What are the basic elements of a backyard bird sanctuary?
Three elements are essential for a backyard bird sanctuary: water, food and shelter. All of these items can be natural or one or more of them can be introduced. Shelter is provided naturally by vegetation. If you are designing a backyard bird sanctuary, think about planting a variety of plants some low growing, dense shrubs, intermediate sized pants such as dogwoods and some dense larger evergreens. You may want to consider nesting boxes to provide additional sources of cover for cavity nesters such as wrens, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and woodpeckers. Unless they are a danger, do not remove dead trees or snags. These often provide ideal homesites for woodpeckers and owls. If water is not available, provide birdbaths. Birdbaths should be shallow, the water changed regularly and cleaned frequently to prevent algal growth. Most birds prefer ground baths or baths on pedestals. Hanging baths are the least favorite of the birds. Your plantings can provide many sources of food for the
