefore intervene from November 15 until mid-February, or even a little earlier and/or later in a particularly harsh climate.
Selected food for garden birds
During the coldest time of the year, birds need to be able to eat:
- Insects,
- Seeds,
- oilseeds,
- Fat.
Logically, the more varied the food, the more different species of birds are attracted. But we absolutely must banish bread, salted peanuts, refined cereals : food intended for humans but certainly not for birds!
Prepare fat balls for birds yourself
It is easy today to buy fat balls in supermarkets or garden centers to feed these first-rate guests, the birds, but there is nothing very complicated in making them at home. It’s even a fun and educational activity which enchants children and their parents.
For this, we obtain vegetable fat (coconut, sunflower, walnut, etc.), and a bag of seeds for the birds of the sky. You can also glean seeds from nature (corn, millet, buckwheat, barley, wheat, spelled, oats, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, etc.) to which you just need to add oilseeds (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) and why not a few small pieces of apple for example or others seasonal fruits. The procedure is as follows:
- Melt the fat over low heat because it is not desirable for it to rise too much in temperature,
- Add the seeds and various fruits off the heat,
- Mix everything well,
- Distribute the preparation in muffin molds for example,
- Place the molds in the refrigerator until the fat has hardened sufficiently,
- Turn out the balls and distribute them to the birds by filling the different feeders.
Demolding is very easy if you use silicone molds.
Note that it is interesting to make a large quantity of fat balls in order to always have some on hand. Of course they keep in the refrigerator, in an airtight container. Thus, the feeders for birds emptying at the speed V, we always have a reserve available allowing to restock feeders as you go.
Pay attention to the nets in which you can slip the balls of fat. They are not the most ecological but in addition, they represent a danger for birds because their fragile legs can easily get stuck in them.
Upon arrival from spring until the first days of autumnit is important to let the birds fend for themselves to feed themselves in order to preserve their autonomy. We stop handing them food all the way. On the other hand, it is necessary continue to supply the water troughs makeshift in clean water so that they can come and quench their thirst at any time but also bathe in it as some species like to do.
Install specific nesting boxes
Nesting boxes purchased commercially or made at home are substitute lodgings which birds greatly need to feel good in our gardens. They must always be installed:
- Enough far from places of passage because the birds will only take up residence there if they can enjoy enough calm,
- To one sufficient heighti.e. at least 3 m away, so that they are protected from predators and especially cats,
- Sheltered:
- prevailing winds,
- rain,
- scorching sun.
- On a stand facing westSouthwest or South.
Under these conditions, we multiply the chances of seeing different species of birds settle, and for a long time.
Useful birds in our gardens
All birds are useful. Depending on the region, we can for example accommodate in a well-vegetated garden:
- The different tits, namely:
- blue tit,
- coal tit,
- great tit,
- marsh tit,
- crested tit,
- Willow Tit.
- The redbreast,
- the redstart,
- The torchepot nuthatch,
- The bergeronnette,
- warbler,
- starling,
- the jay,
- swallow,
- hoopoe,
- The European oriole,
- The torchepot troglodyte,
- house sparrow,
- the wren,
- Robin…
This list can be completed without any problem because it is very far from being exhaustive. But be careful, the substitute nests must have very specific characteristics, depending on whether you want to invite tits, robins, starlings or others. The installation height, the diameter of the flight hole, the dimensions of the nest box: everything counts.