Birdscaping Your Balcony

In this intense June heat, are you missing your feathered friends? Maybe you are getting your 'bird-fix' by feeding the birds or maybe you are leaving a bowl of water on your windowsill or like me, have meticulously created a bird-zone in your balcony, where you love to spend all your free hours.
For me, it's a year-round practice - to plant bird-feeders and place a water bowl in the shade, and then to wait for my winged friends. It’s a treat to watch the birds take a dip in the bowls and drink to their hearts’ fill, as they flutter their wings in joy. Large birds store the water in their beak and take it to the chicks while the small ones wet their wings and feathers and rain it on their offspring. I simply sit and watch the avian celebration.

Are you interested to create a 'bird-zone' in your backyard or on your terrace or maybe even in your balcony? In houses with no garden, one can still attract birds by keeping some potted plants with bright flowers and a bowl of water. The idea is to create a shaded place where our winged friends can take respite from the heat, quench their thirst, and twitter around in peace. And yes, make sure the place is not frequented by people. It’s important to be patient and wait for the birds to visit. They inspect the place for safety before choosing to stop there. Some yards seem to be magnets for birds. Providing a variety of delectable bird food in various types of feeders at numerous locations, plus a freshwater source are key features in such locations, but the setting of those features is every bit as important. Providing a landscape that is safe and alluring to birds is an essential element in attracting diverse species. Not all songbirds are seeds, fruits, or suet eaters though; so think outside the bird-feeding box and go through these birdscaping ideas to create a stopover for the winged ones, in your backyard!

WATER
Why is it essential to have a birdbath?
—During the hot and dry season, other water sources may dry up or stagnate, so your freshly-filled, clean birdbath will be an instant beckoner to the backyard birds. Once they discover your water source, your visitors will return! With friends! And their babies!

How your birdbath can help birds the year-round?
—Wild birds need water for drinking and bathing all year round. By maintaining your birdbath year-round, you’ll have a seasonal front row seat to watch wild birds at their best. From parents introducing their squeaky juveniles to ‘the local pool’, to weary and thirsty migrants stopping for a rest on their way through. This is backyard birding at its best!

How to choose a birdbath?—Think shallow! Birds don’t swim! (Except for Ducks and other water birds, duh.) Two to three inches is perfect. If it’s deeper than 2″ add a flat rock or two to give birds safe choices.
More water, more birds! If there’s a traffic jam at your birdbath, add another one! They'll love you for that!

Where to place birdbaths?
*Make sure your garden hose is handy and reaches your bath for easy filling and rinsing.
*Putting your birdbath in a shady spot will slow down evaporation and help keep the water cooler.
*If possible, place it where there is some protective cover nearby (but not too close). This gives birds a safe place to wait for their turns to drink or bathe and it gives wet birds a safe place to preen after bathing. It’s also a place for them to flee if there is danger.
*Place your birdbath where it’s visible from your favorite sitting place for unlimited opportunities for bird watching.
*Your birdbath may need to be topped off more during hot weather or after a visit from a crowd of vigorous splashes!
*If there are cats roaming free in your neighborhood, keep birdbath out in the open away from places where cats or any other predator can hide and attack.

How to maintain a birdbath in the summers?
Keep your birdbath clean. Rinse and refresh often, almost daily, during the hot months of summer. Don’t wait until the water gets murky! If you see the water is discolored or there are algae, scrub with baking soda, lemon juice, or white vinegar and then rinse well. Never add chemicals to the water. It’s not healthy for your birds and it will definitely make things a little less pleasant for yourself. Just a little bit of diligence and dedication will go a long way in strengthening your bond with your winged friends!
If you’re worried about mosquitoes, here are reasons why a well-maintained bird bath won’t breed mosquitoes:
Birds eat mosquito larvae! No self-respecting bird will leave this tasty treat behind.
Mosquito larvae take a minimum of 7-10 days to hatch. As a conscientious host, during that time you will have freshened the water several times.
Mosquito larvae tubers will drown due to the frenzied, bathing activity of your guests and the timely refilling and freshening you do. If after filling and freshening you’re still concerned about mosquitoes, add motion to your birdbath water with a water-wiggler or mister.

FOOD

All creatures need to eat. Bird feeders are the best way to supply offerings to the feathered masses.
Scatter different styles of feeders containing different types of foods to attract the widest variety of songbirds. 
Bird feeders attract lots of birds, especially during summer. Not only do adults need to keep feeding themselves, but they now have babies to feed, too. Make it easier for them by providing a consistent, food supply.
Nutritious summer foods include black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, nyjer (thistle), suet, mealworms, jelly, and fruit.
Fruit-eating birds, like Rose Ringed Parakeets and Cuckoos, especially love mango and cherries. 
For Hummingbirds, fresh nectar is essential! 
Feeders should be emptied and rinsed (No soap!) two to three times a week—or sooner if the nectar looks cloudy and should be refilled with fresh nectar. 

Keep a Clean Habitat
Clean feeders matter! Check regularly for mold and clumpy seeds, particularly after lots of rain and humidity. Hot soapy water is great for seed feeders. Soak. Scrub. Dry well. Refill. Keep shell debris at a minimum under your feeders, even if it doesn’t bother you. Accumulated shells carry mold that can be deadly to ground-feeding birds. Shell-free sunflower seeds can be an excellent feeding option and it’s loved by all seed eaters.

Insect-Eaters and Pesticides
Remember our insect eaters! Birds feed their babies insects almost for the entire time while they are in the nest. Please reconsider the use of pesticides and “green lawn” chemicals, especially widespread spraying for mosquitoes, as these pesticides kill all the beneficial insects and caterpillars, too! Pesticides have decimated our butterfly populations. A healthy population of beneficial insects is critical for a healthy backyard habitat. 

SHELTER
Birdhouses:
Birdhouses come in many shapes and styles. They all offer essentially the same thing — shelter. Place these around your yard to invite birds to nest.
Clean the birdhouses/nest boxes after each brood. Cavity nesting mama birds have 2-3 broods a season and prefer a clean house for each brood! 
Keeping peace and quiet! Don’t prune during the nesting season. Shhh! Mama is busy in there with her second or even third brood! So, please be aware and delay your heavy yard work until Autumn, if possible. 

If you live in a farmhouse or a countryside where you have large open space for birdscaping, here are few more recommendations —
Berry Bushes:
Berry bushes satisfy two of the essential categories of bird necessities: shelter and food. Many berry bushes provide a natural cover for your backyard songbirds as well as a supply of tasty food. Not only will many of your feeder birds enjoy sampling the berries, but songbirds that don’t visit feeders may seek food at the bushes as well.

Evergreens:
These are very important to backyard birds. Evergreens are great for offering shelter during the sparse winter season and providing nesting sites during the summer. For some birds, evergreens can also provide food such as sap.

Nesting Materials:
Birds need resources when it’s time to build a nest. While they often can forage these from the plants around your home, you could also provide them with useful materials. Put out a basket containing yarn, cloth strips, wool and grass to encourage nesting in your yard.

Deciduous Trees:
While they will become bare in late fall and winter, deciduous trees offer great cover and plentiful nesting sites during the spring and summer seasons. Songbirds will also enjoy the variety of food they can retrieve from these trees such as a variety of nuts and insects.

Fruit Trees:
Similar to berry bushes, fruit trees serve the purpose of providing food and shelter. Birds love to nest in these trees and enjoy the convenience of having sweet fruits abounding nearby.

Whether you’ve got a balcony in an urban area or sprawling acres in the countryside, the elements to attracting birds are essentially the same. No matter where you live, birds require food, water, and shelter. By following these simple “birdscaping” tips, you can make your yard a desirable haven for your feathered friends!