Last month we received our certification as a Bird Sanctuary.
We have five seed feeders, 4 suet cages and plenty of natural habitat and foods. Four Bluebird nesting boxes and dozens of bushes with nesting sites.
Over the years I have built a 1200 gallon pond with sand (for grit) and rock on a natural bottom. A huge Yew bush about 50 years old, spreads it's branches out some forty feet wide over it. Those and the Alberta Spruce trees give plenty of cover and nesting sites. Trees of Oak, Walnut, wild Plum, Ash, Redbud, Autumn Olive and American Holly give shelter and fruit.
I only have a 1/3 acre lot but it holds 51 trees of 16 different species. Plus an abundance of blooming shrubs and perennial flowers.
The cedar fence is grounded throughout and keeps feral cats away. We have five in the house but they never go out. House cats are the number cause of songbird species demise so getting certified meant having all the elements, food, shelter, and water plus an absence of feline inhabitants.
All of the walls of our sunroom are glass so we sit for hours watching the wildlife in our little bit of Eden. Half of the bird feeding area was blocked by the three Alberta Spruce trees you see in post#1. So, I moved them. Now, instead of blocking our view, they are the backdrop.
I move trees and shrubs all the time. A skill that comes in handy given the woman with whom I live.. "Honey, wouldn't the couch be better over on that wall," becomes, "Honey, I believe that Spruce would be better over against the new fence."
She's right you know. I should have planted it there in the first place. What was I thinking?
Pics below are of the upper Patio our garden and the pond last summer before renovations. You cannot see the water but it is directly under the big Yew.
The blue tent is protecting the construction site of the new "Beer Garden" alongside the garage. 24' X 11',,,,;It's for family gatherings and BBQ.