Create a Safe Haven for Birds in Your Garden
Hello gardeners!
Gardens are more than just beautiful landscapes—they are lifelines for birds facing environmental challenges. By focusing on food, shelter, and safety, you can create a resilient refuge for local birds, ensuring they continue to thrive despite a changing climate.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Impacts Garden Birds
Climate change is altering bird migration patterns, food availability, and nesting success. Warmer winters have led to year-round residency for species like Anna’s hummingbird, while erratic weather patterns disrupt breeding cycles. Prolonged droughts reduce insect populations, a critical protein source for baby birds, and intense storms destroy nests.
Offer a Buffet of Food Sources Each Season
A green, well-stocked garden is a magnet for birds year-round. The key is to offer a variety of natural food sources that sustain them through changing seasons.
Plant fruit-bearing trees, shrubs and ground covers. In my garden the birds enjoy cherries, blueberries, strawberries and grapes. In autumn, dogwoods provide essential nourishment for migratory birds.
Seeds and nuts: Some birds extract seeds from cone-bearing trees, while sunflowers, native grasses and perennial seed pods offer additional food sources. If you don't have nut trees, supplement with feeders.
Feeders: Keep feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds, nyjer for finches, and suet for woodpeckers and chickadees.
Pollinator gardens: Nectar-producing flowers like columbine, penstemon and fuchsias support hummingbirds and the broader ecosystem.
Fresh water: Clean water is important year-round. From my own experience a small fountain attracted goldfinches who now visit annually.
Creating Shelter for Birds
Birds need safe places to nest, roost, and hide from predators. A diverse, layered garden structure mimics natural habitats and encourages birds to stay.
Plant dense evergreen trees and hedges to provide year-round cover and nesting sites.
Dead trees, branches and brush piles offer nesting cavities and shelter from harsh weather.
Nesting sites: Some birds build their own nests while others use birdhouses. Choose species-specific designs and maintain cleanliness.
Bird Safety
Layered garden design: Give the birds a ladder approach to entering your garden. Tall trees provide scanning perches while smaller trees and shrubs create safe hopping points.
Reduce window strikes: Position feeders carefully to minimize collisions.
Keep cats indoors.
Maintain hygiene: Clean feeders, birdbaths and bird houses regularly to prevent diseases spreading. I also think it is prudent to wear gloves when you are doing these tasks.
Personal Experience: The Joy of Bird Activity
This past week, I noticed finches and chickadees taking refuge in my red-twigged dogwood and foraging in leaf litter. To support them, I added a suet feeder to my persimmon tree. Within two days, activity soared. Activity draws more birds — when they see a thriving environment more will come.
As climate change and extreme weather disrupt habitats, gardens can provide essential food, shelter and safety. The welcoming space you create becomes a safe haven for wildlife, and birds will reward you with a deeper connection to nature—bringing moments of joy and contentment as you watch them flit, sing, and thrive in your garden.
Enjoy the wonderful birdsong in your garden!