Now that Spring is blooming and warm Summer days are looming, I can wake each morning to one of my favouite sounds, the songbirds are returning to their Summer habitat. This can have a downside though as the birds tend to rise up and greet the dawn sometime before I do.

I do find this only a mild annoyance though and one that I am willing to endure for it does not last all that long. In a short time the birds have moved further North to settle into their Summer homes.

You can encourage the songbirds to stop and stay a little longer both on their journey North and in the Fall on the way South, through selective planting of trees and berry bushes that are native to your region. This way you provide food and shelter for the birds on their journey.

Songbirds also devour insects such as mosquitoes. A bird feeder or two can give them a reason to visit your yard. This can be especially useful if you are unable to plant the trees and bushes they need.

Tomorrow, we will look at some planting choices that encourage the birds to hang around and delight our  senses throughout the season. Do you garden for the birds?