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As a gardener or Birder, planting trees, shrubs and flowers that will attract birds adds many dimensions to a backyard. Birds offer songs of delight and visual appeal. They gently connect us to the wild and comical side of nature and there is no more efficient bug patrol than a parent bird trying to feed hungry youngsters.

To attract and keep birds in your yard, there are some criteria that need to be met. First, water and food must be available. Water is easy. A shallow dish, birdbath, pond, fountain, waterfall or dripping faucet will suffice. A spray of water or the splash from a waterfall will attract hummingbirds. Food needs to be varied and continuous. Bird feeders are nice but native plants are a more consistent source and don't need to be refilled while you're away on vacation. Berry and nut producing trees and shrubs and seed and nectar producing plants, will offer all that our feathered friends need along with the bugs that mother nature always seems happy to provide. Another benefit of trees, shrubs and perennials is that birds will remember from year to year that a food source is in your yard and will return. Mountain ash will attract flocks of robins every autumn for a nutritious berry feast on the trip south.

Other important features of a backyard habitat are plants that offer shelter and nesting sites. Birds need twiggy and evergreen plants where they can take refuge from predators and weather. Small birds can navigate in twiggy shrubs safe from hawks, raccoons and the neighborhood cat while evergreens provide protection from wind, rain and snow. Transition or interface zones are areas of plantings that graduate in height from the low level of the lawn to the height of the treetops. Planted as an island, peninsula or border, these zones can offer all of the haven birds need for safety while providing nesting sites and food.

Diversity is the key to transition zones filled with a year long supply of food. Berries and fruits begin with Strawberry and Juneberry in early summer to Winterberry and Crabapple throughout the winter. Add Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries and you can nibble too. The seeds from many annuals, perennials and grasses along with acorns from oaks and fruits from dogwood are also part of the mix. Don't forget nectar-producing, flowering plants to feed the hummingbirds.

Place a birdfeeder, birdbath or some berry plants in your vegetable or flower garden to encourage birds to come into the area and snack on a few bugs. Studies have shown that birds are much more of a benefit than a detriment by eating prolific amounts of insects while visiting the garden. A bluebird house placed in the garden with the door facing southeast will be home to one of the best bug eaters.

A birdbath is another way to enjoy the birds while providing them with an important requirement. Locate a birdbath in the shade with a small tree or large shrub nearby as staging. The birds will wash then hop to a branch to dry off. Sometimes families will come together, taking turns bathing and guarding. Bathing is a vulnerable time for a bird and the branches offer security and lookout posts. Choose birdbaths with a rough interior or place some flat stones inside for a non-slip surface. Keep the bath clean and full. Also consider providing a place for a dust bath. A couple shovels of sand in a sunny area will help the birds rid themselves of mites and provide sand for digestion. They can also double as horseshoe pits..

Nesting boxes designed for specific birds are available or can be built with rot resistant (not pressure treated) wood. Design and location requirements are available in many books. Nesting materials are also a fun element to provide. Bits of cloth, twine, yarn, ribbon, hair, lint and fur will all be carried off to build and line nests. Ornamental grass blades cut into 8" long strips are also appreciated. Simply drape materials over branches and look for the items next fall. As a side note, spider webs are used by hummingbirds to build and attach their nests, stronger than steel.

Winter can be a difficult time for birds and there are a number of ways to make their lives easier. Planting a small stand of evergreen trees will provide shelter and roosting sites. A brush pile is the preferred retreat of some small birds and a retired Christmas tree can be propped up as a temporary shelter. Feeding is an important and enjoyable winter pastime. Fill tube feeders with sunflower, niger and thistle seed and low tray feeders with mixed seed. Suet and peanut butter can be offered in store bought feeders or spread on pinecones and hung in a tree. Bits of orange, apples and other fruits as well as nuts and peanuts are welcome winter treats. Water can be hard to find when winter days are frigid. Provide the birds with fresh water daily or consider buying a birdbath heater or pond de-icer to keep water thawed and available.

One last item to note is that birds are very sensitive to chemicals in their environment. Never paint the inside of nesting boxes, even latex paints can be harmful to young birds. Be prudent in your use of pesticides, herbicides, cleaners and fertilizers. Organic approaches are probably the safest choices but caution should still be employed. Do not grease feeder or nesting box poles. If this grease gets on feathers it can inhibit a bird's ability to fly, use a squirrel baffle or similar devise instead.

Providing habitat for birds is easy and the diverse transitional plantings are always changing and full of life. Plants to fit any soil or light condition are readily available at local nurseries along with birdbaths, birdhouses, birdfeeders and just about any accessory you can imagine. Not only will birds be at home, butterflies, bees and small animals will also find safe haven. Provide a bench or better yet, a hammock, so that you too can take advantage of this delightful retreat.

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