Planting various trees and shrubs, especially those with berries, seeds, and nectar-producing flowers, is the perfect way to provide food and safe shelter for wild birds. Ensure the health of new additions to the backyard birdscape by amending your soil at planting time with a liberal amount of Penobscot Blend^™ Organic & Natural Planting Mix. This ideal soil amendment is formulated from compost, aged bark, oyster shell, and mycorrhizae for optimum plant health.
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ATTRACTING BACKYARD BIRDS

Fortunately, it is easy to attract a wide variety of backyard birds when you offer them what they need most – food, water, and shelter.

FOOD

Wild birds rely on both natural and supplemental food sources, so it is essential to consider both when birdscaping. Feeding the birds is most important in the winter when natural food is scarce, but they visit feeders any time of year. Migratory birds require additional food in the spring and fall as they pass through the region. Nesting birds rely on full feeders in the summer.

FOOD TIPS

• Provide a variety of natural foods for birds by planting berry bushes, seed-bearing flowers, and nectar-rich flowers. 
  

• Leave imperfect and fallen fruit on the tree and ground for birds to nibble. 
  

• Minimize pesticide use so birds can count on insects as a secure food source. 
  

• Add supplemental feeders to your yard, such as seed, platform, suet, and nectar feeders. Clean all types of feeders regularly to avoid mold that can be dangerous to birds, and be sure feeders are full when birds need them most.

WATER

Improve your backyard bird habitat by adding water. Birds require a constant supply of clean water for drinking and bathing. This is especially important in late summer when water is generally scarce, and in the winter, when it is frequently frozen.

WATER TIPS

• Place bird baths in a protected location safe from predators, and keep the baths filled at all times so a fresh water supply is constantly available.

• Thoroughly scrub algae off of bird baths as soon as it appears. Clean your bird bath weekly to minimize bird waste contamination.

• Use a bubbler, wiggler, dripper, or fountain to provide motion for more significant attraction. Birds will see the sparkles and hear the splashes of the moving water, encouraging them to visit.

• Use a mosquito larviced containing Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis to safely prevent mosquito larvae in warm weather. A clean bird bath with moving water will also harbor fewer insects.

• Add an outdoor-safe submersible heater to the bath in winter, or consider using a fully heated bird bath to keep the water from freezing.

SHELTER

It is important to offer safe and comfortable shelter for your wild birds to nurture their young, protect them from predators, and shield them from the elements.

SHELTER TIPS

• Landscape with both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs to offer birds different types of shelter in all seasons.
  

• Minimize pruning to give birds denser, more secure shelter to take advantage of when they feel threatened.
  

• Plant in layers and create thicket-like pockets or corridors in your landscape so birds can move freely without feeling exposed.
  

• Supplement the shelter in your yard with good quality birdhouses, winter roost boxes, or nesting pockets to give birds more options to stay safe and secure.

When you meet birds' food, water, and shelter needs, your birdscape will soon be home to a fun and friendly flock of backyard birds.