How to Increase Backyard Biodiversity

This is an extremely exciting time of year, with spring migrants arriving and moving through the region as blooms and bugs soar in numbers. Something that I often notice during this time of year, is that some of the birds I am most thrilled to see are not necessarily feeder birds. Meaning, that they do not traditionally visit bird feeders or eat seeds. For example, warbler numbers rise as they migrate through, but they typically feed on bugs. So how do we attract the "non-feeder" birds to our own backyards? Along with pollinators such as gorgeous Monarch butterflies and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as they return to the region.

1. Put Up Nest Boxes: even if a species is not enticed to come to feeders, they may still choose to nest on your property if you provide a nest box. This season, I personally have some House Wrens nesting on my property, they never visit our feeders but are happy to use the dwellings!

House Wren using a birdhouse 

2. Plant Native Plants: this one is paramount!! Native plants help species thrive and greatly increase your backyard biodiversity. Even leaving dandelions serves to help Honey Bees in early spring when not much else is blooming. Other plants such as Common Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Cardinal Flower, Blue-eyed Grass, Wild Bergamot, Black-Eyed Susan and Giant Ironweed create habitat and food for pollinators in the form of nectar. You will not only help sustain Monarch butterflies and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds along with other pollinators, but you are also far more likely to be able to observe them! We offer these plants for order from the store.

Giant Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea)

3. Have a Water Source: this is always key for attracting more life. Water sustains us all and birds need water just as we do. Whenever I am out birding I often notice that birds are most dense near water sources. If you have a birdbath, that alone can draw in more species.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak enjoying a heated birdbath. Photo by Leanne LeBlanc

4. Offer Live Mealworms: for warblers, a springtime visitor that we are delighted to see, mealworms are a great option. They are insect-eating birds that are in need of fuel during migration, providing this source may attract them to stop in your yard. Other exciting spring visitors such as Baltimore Orioles and Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks love them too. You can always add mealworms to any order from the store.

Female Baltimore Oriole and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak enjoying mealworms 

5. Offer Oranges and Bird Jelly: many of you are already aware of this, but stunning spring visitors such as Baltimore Orioles love fruit and are attracted to oranges and BirdJelly. The sight and sound of orioles in your yard are truly wonderful. Further, a number of other birds are attracted to these offerings- we have even had sightings of Scarlet Tanagers stopping for some Bird Jelly!! Found here.

Baltimore Oriole eating BirdJelly out of an Oriole Flower Feeder 

Overall, the larger variety of food and habitat that you are able to provide, the wider range of species you are likely to attract. This includes birds that often visit feeders and those that do not. Pollinators are also beautiful additions to any yard and supporting them is important for our ecosystems to thrive. As we are all spending more time at home this season, it is more important than ever to make your space your sanctuary. Increasing your backyard biodiversity is a great way to learn more about nature and enjoy it thoroughly.


Warmly, 


Heather