One of the pleasures of living on Cape Cod is watching the birds. We are blessed to have a wide assortment of birds that live here year round, seasonally, or pass through. But since much of the Cape has been developed with landscapes that aren’t very bird-friendly, it’s important to support these feathered creatures in as many ways as we can. This is especially important as we go into the winter when food, water and shelter can be scarce. This week and next week we’ll talk about ways we can not only help the birds, but enjoy their kaleidoscope of color and movement that brings us so much joy.
Feeding Birds
Shelter For Birds
One of the best ways to provide shelter for birds is by planting a diverse selection of plants in your yard that are allowed to grow to a variety of heights. Allow some landscaping to grow in thickly, with plants touching as they do in wild areas. Birds take shelter in micro-climates that are protected because of thick growth. If you have space in your yard for a brush pile, it will not only be a place for you to stack downed branches or your old Christmas tree, but it can provide good shelter for birds as well.
Be sure your bird houses are cleaned at this time of year, since mice frequently move into these shelters in the fall. Evicting the mice will allow birds to occasionally take cover in nesting boxes during a storm.