Giving Up on the Bird House

For decades I've spent soo much money on bird houses. Visions of parent birds constructing a beautiful nest inside these dwellings and fledglings emerging and taking flight is a romantic idea. What did these creatures do before man intervened with unnecessary, decorative constructions? Birds set up home in a location that was appropriate for their needs.

My last birdhouse, installed about 7 years ago, has been yearly attacked by woodpeckers, snakes and squirrels! In the meantime, on my daily walk around the garden, I have found bird dwellings in dense hedges, trees and on the ground. Some have found unusual locations to build nests, such as the robin taking up residence in a back door wreath.

I've supplied all that these creatures need, throughout the seasons, that an artificial home can never give. It's fascinating to watch the tiny woodland birds dart in and out of the brush pile, right on the forest edge. I know there are numerous homes deep within. The meadow is well established so ground dwelling birds nest there. The shrubs and evergreen trees have thickened up so a variety of feathered friends have moved in.

Along with vegetation, I've provided year round fresh water and winter feeding. Having such a myriad of birds in the garden creates natural pest control. The swallows swoop among the dragonflies voraciously eating gnats and such. The Bluebirds are handling my crawling insect population very well.

Establishing a safe, year round environment for our birds creates a habitat that we all can benefit from. No birdhouse required!