There are many steps that can be taken to make this time a productive one for birds on your land. Here we make suggestions for creating better habitat for songbirds on your land. The best way to begin helping birds is by leaving and enhancing the native vegetation on and around your orchard. This includes leaving dead trees and dead limbs for cavity nesting species such as bluebirds and particularly woodpeckers, as they are known to reduce populations of pest insects such as coddling moth. Create bird habitat Planting native shrubs among tree rows benefits birds by providing nest sites, cover and forage while at the same time attracting beneficial insect species and aiding in soil stabilization.
Plant hedgerows along orchard boundaries, levees, and irrigation ditches with native plant species.
Benefits include controlling noxious weeds, attracting beneficial insects, and providing nesting, dispersal, and foraging habitats for birds. This may be a cost effective alternative to herbicide application. Connect these hedgerows to existing habitat on and around your farm. Connected habitat patches are the most valuable to birds. Using plant species native to your area is critical for many reasons.