I was having my shredded wheat this morning and staring out our kitchen window watching the various birds (gold finch, woodpeckers, cardinals and sparrows) feeding at our feeders. A couple of robins were searching for worms in the lawn. As I watched and thought about all the work that needs to be done in our flower beds, I kept thinking about the birds and the few squirrels that inhabit our yard.

Another thought occurred, just because it is spring many people quit supplying seed to their feeders thinking that the birds can forage for their own food. They don't know what they are missing as spring brings out their prettiest singing and color of the year. If there is a food supply, the birds will try and find a nesting spot close to the food source. By continuing to supply fresh seed you are encouraging nesting right in your own yard.

Several ingredients are needed to promote nesting birds in your yard: shelter, food, dripping water for drinking and a bird bath for bathing. You will need to provide the proper environment such as shrubs and trees for the birds to nest and hide in from predators. A couple of great selections for shrubbery would be  choke berries, viburnums and sumac.