Spring Garden Prep to Welcome Back the Birds
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Spring will be here before we know it, and the birds will be making their way back after long migrations, ready for a busy season.
So prep the garden now. Get it in shape to attract and support them, and turn it into a haven with a sign out front that says, "Welcome back! Refreshments and nest materials available upon arrival."
1. Take inventory
Before early spring hits, take a stroll through your yard and look for the mature plants, like trees and shrubs, that are already doing a great job of giving birds shelter and nesting sites.
Then think about adding native plants, including local flower and vegetable seeds you can sow, which are magnets for seed-eating birds and beneficial insects.
For an extra planning boost, sketch out your garden layout (in one of my stylish Better with Birds notebooks, of course). A sketch helps you see where feeders, water sources, and nesting boxes could go, so you make the most of the space and cover all the essentials.
Call it a little recon mission. You'll learn what you're working with and what you still need to add to make your garden a bird paradise.
What to look for
- Tall trees and dense bushes, which are prime real estate for nesting.
- Open spaces. They're great for ground feeders, but consider adding native shrubs or wildflowers to break things up.
- Potential nesting zones: branches, hollow logs, or even forgotten corners with brush piles.
- Water sources. Is that old birdbath still standing? Great. But is it clean? Eh, we'll get to that.
Pro tip: learn your spring regulars
Which species show up in your yard in spring? It matters, because different birds prefer different environments. Cardinals love taller, dense shrubs. Bluebirds gravitate toward open spaces.
2. Tidy up (a little)
Winter can leave your yard looking like a bit of a wasteland. Don't go full clean-freak.
Birds love a bit of wild chaos, since that's where they find food, shelter, and building materials. A pile of dead leaves and twigs might look like a trash heap to you. To a bird, it's a treasure chest.
Start by removing the obvious hazards: plastic and other trash, plus anything moldy. Then focus on the high-traffic areas of your yard, and leave a few natural "messy zones" of leaf litter and old stems for ground-feeding birds and other critters.
If you're trimming trees or shrubs, do it strategically, because birds may already be scouting for nesting spots and a sudden trim could upend their moving plans.
Stagnant water? Dump it. Tall grass where ticks thrive? Trim it back.
What to leave, and when to trim
- Twigs and leaves? Keep 'em. Birds use them to build nests, and dead leaves harbor tasty insects for ground-feeding birds.
- Leave a few leaf piles and brushy areas for birds to forage in. Messy zones make a bird buffet.
- Cutting back shrubs or trees? Do it early. Many birds scout nesting spots weeks before they lay eggs, and disturbing them mid-construction is, frankly, rude.
- Check for fledglings before you mow large patches of grass. They leave the nest before they've mastered flight, and they need that grass cover for protection.
Pro tip: fledglings on the ground
See a fledgling on the ground? Don't panic. This is normal, and the parent birds are usually nearby, feeding and watching over it. Only intervene if the bird is visibly injured or in immediate danger.
Photo: thejustinmueller / Shutterstock
3. Get your plant game going
Replace boring turf grass with wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and other plants native to your area.
Natives give birds everything they need: food (seeds, berries, and tasty insects), shelter, and nesting materials. They're usually more drought-tolerant and pest-resistant, too, so you'll spend less time watering and more time out with your birding binoculars.
Not sure where to start? Look up a native plant guide for your region. Aim for plants that produce seeds, berries, or nectar at different times, so the birds always have something to snack on.
And think vertically. Birds love layers, and low ground cover, shrubs, and taller trees all serve different purposes.
Thorny or dense shrubs, like hawthorn or blackberry, are especially good at giving birds safe shelter from predators.
Planting checklist
- Go native with wildflowers, berry bushes, and native trees. They attract local insects and provide the seeds and fruit birds love.
- Think in layers: ground cover, shrubs, and taller trees. Birds thrive on that mix, because it offers food, nesting sites, and protection from predators.
- Choose plants that bloom at different times to keep food sources steady year-round.
- Dense, thorny shrubs make nesting sites that are practically predator-proof.
Pro tip: ornamental grasses
Consider ornamental grasses. They provide seeds in winter and double as shelter for ground-nesting birds.
Photo: encierro / Shutterstock
4. Give 'em shelter
Thick shrubs, a variety of trees, and brush piles all give visiting birds a protective home. Some birds, though, prefer a move-in-ready spot.
So install a birdhouse or two. Or three. I like this simple Sisterbird birdhouse.
Does the entrance hole fit your local species? It matters. Pick boxes designed for the birds in your area, and place them in quiet, shady spots away from high-traffic areas (birds aren't fans of nosy neighbors).
Secure each box tightly so it doesn't swing, and clean it out before the nesting season starts. If you're feeling crafty, building your own nesting box is a fun weekend project.
More ways to help birds nest
- Different birds prefer different styles. Wrens love simple, small birdhouses, while robins prefer a platform to build on.
- Leave some sections of your yard natural, with brush piles, fallen logs, or untrimmed grass.
- Raccoons or snakes raiding nests? Install birdhouses with metal baffles to deter them.
Pro tip: tilt the entrance
When you install a birdhouse, tilt the entrance slightly downward so rain stays out, the nest stays dry, and the tenants stay happy.
Check that the birdhouse has drainage holes at the bottom and ventilation holes near the top, too, since birds appreciate good airflow just as much as you enjoy a breeze in the summer.
5. Roll out the bird buffet
Fill your feeders with a variety of fresh, high-quality bird feed. Variety brings in the widest range of birds.
Black-oil sunflower seeds are a staple. They're nutrient-dense and appeal to almost all seed-eating species. Add nyjer seed for finches, peanuts for jays, and suet cakes for woodpeckers.
Got hummingbirds in your area? Clean your feeders and stock up on sugar. Skip the red dye. It's so last season.
A simple nectar recipe of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar will do the trick. Clean the feeder every 3 to 5 days to prevent fermentation, and once the weather starts warming up, clean it even more often, at least every other day.
If you're catering to ground feeders like doves or sparrows, sprinkle millet or cracked corn in open areas, as long as your yard is free of feline predators.
Want to go above and beyond? Offer dried or live mealworms in a tray feeder. Robins, chickadees, and wrens find them irresistible.
Setting up the buffet
- Variety matters because different birds have different dietary preferences. Insectivores like warblers may skip feeders in favor of live insects, so plant insect-attracting plants alongside your feeders to cater to more species.
- Hang feeders at different heights: tube feeders for finches, suet feeders for woodpeckers, and ground feeders for sparrows. You get a multi-level buffet that mimics natural feeding behavior.
- Leave dead flower heads on plants through fall and winter. Birds like finches and sparrows will happily pick at them for seeds.
- Keep feeders clean and seed fresh. Moldy or stale food can harm birds, so check regularly and replace as needed. A consistent, well-stocked buffet keeps the regulars coming back and draws in new birds, too.
Pro tip: hummingbirds eat bugs, too
Hummingbirds eat small insects for protein, on top of nectar. Hang one near flowering plants and you'll attract both nectar-eating and insect-eating species.
6. Offer fresh water
Water is just as important as food, especially in spring, when birds are migrating and nesting. No birdbath yet? It's time to add one.
How deep? Choose a shallow model, no more than 2 to 3 inches deep, so birds can wade in safely. (I'm a sucker for pretty things, and this birdbath sure is pretty.)
If you're going for a spa oasis vibe, add a dripper or a birdbath fountain to keep the water moving, since birds are attracted to the sound of running water and moving water stays cleaner longer.
If you live in a colder area, consider a heated birdbath to keep the water from freezing. Yes, that's an option, and yes, the birds will thank you.
Clean birdbaths regularly, because a dirty one can spread disease. A quick rinse and scrub with water every few days will keep it sparkling. Skip the soap.
Where to put the water, plus a few extras
- Place birdbaths near shrubs or trees but not directly under them. Birds get a quick escape route, and the water stays clean.
- Some ground-feeding birds, like robins and sparrows, prefer shallow puddles. Try a low, wide dish near brush piles or beneath bushes.
- Got the space? A small garden pond with shallow edges can double as a water source and attract dragonflies (which also eat mosquitoes).
Pro tip: add flat stones
Set flat stones inside your birdbath. They give smaller birds and butterflies a safe place to perch.
Photo: Steve Cymro / Shutterstock
7. Avoid pesticides
Pesticides might seem like a quick fix for garden pests, but they can do more harm than good. They harm birds, beneficial insects, and other wildlife, and they throw your garden's ecosystem out of whack.
Go for natural pest control instead. Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, nature's pest control squad.
Companion planting is another good strategy, since marigolds deter aphids while dill and parsley attract helpful bugs.
For weeds, try mulching or good old-fashioned hand-weeding. It's a bit more work, but it keeps your garden safe for birds and other critters.
How skipping pesticides helps birds
- Many birds rely on insects to feed their young, especially during nesting season. Take pesticides out of your garden and you preserve the insect population that species like wrens, bluebirds, and chickadees depend on.
- Caterpillars are a major food source for fledglings. Let native host plants grow, and you'll have a steady supply of insects.
- Birds can help, too. Purple martins and swallows catch flying insects on the wing, so welcome them in.
Pro tip: secondary poisoning
What's secondary poisoning? It happens when birds eat insects that were exposed to pesticides. Letting nature handle pest control reduces the risk.
8. Keep an eye on cats
As much as we love our fluffy feline overlords, cats are one of the biggest threats to backyard birds. In the U.S. alone, outdoor cats kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds each year. Yes, billion.
The best solution? Keep cats indoors, or if they go outside, use a leash or give them a secure "catio" so they can enjoy the outdoors while the birds stay safe.
Cat-proofing your yard
- Bell collars aren't enough. Despite the common myth, a bell on your cat won't fully protect birds, because cats are stealthy hunters and many birds don't associate the sound of a bell with danger.
- Place bird feeders and birdhouses at least 10 to 12 feet from dense shrubs or fences where cats could hide and ambush.
- Motion-activated sprinklers or lights startle cats and discourage them from stalking birds in your garden.
Pro tip: the neighbors' cats
No cats at your house? Your neighbors may still have them. Don't assume birds are safe from cats just because none live with you.
Photo: Melody Mellinger / Shutterstock
9. Track your visitors
Now for my favorite part: backyard birdwatching. Once your yard is ready, grab a pair of binoculars and start tracking who shows up.
Keep a birding notebook or use a birding app to record your sightings, noting the species, the time of day, and any interesting behaviors you see.
Want to go high-tech? Set up a bird feeder camera to capture candid bird moments. Who knows? You might spot a rare species or catch some unexpected bird drama unfolding in your yard.
For an extra feel-good bonus, share your sightings with citizen science projects like eBird or Project FeederWatch, where your records become useful data for bird conservation efforts.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's BirdCast tool is worth a look, too. It lets you check bird migration forecasts in real time.
Pro tip: trail cameras after dark
Trail cameras placed near feeders can capture close-up shots of nighttime visitors, like owls or nocturnal songbirds passing through.
A note on fledgling safety
Once the chicks hatch, spring becomes about keeping them safe, and fledglings (baby birds that have left the nest but can't fly well yet) are especially vulnerable.
- Skip the mowing for now. Fledglings often hide in tall grass, so delay mowing until they're more mobile.
- Stack branches and leaves into brush piles to give fledglings safe hiding spots from predators.
- Know when to step in. A fledgling on the ground doesn't automatically need help, since the parent birds are likely nearby, still feeding and watching over it. Only intervene if it's visibly injured or in danger from pets or cars.
Ready for the birds
With a bit of effort, your garden can go from bleak winter wasteland to a springtime paradise that birds can't resist.
Native flowers and other plants make the garden prettier and easier to care for, and their bright colors help attract birds. Plus, selfishly, you'll love the sight and sound of these backyard birds flitting about.
So grab your gardening gloves and prep those feeders. Get ready for a spring full of bird drama, aerial acrobatics, and maybe even some unexpected guests, because if your garden doesn't say "Welcome, birds," what's even the point of spring?
Free tool from Better With Birds: Enter your ZIP and see which birds are likely at your feeder this month. Based on public bird-occurrence records. Free, no email.
From the BWB shop, for the backyard birder
Spring is the time to add native plants for birds that will feed and shelter them all year.
