Bird_Boy
Member
Hi all,
I'm trying to set-up a small backyard area to attract birds, preferrably Northern Cardinals, Nuthatches, and whatever else I can get.
My small backyard is basically barren....no shrubs or trees, except that a year or two ago I transplanted a couple of Japanese Maples from my dad's yard back there, but they are only around 6ft and the branches won't support birds hardly at all (IF at all). I was thinking of a hopper feeder, a bird bath, and maybe add some shrubs (closer to the house) and/or smaller growing evergreen(s) a little further from the house. I do want the birdfeeder and the birdbath relatively close to the house, so I can see the birds good.
Question 1: I would like to provide some sort of reasonably attractive perch thing that birds could use as a stopping off place before they hit the feeder (or bird bath), or while they wait to hit the either. Do they even make such a thing? If so, can someone give me a website where I could check out what type of options are available?
Question 2: Is lack of shade going to prevent me from drawing in the birds I'd like to attract (cardinals, nuthatches, etc.)? I think my options are pretty limited in the way of providing shade in the near future. Anyone have any suggestions for providing some shade that isn't an eyesore? My neighborhood has some moderately intrusive restrictive covenants and I don't want to draw the ire of neighbors anyway.
I got into birding via photography, and I love it. I have other places to go to photograph the birds, but it sure would be nice to attract a better variety around my own house. Any help is appreciated.
I'm trying to set-up a small backyard area to attract birds, preferrably Northern Cardinals, Nuthatches, and whatever else I can get.
My small backyard is basically barren....no shrubs or trees, except that a year or two ago I transplanted a couple of Japanese Maples from my dad's yard back there, but they are only around 6ft and the branches won't support birds hardly at all (IF at all). I was thinking of a hopper feeder, a bird bath, and maybe add some shrubs (closer to the house) and/or smaller growing evergreen(s) a little further from the house. I do want the birdfeeder and the birdbath relatively close to the house, so I can see the birds good.
Question 1: I would like to provide some sort of reasonably attractive perch thing that birds could use as a stopping off place before they hit the feeder (or bird bath), or while they wait to hit the either. Do they even make such a thing? If so, can someone give me a website where I could check out what type of options are available?
Question 2: Is lack of shade going to prevent me from drawing in the birds I'd like to attract (cardinals, nuthatches, etc.)? I think my options are pretty limited in the way of providing shade in the near future. Anyone have any suggestions for providing some shade that isn't an eyesore? My neighborhood has some moderately intrusive restrictive covenants and I don't want to draw the ire of neighbors anyway.
I got into birding via photography, and I love it. I have other places to go to photograph the birds, but it sure would be nice to attract a better variety around my own house. Any help is appreciated.