In my personal garden, I have set aside a small area for our feathered friends. These friends, especially the migrating ones from way up north, need a sanctuary. Here are the steps I took to make my bird sanctuary.
First, I started by adding a feeder and bird bath. I use the common feed, consisting of milo, cracked corn and sunflower seed. Additionally, I planted plant material that will add shelter, perching and other herbaceous food supply.
For perching, I planted an American wild plum. The plum will also have delicious fruit for them. I also added a white birch tree. This tree is perfect for perching at different elevations; it also has catkins, which the birds can feed on during winter.
Lastly, I planted plants that provide shelter in a thicket form and with fruit: California wild rose, common blackberries, ‘Roger’s Red’ California wild grape, Rhus trilobata or skunk bush Japanese red leaf barberry and Vanhoutte spiraea (white bridal breath).
