Keep birds in mind while landscaping

Attracting birds to your backyard can go beyond setting out birdfeeders, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Creating a landscape that welcomes birds by providing critical pieces of habitat will not only benefit birds, but other wildlife as well. It is also a great way to introduce young people to nature and it's something the whole family can share," said Chris Enroth.

"According to Cornell, with nearly 80 percent of wildlife habitat owned privately and 2.1 million acres converted each year to residential use, it is critical that we are creating bird-friendly landscapes."

Enroth says it is always best to start with a plan when designing a bird-friendly space.

"As you begin to put pencil to paper, one of your goals is to have a diverse landscape. The typical foundation planting, often comprised of yews and day lilies, fails at providing the three things birds need: water, shelter and food," he said.

Enroth suggests utilizing native plants and designing for year-round attracters. "You need to visualize your landscape in layers," he said.

Birds don't only live in the tree tops. Most species require a variety of layers during their life cycle from the low to medium to high, Enroth explained.

"You can categorize these layers as ground covers, herbaceous plants, understory shrubs and trees, and overstory trees. Layering provides cover for birds and protects from predation both from the ground and from above," he added.

Dead limbs, tree snags, and brush piles are all great sources of food and shelter for certain birds. "What a great excuse for the messy gardener. Don't tidy up the planting beds in the fall," Enroth noted. "Leave those seed heads for birds to eat over the winter.

"Instead of bagging up your fall leaves, shred them and place them beneath your shrubs as mulch. Fall leaves harbor overwintering insects that birds will find delectable and come spring your leaf mulch will become a flurry of birds as they search for nesting material," he added.

Water is another critical component to have in a bird-friendly landscape.

"Incorporating a bird bath or water garden in your landscape can provide a wonderful focal point or pleasing space in your yard," Enroth said.

Birds are attracted to moving water. Installing a small pump in a water feature will add interest in the garden for the gardener and the birds as the sound of moving water attracts species of all types. Birdbaths should be 2 to 3 inches deep and 2 to 3 feet wide with an edge for perching. Enroth recommends cleaning the birdbath once a week with soap and thoroughly rinsing with water.

"Keep your birdbath full of fresh, cool water and sit back and enjoy the sight of birds making your backyard their home," he added.

For more resources to help create a bird-friendly backyard, contact your local county Extension office or visit the Illinois Audubon Society website at http://www.illinoisaudubon.org.