Top Ten Essentials to Attract Birds
Bonni is our resident expert on birding. She’s been with Gertens since 2016 and an avid birder since her teens gaining knowledge through education, bird feeding, and a British mother who had an affinity for birds and gardening as well as having a backyard designated by the National Wildlife Federation. Bonni is also a dedicated reader and supporter of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the most knowledgeable bird experts in the world.
Note: Click on the links for pictures and much more information.
Evergreens: they provide shelter from the cold and screening from predators. We carry well over one hundred varieties and cultivars of evergreens. In particular, Bonni recommends…
Juniper: with its tiny blue berries that feed finches, cardinals, robins and more.
Grasses: Birds such as finches will eat the seeds within the plumes making it important to leave them up for winter and wait to cut them back in spring. Bonus, those grasses add winter interest to you during winter!
Hydrangeas: Songbirds enjoy those seeds during fall and winter.
Sedum: Cardinals and finches love the seed heads.
Sunflowers: harvest the seed from your annual plants for the birds in winter!
Chokeberry: the berries feed the robins who winter over, as well as chickadees.
Viburnum: oh, these shrubs deliver the goods. Their berries are delicious and nutritious for a wide variety of birds.
Well stocked feeders with high nutrient seed; golden safflower, black oil sunflower, peanuts (we carry in the shell and pieces) and suet.
Water is essential to all life, including birds! A heated birdbath will keep robins coming all winter. Birds expend a great deal of energy trying to melt snow in their beaks. Having a source of water will get a variety of birds to visit you all year round!
And bonus...
Old brush piles and/or your discarded fresh cut Christmas tree are great for shelter. Offer those birds pinecones stuffed with peanut butter for an extra tasty treat!
