Once you've attracted birds to your yard with seeds, they'll start hunting in your gardens for bugs, especially when they have youngsters to feed. Any insect that moves and is edible is fair game for birds. Birds need water, both for drinking and bathing to keep their feathers in good condition. But, remember to clean it out daily. If you wouldn't drink the water in the birdbath, then maybe your birds shouldn't either.
Conifers really give some of the best shelter and lots of nesting spots for birds.
But, a mixture of trees and shrubs is best for attracting birds. Be sure to watch out for house sparrows that can invade many nest boxes and often times kill other birds, such as chickadees and bluebirds. There are lots of good sources for learning about birds, including many Web sites. If you have suggestions on how we can improve this site for your needs, please send us a note.