Native and Migratory Birds rely on our resources
Birds
Learn how you can create habitat for nesting and migratory bird species in your own backyard and cities.
Bird Populations: Habitat protection is our duty.
Creating a backyard bird sanctuary in Logan is a rewarding project that supports our local ecosystem. By designing for the specific climate and wildlife of Northern Utah, you can help our native bird populations thrive.
Here is a step-by-step guide tailored for creating a successful sanctuary in Logan.
1. Water: The Year-Round Essential
In Logan’s high-desert environment, reliable water is often more attractive to birds than food. It is crucial for both drinking and bathing (which keeps feathers insulated and clean).
|
Action |
Instructions |
Local Tips |
|
Install a Bird Bath |
Use a shallow basin (1–2 inches deep) with a rough surface for grip. Clean it and refill with fresh water daily. |
Place it near cover so birds feel safe, but far enough away that cats can’t sneak up. |
|
Maintain Winter Water |
This is critical. Local birds can die of thirst in winter when all natural water is frozen. Use a de-icer or a heated bird bath. |
Look for models that turn on automatically when temperatures drop below freezing (common in our long winters). |
|
Add Movement |
A “wiggler” or small solar dripper creates ripples. The sound of moving water can attract birds from far away. |
The drip or ripple also discourages mosquitoes from breeding. |
2. Year-Round Shelter and Nesting
Birds need protection from Logan’s weather extremes (sun, wind, and winter snow) and predators. They also need secure places to raise their young.
|
Requirement |
Instructions |
Logan-Appropriate Plant List |
|
Evergreen Cover |
These are vital for winter survival, providing essential shelter from heavy snow and wind. |
Juniper, Pine (e.g., Pinyon), Spruce(e.g., Colorado Blue). Yew (avoid poisonous yews; consult a nursery). |
|
Deciduous Shrubs |
Dense shrubs create secure pathways and lower-level nesting sites. Think vertically (layers of plants). |
Chokecherry, Serviceberry,Woods’ Rose, Skunkbush Sumac, Golden Currant, Sagebrush. |
|
Nesting Boxes |
Install boxes with the correct hole size for local cavity nesters. Place them 10–12 feet high, facing east or south. |
For Chickadees, House Wrens, Nuthatches, and potentially Tree Swallows or Mountain Bluebirds (in more open areas near the foothills). Clean boxes annually. |
|
Natural Mess |
Leave a corner with leaves and twigs. Ground foragers like Juncos and Towhees love this. A small, dry brush pile is ideal for quick escapes. |
Place the brush pile in a quiet, undisturbed area. |
3. The Diverse Food Menu
A variety of feeders and natural sources will attract a wider diversity of bird species throughout the changing seasons.
|
Feeder Type |
Target Birds |
Instructions |
Local Notes |
|
Tube/Hopper (Sunflower Seed) |
Finches, Chickadees, Jays, Nuthatches, Juncos. |
Use Black Oil Sunflower Seed(the single best food for the highest number of birds). |
We have many Black-capped Chickadees and Juncos year-round. |
|
Suet Feeder |
Woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy, Flicker), Chickadees, Starlings. |
Suet provides high-calorie fat. Use the standard wire-cage feeders. |
Essential for winter survival. Buy “no-melt” suet for warm spring days. |
|
Nyer (Thistle) Feeder |
American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, Pine Siskin. |
Use Nyer seed in special fine-mesh “sock” feeders or metal mesh feeders. |
Goldfinches are very common, but thistle can spoil in our dry air, so put out smaller amounts. |
|
Hummingbird Feeder (Seasonal) |
Broad-tailed, Black-chinned Hummingbirds. |
Make your own food: 4 parts water to 1 part refined white sugar(boil to dissolve, let cool). |
Hang feeders in late April (we can see the first arrivals then). Clean weekly.(Do NOT use red dye). |
|
Seed Scraps (Ground) |
Morning Doves, California Quail, Juncos. |
California Quail, our unofficial state bird, will use a low-to-the-ground tray feeder or just clean ground under your primary feeders. |
Scatter food in the morning near cover. |
Your Local Calendar: Seasonal Management
Our seasons create unique challenges and opportunities for birds in Logan.
Spring (April – May):
- Action: Hang Hummingbird feeders. Install and clean Nesting Boxes. Clean up all winter seed debris under your other feeders (mess attracts rodents and can spread disease).
- Birds: Watch for arrivals of Orioles (oranges work!), Hummingbirds, and nesting activity from Chickadees and Finches.
Summer (June – August):
- Action: Focus on Fresh Water. Clean bird baths daily. You can offer high-protein mealworms for busy parents raising chicks.
- Birds: Many goldfinches, lazuli buntings, and families of young birds. The California Quail “chattering” is common.
Fall (September – October):
- Action: This is the migration highway. Keep your standard Sunflower and Suetfeeders full. Prepare your heated bird bath setup.
- Birds: Migrants stopping over, like Cedar Waxwings and various Sparrows. Juncos (often called “snowbirds”) will arrive in flocks from further north.
Winter (November – March):
- Action: Your two priorities are Suet (high energy) and Heated Water (critical survival). Clean feeders after any snowstorm.
- Birds: Your faithful resident birds: Chickadees, Juncos, American Goldfinches, Steller’s Jays (sometimes), and woodpeckers. Northern Flickers are very visible.
Logan-Specific Considerations
- Predator Defense: We have thriving populations of neighborhood cats, raccoons, and even some small hawks.
- Cats: Do everything you can to discourage outdoor cats from your yard. Place feeders 10–12 feet from any brush or cover to eliminate sneaking.
- Windows: Window collisions are a top killer. Use visible decals, special film, or tape patterns (lines 2 inches apart) on large windows near feeders.
- Disease: Northern Utah can occasionally have outbreaks of Avian Flu or other diseases. CLEANLINESS IS KEY. Wash feeders every other week in a 10% bleach solution and rinse completely. If you see multiple sick birds, take feeders down for two weeks.
- Local Expertise: For more localized advice and to find specific native plant nurseries, visit your local nature centers, like the Logan Canyon Nature Center, or consult with Utah State University’s Extension Service.
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