To help them prepare for this process, reduce the seed in your bird feeder in early spring. The amount can be tapered off until birds are able to find naturally seeding fruits and trees. You will a ttract the greatest number and diversity of birds to your yard if you supply all three. Plant trees, shrubs and flowers that are of nutritional value, such as Crabapple, Grape, Elderberry, Dogwood, Vibernum, Persimmon, and Serviceberry. In addition to pro viding food, these plants will be important in offering shelter and creating a sense of security from predators.
Water is another vital, and often overlooked, aspect of backyard bird appeal.
Clean water can be supplied from a sprinkler, shallow bird bath, or a small pond. Another consideration involved in landscaping your yard for birds is the use of pesticides. The use of pesticides will decrease insect populations, which are an essential part of avian diets. Also, once in the food chain, they ca n lead to the deaths of birds and other wildlife. For further information, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Commons West, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.