A Garden for the Birds

May is Garden for Wildlife month. Although we garden for butterflies everyday, this year we decided to expand our horizons a little bit and establish a garden just for birds. We have a feeder in garden that supplies black sunflower seed to cardinals, woodpeckers, titmice, mourning doves, and more, so we chose an area nearby and started a garden with our feathered friends in mind.

There are a few important components to any wildlife garden, including food and water sources, along with shelter and breeding sites. Our bird garden is in the early stages, but we have lots of great things planned in the future.

Water Sources: The garden is located near both the small pond and the BioWorks tanks out front, providing ready sources of water, although we would like to add a bird bath.

Food Sources: Right now, we've planted sunflowers and millet, a grass that will produce seed heads in the fall that many birds love, including the elusive painted bunting. We plan to add more sunflowers, muhly grass and love grass (both great seed producers), as well as some berry-producing shrubs - blueberry perhaps? - for berry-lovers like mockingbirds.

Shelter and Breeding Sites: Our bird garden is surrounded by fairly thick hedges on several sides, which can definitely provide shelter. Nearby are some tall trees, also good for sheltering and nesting. In the future, we may add a nesting box or two as well.

For more information and resources for creating a bird garden of your own, click here to read Jill's post over at the Birds & Blooms Blog, "Plant a Southeastern Bird Garden".