Attracting Birds, Bees & Butterflies
Winged visitors require the same creature comforts as their human counterparts—a balance of nurturance, comfort and protection. Transforming your yard into a sanctuary for birds, bees and butterflies requires minimal effort and commitment—and the payoff is big. Plentiful food, water and shelter will encourage them to call your plot home. Whether in search of hours of entertainment or a peaceful moment, observing the miracles of nature through your kitchen window or from your favorite Adirondack will draw you into the beauty of the moment.
Whether your yard is expansive or small, planting a pollinator garden with a mix of native blooms will welcome birds, bees and butterflies. Vibrant flora provides nectar to nurture, and a tapestry of colors and textures provide visual pleasure. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar of red flowers--planting trumpet creeper and cardinal flowers will keep the show in your yard. Butterfly bushes play host to birds, bees and butterflies and provide an exquisite backdrop for delicate dancing from blossom to bloom. Bees prefer flowers with single petals—such as roses, dahlias and marigolds—as their nectar is plentiful. Bees are known to prefer yellow, white, purple and blue blooms. Choosing floral varieties that bloom in sequence will ensure bees have a food source throughout the season. Herbs and flowering fruits and vegetables—such as rosemary, cantaloupe, squash and strawberries—are known favorites of bees.
Providing options for shelter--both manufactured and organic--will encourage visitors to stay and nest. Making homes in dead trees, decomposing logs or layers of brush, birds, bees and butterflies will explore your yard in pursuit of life’s essentials, unknowingly providing pleasure and entertainment for onlookers.
Birdhouses with a variety of entrance sizes will attract different species. Position birdhouses in view, but safely away from predators’ reach.
Water features do more than elevate your yard’s aesthetics—they provide a place for fly-by guests to take a quick dip or drink. Water gardens with a pump or waterfall ensure the water stays fresh and clean. An assortment of feeders positioned nearby will beckon them to stay—and visit on their return trip if they are migratory.
Bird baths serve as statuary centerpieces for gardens and provide a spot for birds to splash and play. Bird baths should be emptied and cleaned regularly, kept free from debris, and strategically positioned to protect visiting birds from predators.
Fountains’ moving water discourages algae growth and insect breeding and provides a beautiful backdrop for birdwatchers. Sounds of falling water and glistening droplets capture attention and beckon birds to visit.
Creating a natural paradise for birds, bees and butterflies draws them to your lawn for enjoyment and helps with population sustenance. Bees pollinate, ensuring plants yield fruit and vegetables with viable seeds. Providing a natural habitat combats declining populations and ensures birds, bees and butterflies can be enjoyed by forthcoming generations.