Continued:

Shrubs are good for food, nesting sites and cover. They provide shelter in inclement weather and gives the birds a good place to look your yard over before venturing in.

Some shrubs that produce berries that birds eat are:

- Chokeberry

- Mahonias

- Viburnums

- Elderberries

- Blackberries

- Serviceberries

Some shrubs that provide nesting habitat are:

- Elderberries

- Yews

- Sages

- Alders

And finally, some shrubs that provide good cover and shelter are Rhododendrons, Mahonias and Junipers.

In the fall, let the garden stand. The flowers may be brown but the seed heads are intact and give the birds a natural source of food all winter. Also try to leave some leaves around the bases of the plants and shrubs. The leaves provide a little protection to the roots and, especially in the spring, give the insects, worms, etc. a place to be. This in-turn attracts insect eating birds. Every winter, my yard attracts some white-throated sparrows that come down from the north to winter on Long Island. They visit the platform feeder but spend most of their time scratching around the leaves on the ground looking for insects and stray seeds.

Water is essential for a successful backyard habitat. Water is not only for thirst but also for cleaning feathers. Dirty feathers make for difficult flying, so birds take great care to preen them regularly. Set your bird baths up away from your feeders and nesting areas. If possible, try to have a couple of baths, one above ground level on a pedestal or railing and one at ground level. Not all birds will stop at your feeders but most will stop for water. I've found that a bird bath will attract birds to my yard that may not stop or stay long otherwise. Birds such as robins, catbirds and mockingbirds often visit the garden to eat the insects but always stop in one of the bird baths. Remember, water is critical during the winter months too. There are many types and styles of bird bath heaters to accommodate just about every bath. Some bird baths have built-in heating elements that can be turned off during the warmer months.

There are two ways to provide nesting places for the birds: natural and artificial. Natural nesting areas can be provided through plantings, as discussed above. Artificial nesting habitat generally means bird / nesting boxes. Birdhouses will not attract all types of birds. Only birds that like to nest in a hollow tree cavity or other enclosed area will use a bird house. The dimensions of the bird house and the diameter of the entrance hole are very important, so do a little research before putting your birdhouse up. Some birds can be very picky while others are quite tolerant of "imperfect conditions". Mount bird houses in an area away from feeding stations.

You're sure to attract more birds to your yard, and keep them there a bit longer, if you follow the advice given above. This is only an introduction to creating a backyard habitat. There are many books available that offer in-depth information about this subject.