How to Make a Bird Feeding Sanctuary

Attract birds to your back yard by creating a bird feeding sanctuary. Plan the sanctuary out on paper before beginning the project. Native birds in your area will need food, water, shelter and protection from predators. Provide a fence around the sanctuary if your area has dogs or other animals you feel could cause harm to wild birds. Avoid disturbing the new sanctuary at first. Once its ready, let the birds settle in.

Things You'll Need

  • Bird bath
  • Bird feeders
  • Wild birdseed
  • Flowers
  • Blooming shrubs
  • Berry bushes
  • Fast-growing trees
  • Bird houses
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Instructions

    • 1
      Isolate bird baths to provide sanctuary from predators, including cats.

      Set a bird bath in a sunny area, making it the central or focal point of the bird sanctuary. Concrete or ceramic bird baths are sturdier than plastic and will last longer, however, plastic or fiberglass units work well in warm months. Place the bath in a flat area in your garden or yard and fill it with clean warm water each day. The bath will also provide drinking water for wild birds. In cold months, place a small waterproof heating element to keep the unit from freezing.

    • 2
      Clear bird feeders provide safe feeding for several birds at a time.

      Hang a variety of bird feeders in the vicinity of the bird bath. Hang them on trees or poles to provide easy access for you and the birds. Fill bird feeders with wild birdseed appropriate for a variety of wild birds. Monitor the bird feeders and keep them full. Once birds begin feeding in your bird sanctuary, they rely on the food source you are providing.

    • 3
      Pyracantha branches attract and provide shelter for hummingbirds.

      Plant berries, such as blueberries and viburnums. Winter berries needing repeated frosts to become edible will help attract wild birds to your sanctuary. Berry bushes provide food and shelter for birds making their home in your sanctuary. Roses with good hips are recommended for garden bird sanctuaries, according to Woman's Day online.

    • 4
      Allow seedheads to form to provide wild birds with nesting material.

      Plant bushes with colorful blooms, native to your area. These items will attract insects which in turn, attract wild birds. Leaves that fall onto the ground provide the perfect scratching ground for birds as they search for insects.

    • 5
      Avoid disturbing nests by using binoculars or zoom camera lenses.

      Plant fast-growing tall trees around the bird sanctuary. Sentinel birds will watch for danger from tree tops while other wild birds are dining and bathing.

    • 6
      Nail bird houses to tree trunks.

      Hang or set up bird houses in trees or on poles within or around the bird sanctuary. Depending on your location, set up bird houses for birds native to your area. Avoid using bird houses created for craft shows, painted brightly. Many bird houses created for craft shows are meant for decorative uses only and do not have appropriate holes or nesting needs for wild birds.