Many birds visit the Coachella Valley in the winter. Make your backyard a wildlife oasis

Maureen Gilmer
Special to The Desert Sun
The desert has it's permanent hummingbird population while winter brings migratory species in for our season.

When snow birds return to the desert from northern climes, migratory birds are arriving here from all over the Americas.

We have a rare inland climate that supports active bird populations throughout the winter months. This is the payoff for living here, because while everywhere else it's dormant and cold, the birds and bees also enjoy the winter sun and warm days. Invite them to your house with all kinds of party favors and they'll hang around indefinitely to brighten every morning with their cheerful presence.

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This is one of the best reasons to add a small fountain, bird bath or natural pool to your landscape so there is a strong presence of water. Birds are attracted to both the sight and sound of moving water, so even the smallest re-circulating pump can turn your yard into a far more irresistible draw than static calm pools. Keep in mind that there is a lot of open water in our desert cities, but most of it is chlorinated or treated and not safe or suitable for wildlife. That's why your contribution is so important to them.

Birds such as orioles, black phainopepla, and finches nest in our natural desert oases, but they will happily choose more sheltered digs in residential areas where there is plenty of food and water in the vicinity. Black and yellow Orioles began nesting in my palm tree soon after we set up a water source a few years ago. We've seen multiple generations born here, so the extended family returns every fall to nest and breed at my house.

Permanent feeders become well known to local birds that add these stop to their daily route.

With all these birds coming into town, there's keen competition for food. When you set up a bird feeder in your yard they will find it and make your house a regular stop on their daily activities.  Be sure to set yours up in a spot that's visible from your most often used windows. My ability to watch the birds come to feed outside while in my comfortable reading chair brings bird activity into everyday reality. Hang one outside your office window and enjoy them while you work.  One of the best places is outside the kitchen windows for entertainment while you do dishes.

Wild bird seed goes a long way to lure avian visitors of all kinds. If you're in a naturalistic environment, scatter it for ground nesting quail or in open spaces where it's easy to fly in and peck around. Feeders that hold a lot of seed reduces the frequency of refilling. The biggest problem with bird feeders is the spilled seed. If there is enough moisture or irrigation, the seed will sprout into unwanted weeds. This is why it's helpful to hang feeders where you can sweep or rake up the spillage easily.

Garden centers offer these tidy little bags and seed to attract brightly colored finches.

Consider buying a finch feeder net and the black thistle seed they covet. This instant easy set-up can go anywhere, and these plucky little birds with return time and again for a perpetual show.

Hummingbirds also are drawn to water with the other birds, but they only hang around because of food sources. This can be hanging feeders in front of windows or a garden full of plentiful red-colored flowers such as autumn sage, bat faced cuphea and aloes. Plant enough flowers and they will come in droves without ever refilling a feeder.

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The key to this strategy is to make your backyard a mini wildlife oasis. Provide them with all the shelter, food, water and predator free surroundings, so they’re encouraged to nest nearby. Your home becomes a modern version of Palm Canyon oasis or the Morongo Preserve, a famous winter bird watching destination known the world over.

Oreoles weave their nests underneath the palm frond so babies have fresh air and shade all the time.

 With so much growth in the valley, creating a backyard oasis is a great way to help compensate for the habitat lost when they built your house. Return that postage stamp piece of desert to its original land use, as habitat for birds and other wildlife. The result is a future filled with life, bright colors, perpetual animation and a population of seasonal visitors all your own.