Is your backyard the avian equivalent of a desert, where birds pass through on their way to more a hospitable habitat? Or is it more like a comfortable, well-stocked oasis, where they can settle down and raise a family? Use these eight time-tested strategies, and a wider variety of birds are sure to find your lodgings more to their liking. Before making improvements, inventory the birds that currently visit your property. Keep a species list throughout the year; in late spring, conduct a dawn censusof singing birds-these are the birds ready to nest. Map out your property before management efforts begin. Record your most conspicuous trees, shrubs, and plant communities, property lines, buildings, wetlands, changes in slope, and existing bird feeders. Then, plan the changes that will make your property more bird-friendly. Your plan will depend on the size of your property, available finances, and the birds you hope to attract.
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