Attract Birds to Your Garden

By Jeanne Grunert

Learn how to attract, feed and care for wild birds. In this book by gardening expert Jeanne Grunert, you'll learn about planting trees, shrubs and flowers that naturally create a wild bird sanctuary in your yard. Jeanne also shares tips for choosing bird feeders for different species of birds, what to feed them and when to feed them, the importance of fresh water and more. If you love wild birds and would like to attract more into your garden, this book is for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Grunert
• Release date: Sep 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310117930

Jeanne Grunert

Jeanne Grunert is an award-winning writer, blogger, and marketing consultant. She is the author of The Majek Family Mysteries as well as other works of paranormal and supernatural fiction. Although originally from the Long Island and New York City areas, Jeanne currently lives and works on a 17-acre farm with her husband, John, and their menageries of pets.

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Attracting Birds to Your Garden

By Jeanne Grunert

Attracting Birds to Your Garden

By Jeanne Grunert

© 2014 by Grunert Family Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Cover photo © 2014 by Robert Krausankas. All rights reserved.

Many thanks to Mr. Krausankas for permission to use his photography on the cover of this book.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Disclaimer

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Contents

Chapter One: What Attracts Birds to the Garden?

Chapter Two: Feeding Wild Birds

Bird Feeding Frequently Asked Questions

Chapter Three: Plants that Attract Birds

Chapter Four: Providing Water and Shelter

Chapter Five: Diseases, Pests and Predators

Chapter Six: Bird Watching Activities and Crafts

About the Author

Introduction: Reasons to Attract Birds Year Round

Who hasn't noticed a flock of birds soaring across the sky? Perhaps a bright red bird caught your eye one morning and you wondered what it was. Or maybe you visited a neighbor's house in high summer and were amused by the antics of hummingbirds dancing around a nectar feeder.

Welcome to Attracting Birds to Your Garden, a beginner's guide to attracting, feeding, and enjoying wild birds. According to some sources, close to 82 million peoplei in the United States feed wild birds; that's about 27% of the population. Attracting, feeding and watching wild birds provide hours of enjoyment for every member of the family, from the oldest to the youngest. For many people, getting to know the wild birds in their backyard, whether it's an urban lot or a rural field, is the gateway to learning more about the environment, conservation, and the natural world.

The earliest recorded instance of people feeding the birds is the story of St. Serf of Fife, a monk living in sixth century Europe. He's rumored to have tamed a wild robin by feeding it. It's likely, though, that throughout history mankind has fed wild birds. There's a good reason for it.

Organic Insect Control

Although you may immediately think of bird seed when you hear terms such as feeding the birds, birds eat a wide variety of foods, including insects. A study in the United Kingdomii indicated that feeding birds attracts many more birds to the backyard garden. Such birds in turn take up residence nearby and eat insects, including the 'bad' bugs that plague the backyard gardener. Establishing friendships with wild birds by providing them with food, water and shelter suited to their needs encourages colonies to take up residence nearby. In exchange for your gifts, such birds give back generously by gobbling up insects and keeping the insect population down. If you use organic gardening methods, the insects they eat won't pass on pesticides and chemicals that can damage the birds or their eggs. You'll support nature's best pest control methods.

Cultivating Environment Awareness

It's amazing how many people grow up unaware of the vast diversity of flora and fauna right in their own backyards. The most urban environment may house pigeons and hawks, sparrows and grackles, and hundreds more species. Suburban yards offer food and shelter to colorful species such as cardinals, blue jays, robins and more. Rural woodlands and fields offer year-round habitats for many species threatened by urban encroachment and resting places for migrating species.

Yet children grow to