If you want to maintain some lawn or exotic shrubs, you may also provide habitat for nesting birds by devoting a specific area of your yard to native shrubs. A patch of salmonberry 15' by 15' may very well attract a pair of American Robins or Swainson's Thrushes - especially if set against a fence or forest that provides additional cover. Juncos, Song Sparrows, and Spotted Towhees will use a similar-sized patch of sword fern or salal. We have also seen many nests in patches of vegetation which were larger than this, but very narrow. A simple solution would be to plant a strip of native vegetation about 6 feet wide along one side of your property, or around the perimeter if you are willing to devote that much space.
Woodpeckers use snags both for feeding and for nesting.
Many other birds such as owls, chickadees and Winter Wrens use old woodpecker holes as nesting sites. Downed logs are also used by many species for feeding and nesting. Another important nesting location is among the roots of upturned trees. This is a favorite nesting spot of Winter Wrens, and is also used by Pacific-slope Flycatchers. Although unsightly, please allow dead wood to remain on your property.