Mutual Attraction
Watching birds congregate is blissfully relaxing, and birding is one of nature’s most pleasant hobbies. Why not make your garden a haven for birds and butterflies? First, you need to provide a varied food supply to attract and then keep the colorful guests hanging around your backyard wildlife sanctuary. Check out our wide variety of suet cakes, seeds, nuts and nectars that will keep your new friends flocking to your garden year-round. GHS carries a complete menu of feed and feeders. Songbirds and hummingbirds have specific diets, so plan your refuge to include tempting treats for a good mix of visitors. In addition to meals, there are two other survival necessities for birds: shelter and water.
Incorporate water features for the birds to drink from and bathe in, and make sure the water is always clean. Bird baths and fountains are a focal point of the garden and we are sure to have a style to match your tastes and budget. Birds need to eat constantly, every day, no matter the season. If birds nest in your yard to stay through the winter, you will need to supply them with food that isn’t available from living plants. Our selection of bird feeders is extensive and there are plenty of style and size options to fit your landscape and viewing preferences. Some are meant to hang from tree limbs or roof overhangs; others are best suspended from posts.
You’ll want to keep plenty of food on hand to ensure the feeders are replenished as often as needed! Evergreens in the winter months provide berries and cones that birds feed from, as well as protective shelter. Late-season seeds, acorns and berries also feed through the cold months. Bird houses offer birds a safe haven all year long, and are an attractive addition to your trees and shrubs for inviting winged guests. It’s great fun to plant a garden with a cafeteria of flowers, seeds and nectars available in warm months like bright, seeded sunflowers and fruiting trees and vines, as well as hanging baskets of brilliant fuchsia flowers near your windows to summon hummingbirds and stunning butterflies. Start small, and each planting season, increase the types of plants and feeders that work best for the type of environment you wish to create—and the types of wildlife you wish to tempt. Remember, much of the enjoyment of working with nature is the time and patience invested to get to the desired payoff!
