Attracting birds (and wildlife) on a budget - looking for tips! (1 Viewer)

[caravan67]

The property I should soon be moving into will have a suitably-sized garden (yay!), which is, unfortunately, grass-free (boo!).

I am looking to attract as many birds (and assorted wildlife) as I can, and would be really grateful for any budget-friendly tips on how to do so.

Thank you in advance!

 

[MiddleRiver]

We have a fair bit of wildlife within view of our home and I believe the following helps:

• diversity of 'habitat' - tall dead trees, low dense shrubbery, trees with seasonal forage/berries, open 'yard' with native grasses (ideally)
• water - we have a small stream, but I believe a bath or tub or something with water is a definite attraction
• feeders - yes, it's cheating, but suet in winter and some seeds will attract a lot of birds that would otherwise be seldom/harder to view
• minimize predators (keep housecat in ;-)

There will be others, I'm sure, with more specific and authoritative comments! I suggest telling something about what the space is like - urban, rural, climate, location, etc.

 

[caravan67]

Thank you, @MiddleRiver! Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do in terms of grasses and trees, but water and birdfeeders are definitely something that can be sorted out. I don't own a cat, so that's one thing I don't have to worry about!

It's a small UK town - there is a tiny "city centre" not too far with shops and such, but so are fields and woodland!

 

[KC Foggin]

Will you be scattering grass seed in the Spring or is that not possible?

 

[MiddleRiver]

...if grass not possible, I suspect planter (even large ag type tubs) with plants could help. Vegetation = bugs and bugs often = birds (or are fun to watch in their own right... e.g. pollinators).

 

[PYRTLE]

A small pond, for birds to drink and bathe, insects to visit...perhaps dragon or damselflies. A patch of simple wildflowers, clover etc for bees, even in pots. Log pile for bugs. Two types of nest box - an open fronted alongside a hole entrance, using offcuts if you are okay with DIY. Couple of feeders.

 

[caravan67]

Thank you, all! I've got plenty of ideas thanks to your help, I will start to plan it out and hopefully, by the time summer comes the garden will be much more bird/wildlife-friendly.

@KC Foggin - unfortunately, that won't be possible. It's a rented property as well, so I won't be able to make any changes to the actual ground surface (some sort of tiling).

 

[KC Foggin]

@KC Foggin - unfortunately, that won't be possible. It's a rented property as well, so I won't be able to make any changes to the actual ground surface (some sort of tiling).

That's too bad Fae cause grass attracts a lot of insect eating birds.

 

[leonardo_simon]

“Rewild”

Let stuff grow - don’t tidy too much - etc

 

[caravan67]

I know, @KC Foggin! It's really less than ideal, but it looks like I'll have to do the best I can with planters. I'm hoping to plant some wildflowers!