Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio/podcast show: What’s keeping birds from your landscape?
I have been so fortunate to get quite a show from the variety of birds in my landscape. From Downy woodpeckers to Blue Jays to Chickadees, Catbirds, several Cardinal couples, finches and more. 
This spot is excellent for bird watching. the french lilac gives birds a place to sit, honeysuckle vine has been planted to attract more hummingbirds. My neighbor’s Oak tree is great cover, there’s my crabapple to the left not pictured. The grasses and flowers are all attractors!But what if you don’t get much action even when putting out birdseed. So what’s going on? One listener asked me how she could attract hummingbirds, then mentioned she has two cats.
Sometimes that’s a problem. However I’ve noticed the neighborhood cat in my yard a LOT and still have plenty of birds. The rabbits seem to be more a favorite. Yes, he’s still a predator but apparently not a successful one!
Many people don’t like insects in their yard, so they use chemicals. Well, birds LIKE insects but the chemicals will kill them. Birds might consume chemical granules, and chemicals can contaminate feeders, baths, or local water supplies.
Even used properly, chemicals can eliminate resources birds need. Bread scraps are equivalent to avian junk food. Just don’t.
Landscape fabric doesn’t allow birds to get at those tasty worms. While they don’t allow weeds, they don’t allow weeds to grow and feed birds either.
Use thick layers of wood mulch to at least allow an opportunity for worms and even a few weeds! Birds would love to hang out at your place if you provide them with opportunities, not obstacles.
Keep feeders and bird baths clean. Keep the feeders full but clean them regularly. The Avian Flu is not an issue right now but still, keeping those feeders clean is important.
Check out feedthebirds.com for a LOT more information on birds and the feed they love.
