A great way to attract birds to your yard is to put out water features. The best ones have running water of some sort- such as a cascade or mister. Even a hole in a hose running over the basin can do the trick. Having such moving water can greatly increase the amount of traffic a bath receives.
Baths should be shallow, and ideally be on the ground near plant cover. If they are elevated, try to make them seem like they are part of a raised ground surface, such as a ledge or embankment.
One great advantage of water is that it can attract birds that will never be attracted to feeders.
To whet your appetite, here are three pictures from a yard in Harahan that is well equipped with water features. The first remarkable photo shows a crowd of seven Tennessee Warblers joined bathing by a single Northern Parula- taken late last month. The photographer said more than twice this many Tennessees were clustered in and around the bath at once. The other pics are of a male Wilson's Warbler (yellow), and a shot of a male Summer Tanager (red) bathing with an Indigo Bunting (brown and blue). Notice the natural settings simulated by these baths- not just a pedestal out on the lawn!
Good birding!
Peter
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