Many people love feeding birds and are looking for various types of bird feeders. If you are one of them, you should think of ways to attract as many different species as you can to your garden or yard and make some new winged friends. It is not as difficult as you think. All you have to do is set up your outdoor space in the best possible way to attract these beautiful creatures.

Use Different Feeders and Locations

All birds do not feed in the same way so you should make sure that you use various types of bird feeders. For example, you should consider mixing up open feeders with perches or trays, nectar feeders, mesh socks, jelly feeders, and suet feeders to attract a wide range of different bird species. You should also keep in mind that you will attract more birds by using more natural looking feeders.

Different bird species will also have different preferences when it comes to the placement of bird feeders. There are some birds that prefer feeders that are placed higher up while others prefer them to be placed lower down. So you should make sure that you check the feeding preferences of different birds and place your feeders in the best places.

If you have any doubts, place your feeders in a higher position as this is the preferred feeding place for most birds because it keeps them safe from various predators such as cats and so on.

Use High Quality Bird Seed

You should never use cheap bird seed mixes when it comes to food sources for the birds. Many of them contain milo, which many birds do not find appealing and will probably leave without touching. The end result is that the birds will go to another place to find food and your plan to attract birds to your garden or yard will be unsuccessful.

Therefore, it is a judicious idea to always pay for fantastic bird seed if you have the budget to do so.

Different bird species prefer different types of food.  So when you are considering how to attract birds, you need to think about what type of birds you want to attract. When you have made your choice, use the best seed you can afford to attract them. For example, small birds prefer millet the most while larger birds favor cracked corn as it is a typical food that they eat out in the wild.

Do not Forget Other Sources of Food

You should not forget about natural food sources when feeding birds to attract them to your garden or yard. Apart from having bird feeders, you should also have natural sources of food like fruit trees and other shrubs and plants that attract birds. Shrubs that produce berries in particular are a fabulous natural source of food for many birds.

You should also keep in mind that birds feed on insects, so make sure that you do not remove insects from your outdoors by using pesticides or insecticides. You should consider placing some dead wood in different parts of your garden or yard if there is space.

This will act as a place for insects to thrive and therefore act as a good source of food for birds. You can place the dead logs of wood discreetly and keep them out of sight if you are worried about how your garden or yard looks to people.

Provide Fresh Clean Water

When you are considering how to attract birds to your garden, providing them with a good source of fresh clean water is one of the most important things you could do, after providing food. Water is important as it not only provides birds with something to drink, but also allows them to bathe and remove parasites from their bodies, as well as preen. Additionally, it provides them with a way to cool themselves on hot summer days.

There are a number of different ways to provide water to birds. Bird baths, watering trays, misters, waterfalls, and ponds are all wonderful ways to give birds a source of clean water.

Provide Nesting and Housing Opportunities

Another way to attract birds is to add bird houses and other opportunities for nesting to your garden. Bird houses are not only a standout way to decorate your garden or yard; they also provide a safe roosting and nesting haven for birds. There are many different types of bird houses, so you should think about the type of birds you want to attract and then select the appropriate bird house.

Planting trees, hedges, and bushes and shrubs is also an excellent idea as it gives birds a natural place to nest. If possible, provide a different range of heights, e.g. taller trees at the back with hedges and smaller trees placed after them and then shrubs and bushes.

With these basic tips, you can make sure that you attract the birds you want to your garden and yard and fill your outdoor space with the music they produce. You can enjoy cheery chirpings all day and have the most beautiful creatures flitting about in your garden. You will also be playing a vital conservational role in restoring balance to the ecosystem.

Would you like to know how to make your backyard dog friendly? As spring and summer draw closer, many pet owners are getting ready for some much-needed lawn maintenance. A lot of problems were probably caused by the dog – jumping, destructive digging, and pooping take their toll on yards with grass. Most homes are not what pet owners would call dog-friendly, with low fences, potentially poisonous plants, and exposed dirt that can easily be dug up to make a mess of things.

And who wants a dog tracking in all that dirt into your home?

It is vital for any pet with high exercise needs to have a dog-friendly backyard. When they spend time outdoors, pets receive mental stimulation which in turn helps in preventing dog depression and other behaviors that can cause problems. There are many ways that you can create a low-maintenance, dog-friendly backyard. Here is a look at some examples to inspire you.

A Personal Fire Hydrant for Your Pup – You can make your backyard perfect for your pup by adding his very own fire hydrant. You can add it to your existing yard. You can replace mud with gravel, as well as cedar chips which are dog-friendly, make for a terrific potty space and brighten up the area!

Doggy Pool – Adding a small water feature for your pooch is fantastic for pets that are aquatically-inclined! You can let your pet dive off the deep end by adding a small jumping area and provide easy access to get in and out of his pool. There are many ways to add this feature, depending on your space and budget. You can get a cheap play pool or dig out a small pool or pond in your backyard.

Puppy Portholes – Is your dog a people-watcher? Does he love to watch the world go by? You can go ahead and indulge his habit by installing a porthole in your fence. All you need to do is insert a panel or bubble made of Plexiglas. It will help in reducing your pup’s separation anxiety and also prevent digging and other destructive behaviors.

Sandbox for Your Pooch – A doggy sandbox is a fantastic addition to your backyard as it can serve one of two purposes – a digging heaven or poop patch. A designated area for potty business helps in protecting your grass and ensures that you walk safely in your yard. If your doggy is a champion digger, you should install a small fence around the sandbox to make sure that dirt is kept in place.

River of Rock – The most destructive dogs are the ones that dig. You can prevent them from making a mess of your yard by placing a border made of bricks or rocks around fences. You can also bury chicken wire in the soil under the fence. This will deter destructive diggers and escape artists from ruining your yard. Rock gardens and stone rivers are attractive ways to keep your pooch from digging under the fence.

Do-it-yourself Dog House – If your pet is an outdoorsy one, what you need is a dog house. You can find custom dog houses to give your pet a place to call his own. There are also a variety of other amazing options for a custom-designed dog house. You can also design and build one from scratch for your favorite furry friend. There are books and blueprints that you can use to get ideas.

Find a suitable carpenter, start cutting and designing away. Make sure it is screwed and glued! The only limit is your imagination.

Backyard Obstacle Course – If you have space to spare in your backyard, you should definitely create an obstacle course for your dog. This is popular among pet owners, and active pooches love them! Think you need expensive equipment for this? Not at all! There are plenty of items that you can use without spending any money – old tires, trash cans, PVC pipes, scrap wood and more can all be used to create your backyard obstacle course. Freshen up the equipment with some paint and your yard will be set to challenge your furry friend.

Social Space – If you have multiple dogs in your household or have a lot of playmates with other dogs, a marvelous idea is to build a small doggy park in your backyard. Your pet can use it to socialize with his friends. A play pool, low maintenance park and shade are the things that pets need to enjoy their time with other doggies. To cut costs, you can build your backyard dog park on an existing fence, like a corner, and you will have an awesome social space for your pet!

As you can see, there are many marvelous ways to make your backyard more dog-friendly. You do not need to spend a lot of money on it either! You also make sure that you protect your backyard or lawn from any destructive habits that your pet may have, such as digging. With a little creativity, the right materials, and tools and a little elbow grease, you can create the outdoor space that your doggy needs to have a stellar time at home.