“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” ~Chinese proverb~ Birds and birdhouses have always been a part of the gardening experience (examples of early bird houses in museums date as far back as the mid 1600’s) and can be enjoyed throughout the seasons in New England. The presence […]
By Shelley Wigglesworth|Sep 19 2011|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan
“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.”
~Chinese proverb~
Birds and birdhouses have always been a part of the gardening experience (examples of early bird houses in museums date as far back as the mid 1600’s) and can be enjoyed throughout the seasons in New England.
Adding a decorative birdhouse to the garden may spark a hobby. Photo Credit : Shelley Wigglesworth
The presence of wild birds around the home is a constant reminder of the rhythm of nature, which bird watching can connect us to. It’s not unusual for a full-fledged backyard bird watching hobby to result from the addition of a decorative birdhouse to the landscape. Once hooked, many backyard birders keep logs of the species of birds they encounter and take notes on their nesting habits.
Bird watching is also a source of endless hours of quiet entertainment and enjoyment. Strategically installing a few birdhouses and feeders near berry trees and/or a water source such as a birdbath—or an area where puddles accumulate after rain—will encourage birds to frequent the area. Added benefits to attracting wild birds to backyard and garden areas are that birds eat many pest insects and also play an important role in wild fruit and berry seed distribution with their droppings.
Although many birds migrate south for the winter, a number of species stay in New England. Year round bird species include: cardinals, nuthatches, chickadees, starlings, blue jays, sparrows, finches, woodpeckers, mourning doves and wrens. Providing a steady supply of suet and seeds all winter long will keep our feathered friends close by.
Today’s birdhouses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Photo Credit : Shelley Wigglesworth
Bird houses come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes. Some are rustic and others are decorative. Brenda’s Bloomers in Cape Neddick, Maine offers whimsical bird houses and industrial birdhouses. Multi family martin houses and folk art birdhouses. Simple and up-cycled birdhouses. Collecting birdhouses that compliment your personal garden style and taste will make your birding experience all the more enjoyable; and when multiple bird houses are occupied by a variety of species of birds, the joy of the whole experience is multiplied.
I would love to have a birdhouse in my yard so as to attract the beautiful birds. I love nature and it would be a great idea to get a birdhouse so that I can invite the pretty animals to my yard! I can’t wait to go and get one.
It was cool to learn about how birdhouses can benefit gardens. I like how you explained that a birdhouse can help to attract birds to your garden. I can imagine how helpful birdhouses can be for those who love birds when it comes to seeing a lot of birds.
I didn’t know that wild birds attracted to your backyard could eat pest insects. I have a big pest problem in my backyard and I think having birds around to keep the problem under control is a great, natural way to fix that problem. I think having a birdhouse in your backyard would help attract the birds and add great decor as well!
I like that you mention that because there are birds that don’t migrate for the winter, it’s important to still maintain your birdhouse. I just moved to a home that has a garden. This is the first time that I’ve owned a home with one, and I really look forward to getting birdhouses for my garden to attract birds, regardless of the season.
I found it interesting when you said that bird watching is also a source of endless hours of quiet entertainment and enjoyment. My sister keeps on asking me that we should consider installing a birdhouse in our garden because she wants to do birdwatching. I will consider looking a shop tomorrow where I can buy a birdhouse.
I never thought of getting birdhouses as a way to rid my garden of harmful pests. This tip is pretty ingenious! Gardening has been a passion of mine since my yesteryears. During my free time, I spend a lot of time in my garden. I’ve recently invested in some imported orchids and I definitely don’t want them withering away because of pests. I’d be sure to get a birdhouse for my garden, so it can attract birds to ward off pests as you’ve suggested.
I’m wanting to add more birdhouses and gardens to our backyard as part of our renovations. Thanks for mentioning having more birds in the yard to keep the pests down. It’s probably smart to find birdhouses that fit the aesthetic of our yard that we want.
I would love to have a birdhouse in my yard so as to attract the beautiful birds. I love nature and it would be a great idea to get a birdhouse so that I can invite the pretty animals to my yard! I can’t wait to go and get one.
It was cool to learn about how birdhouses can benefit gardens. I like how you explained that a birdhouse can help to attract birds to your garden. I can imagine how helpful birdhouses can be for those who love birds when it comes to seeing a lot of birds.
I didn’t know that wild birds attracted to your backyard could eat pest insects. I have a big pest problem in my backyard and I think having birds around to keep the problem under control is a great, natural way to fix that problem. I think having a birdhouse in your backyard would help attract the birds and add great decor as well!
I like that you mention that because there are birds that don’t migrate for the winter, it’s important to still maintain your birdhouse. I just moved to a home that has a garden. This is the first time that I’ve owned a home with one, and I really look forward to getting birdhouses for my garden to attract birds, regardless of the season.
I found it interesting when you said that bird watching is also a source of endless hours of quiet entertainment and enjoyment. My sister keeps on asking me that we should consider installing a birdhouse in our garden because she wants to do birdwatching. I will consider looking a shop tomorrow where I can buy a birdhouse.
I never thought of getting birdhouses as a way to rid my garden of harmful pests. This tip is pretty ingenious! Gardening has been a passion of mine since my yesteryears. During my free time, I spend a lot of time in my garden. I’ve recently invested in some imported orchids and I definitely don’t want them withering away because of pests. I’d be sure to get a birdhouse for my garden, so it can attract birds to ward off pests as you’ve suggested.
I’m wanting to add more birdhouses and gardens to our backyard as part of our renovations. Thanks for mentioning having more birds in the yard to keep the pests down. It’s probably smart to find birdhouses that fit the aesthetic of our yard that we want.