Building a bird sanctuary in your backyard can be a fun and rewarding project. With some planning and effort, you can create a beautiful space that will attract a variety of native birds to your yard. Here are some tips to get you started.
Choose a Location
When choosing a location for your bird sanctuary, look for a quiet spot in your yard that gets some shade during the hottest parts of the day. Birds will appreciate having a place to get out of the sun. Avoid areas right next to your house, as birds may accidentally fly into windows or sliding glass doors. Aim for a spot at least 10-15 feet away from any buildings or heavily trafficked areas.
Provide Food
To draw birds into your sanctuary, you’ll need to provide food sources. There are a few options for feeding birds:
- Bird feeders – Hang feeders and keep them well-stocked with birdseed mixes, suet cakes, nuts, and fruit. Platform feeders are great for larger backyard birds like doves.
- Fruiting trees/shrubs – Plant native trees and shrubs in your yard that produce berries or fruit that birds can eat. Some good options include serviceberry, elderberry, hawthorn, and crabapple.
- Nectar plants – Many birds feed on the nectar from flowering plants. Add native wildflowers, shrubs, and vines to your landscape. Hummingbirds will flock to tubular flowers like cardinal flower and columbine.
Provide Water
Birds need a dependable water source for drinking and bathing. You can provide water by installing a birdbath or small wildlife pond. Change the water every few days to keep it clean. Some birds also like running water, so you could incorporate a small fountain or mister into your sanctuary.
Offer Shelter and Roosting Spots
In addition to food and water, birds need places to shelter from bad weather and roost at night. There are several ways to add shelter options:
- Birdhouses – Put up nesting boxes suited for the types of birds you want to attract.
- Thick shrubs and evergreens – Plant dense, leafy shrubs that birds can hide in. Evergreens like juniper also provide cover from winter winds.
- Brush piles – Use pruned branches and twigs to create small brush piles on the ground. Birds will nestle into these shelters.
- Rocker piles – Stack rocks with gaps in between that birds can crawl into for hiding.
Choose the Right Plants
Use native plants suited for your climate and region when landscaping your bird sanctuary. Native species provide the food and habitat birds in your area rely on. Here are some native plants that typically attract birds:
| Plant Type | Plant Names |
|---|---|
| Trees | Oak, maple, birch, beech, pine, spruce, dogwood, serviceberry, crabapple |
| Shrubs | Viburnum, elderberry, sumac, hawthorn, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry |
| Vines | Trumpet vine, Virginia creeper, passionflower, wild grape, honeysuckle |
| Wildflowers | Coneflower, sunflower, columbine, asters, goldenrod, Cardinal flower, bee balm |
Talk to garden centers or landscape suppliers in your area to find out the best native plants for your bird sanctuary.
Add Elements for Bird Behavior
Incorporate features that accommodate bird behavior and activities. Here are some ideas:
- Perches – Add poles, large branches, or rocks for birds to land on and survey the area.
- Birdbaths – Shallow baths provide water for drinking and bathing.
- Nesting material – Supply pet fur, yarn, twigs, or moss for nest building.
- Sand/dirt baths – Ground baths keep birds’ feathers clean and free of parasites.
- Puddling area – A shallow depression that fills with rain creates a watering hole for birds.
Remove Hazards
To keep birds safe, your sanctuary should be free of potential hazards:
- Predators – Keep pets indoors or supervised when birds are active.
- Pesticides – Avoid chemical insecticides and herbicides.
- Windows – Cut down on collisions by marking glass with decals.
- Fencing – Use bird-friendly, open-air fencing if needed for boundaries.
- Netting – Fruit crops and ponds should be covered with netting to prevent entanglement.
Install Guard Rails
Low guard rails can help prevent accidents by directing birds away from potential dangers:
- Place guard rails 2-3 feet from windows to deter fly-throughs.
- Angle rails leading away from doorways birds could get trapped in.
- Surround any openings to pools, hot tubs, or other water features.
Use thin branches or cord to create guard rails. Allow 1-2 inch gaps so they are visible to birds but not restrictive.
Create a Peaceful Environment
To create an inviting sanctuary, minimize noise and disturbances:
- Site away from loud areas like pools or barking dogs.
- Plant dense shrubs and trees to absorb and buffer sounds.
- Limit prune/yard work during nesting season.
- Use neutral tones for fencing and structures.
- Post signs alerting people that this is a bird sanctuary.
Provide Nesting Areas
Put up nest boxes and preserve dead trees and snags to give birds nesting site options. Face the entrance holes to suitable locations:
- Woodpeckers – South facing away from prevailing winds and rain.
- Chickadees – Any direction 5-15 feet up a tree.
- Bluebirds – East-facing 5-10 feet high sheltered from wind and rain.
- Owls – North to west 10-30 feet up shaded from sun.
Clean out old nests in fall or winter to prepare for the next breeding season.
Follow Local Laws
Before getting started, look into any local laws and ordinances related to landscaping and bird feeding that could impact your plans. Most areas have regulations on:
- Planting certain invasive species.
- Tree removal and trimming at certain times of year.
- Digging for ponds or water features.
- Constructing permanent structures like sheds.
Following the appropriate laws and codes will keep your project compliant and ensure you don’t impact native ecosystems.
Control Starlings and House Sparrows
Two nuisance birds that can take over backyard feeders are European starlings and house sparrows. To discourage them:
- Use feeders with weight or perch size to exclude them.
- Don’t offer birdseed mixes, which they prefer over native birds.
- Take down feeders at night when they are most active.
- Use selective nest boxes with a small entrance hole they can’t fit through.
Focus on providing open feeders with fruit and suet that attract native species. Gradually the invasive birds will move on.
Be Patient
It will take some time for birds to discover your new sanctuary. Follow these tips to give them time to find it:
- Landscape in stages over several seasons.
- Start feeding and watering right away to advertise your space.
- Add new elements slowly so birds acclimate.
- Sit quietly and watch for newcomers. Let birds adjust before approaching.
With time, your garden will become well-known as a safe haven for local birds.
Conclusion
Creating a customized bird sanctuary takes planning, patience, and commitment. But the rewards are priceless. The sights, sounds, and activity a thriving bird population brings to your yard make the effort well worthwhile. Follow these key steps to get started:
- Select a quiet location away from disturbances.
- Landscape with native plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting spots.
- Supply clean water in a birdbath or pond.
- Put up nesting boxes, brush piles, and roosting perches.
- Add bird feeders with preferred foods and continually stock them.
- Remove potential hazards so birds stay safe.
- Be patient while birds discover and adjust to the new space.
Focus on providing the essential elements birds need to thrive, and your backyard sanctuary will soon be teeming with life and song year-round. The more you learn about the specific needs of different bird species, the better your sanctuary will become for attracting a diversity of feathered visitors.
